He was happy to see us, we were HAPPIER to see him

Whether or not the rumours surrounding his appearance are true, it gladdened my heart to see Madiba beaming his megawatt smile to the full house in Soccer City, Johannesburg and the billions watching on television screens throughout the continent and the rest of the world. As usual, his cameo left us wanting more, but it would have been a travesty for him to have witnessed the skulduggery perpertrated by the Oranje as they sought to disrupt the rhythm of the more technically accomplished La Roja. Thankfully the swift justice that has been meted out during this most historic of World Cups, when moral authority and integrity have been compromised, did not shirk from duty last night and the team that tried/wanted to play football emerged victorious.

Felicitaciones La Roja!! Felicitaciones Campeónes!!

Déjà vu

In 2008, Rafael Nadal won his fourth Coupe des Mousequetaire, his first Wimbledon title and La Roja won their first European Championships in style.

In 2010, Rafael Nadal has emulated Björn Borg again by winning the French Open followed by Wimbledon, La Roja after coming a cropper in their opening match against Switzerland regrouped and steadily improved in subsequent games. Their mastery of possession football came to the fore in the semi-final match against Die Nationalmannschaft where they highlighted the weakness of the latter's counterattacking style - it doesn't work if you can't get the ball and La Roja had the ball 61% of the time. Die Nationalmannschaft expended so much energy trying to get the ball off La Roja that when they did get the ball, they were too tired to do anything useful with it.

I'm with Paul on this one.

Vamos La Roja!!

It's called K-A-R-M-A

La Celeste, you got your just desserts!! You needed to be brought back down to earth after the self delusional rantings of some of your players. Your morality was found wanting and in this most historic World Cup, it should never have been called into question.

Por favor, quédese

Querido Diego

Remember Espagña 1982 and how your frustration at being constantly kicked saw your tournament come to a premature end? Over the next 4 years, you used that experience as motivation for Mexico 1986 and the whole world saw what a motivated Diego can do.

Your first campaign as a World Cup Manager has ended prematurely, but I do believe that once you've had a chance to reflect, you will realise how much better you can make the likes of Leo, Carlitos, Gonzalo, Javier M, Javier P, Otamendi, Sergio with 4 years to prepare - the thought of winning the Jules Rimet trophy on enemy territory should provide you and your players with all the necessary motivation.

Whatever you decide do after discussions with your family, thank you once again for providing us with more unforgettable memories and quotes!

THAT'S how you respond!!

If you arrive at a football tournament as favourites and somehow end up losing your first game despite dominating possession, do you:

1. put on an abject display in the second game?
2. decide not to play for your admittedly wacky, astrology-consulting coach?
3. stick to the principles that brought your first major football tournament?

Fortunately, this was heeded and Spain are now up and running - they can only get better.