Xavi hails Spanish dream come true

Spain midfielder Xavi described his country’s World Cup victory as a dream come true following their 1-0 defeat of Holland at Soccer City here on Sunday.

Xavi’s club and country team-mate Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the end of extra-time after a drab encounter as Spain added the world title to the European crown they won in Vienna two years ago.

And having also won everything on offer in club football, Xavi now has a full set of international medals.

But being part of the first ever Spanish team to win the World Cup has topped the lot for the diminutive Barcelona man.

“Now we have the trophy it’s difficult to put into words, it’s such an amazing feeling to have the trophy in my arms,” he said.

“It’s a dream come true, especially to win both tournaments, it’s the reward for all the hard work we have put in so far.”

Match-winner Iniesta, who was also named man-of-the-match, was almost lost for words.

“I can’t quite believe it yet. I had the chance to score such an important goal for my team, it’s simply incredible,” he said.

“It’s a small contribution in a match that was very tough, very rough, with all sorts of things happening on the pitch and I think we deserve it.

“We have to feel very proud of each of the members of this squad, from the first to the last.”

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas came on in the second half of normal time to give Spain extra impetus and it was his pass which created Iniesta’s goal.

“It’s a great moment for me and for everyone Spanish, the players, the people. We are all very proud of this,” he said.

“We never thought we could make it and this is something special. When I came on, I was fired up.

“It is has been a difficult tournament for me and I didn’t get to play so much.

“Something inside me was telling me this was my chance. All my family wanted to come and be part of this, I had my chance and I am just very proud to be part of this.

“It has been a hard season, but now it doesn’t matter at all. This is one of the best moments of my life. “Today we are living the dream.”

But there was also a tinge of sadness for Fabregas as he had to console club team-mate and Dutch forward Robin van Persie.

“The first thing I had to do after the final whistle was go to Robin. Instead of celebrating with my friends, I wanted to talk to Robin, because I felt he deserved this as well.

“He has been injured a lot and if it wasn’t us he was playing against, it would have been different. “But as happy as I was, I was also sad for him. He deserved it as well. He just told me congratulations and to enjoy the moment.

“I hope he has has his chance again, because he is a great guy and a great leader.

“He has been really unlucky with injuries and I hope he can have his moment in four years or two years.”

However, Fabregas believes Van Persie may have to wait longer given the next generation of talent coming off the Spanish production line. “We have great players who are coming through and Spanish football is just growing,” he added. “This is the best thing which can happen to a football player. You can’t win something bigger.”

As for where he will be playing next season, Barcelona target Fabregas was ambiguous.

“All I can say is that this is for all the Arsenal players and fans, they are a world-class club. I am an Arsenal player and I am proud to be.” Before Iniesta’s winning contribution, goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas had made two vital interventions to deny Arjen Robben in normal time in one-on-one situations.

“It was sensational, an historic moment for Spanish football. We haven’t yet realised what we’ve done,” said the Real Madrid stopper. “We will after some time. It’s what we’ve wanted since we were little. It’s a special moment, much more moving than winning the European championship.

“It wasn’t easy but with luck we managed to win.”

JOHANNESBURG, Monday (AFP)