Less is more than enough
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Johannesburg, June 12: Spain needed just eight goals to win a first ever World Cup Sunday, the lowest tally for any nation since the introduction of the group phase and Round of 16 system in 1986.
Andres Iniesta’s extra-time strike against the Netherlands at Soccer City secured a fourth 1-0 victory in a row for Vicente del Bosque’s side and also means Spain head home as world champions with only three players having managed to score in South Africa.
David Villa’s five goals accounted for over half of Spain’s tally while midfielder Iniesta managed three, leaving the goalscoring hero against Germany, Carles Puyol, as the only other player to have made it on the scoresheet. Brazil’s 11 goals when winning the 1994 title is the second-lowest total while, in contrast, the Selecao managed 18 in 2002.
Iconic Iberians
* It was sixth finals have gone into extra time, with 2006 and 2010 being the only time it has happened in consecutive World Cups. The other four deciders to feature extra time were in 1934, 1966, 1978 and 1994.
* Spain became the eighth nation after Brazil (five times), Italy (four times), Germany (three times), Argentina (twice) and France and England (once each) to win the World Cup.
* Four of of Spain’s four knockout matches ended in 1-0 wins for the Iberians. This makes them the first team ever to keep clean sheets in all four of their knockout matches en route to the Trophy.
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