Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa. World Cup. July 11, 2010. Andrés Iniesta was going to mark a before and after in the history of Spanish football and sport. The Manchego, In the 116th minute of the final of the final against Hollandhe scored the goal that allowed Spain to proclaim himself for the first time in his history. A star that looks pride in the chest today fifteen years later and that serves as inspiration for new generations.
That goal of Andrés Iniestasung lung by each and every one of the Spaniards, not only gave its first World Cup to Spain, but also meant the culmination of the success achieved by a golden generation that Two years before he had conquered the Eurocup and that he would repeat title in 2012.
Today, Friday, July 11, 2025, 15 years of one of the most memorable deeds of Spanish sport are turnedthat threw thousands of fans into the streets to celebrate the first and only world conquered by the Red so far. A legacy that continues to inspire the new generations, who wear the selection shirt With the desire to double the star in the chest.
The 23 members of the Spanish world champion team in South Africa 2010 / EFE
Los Lamine, Nico and Company -The new golden generation of the red that already conquered the Eurocup Last year in Germany- they dream of repeating the deed and re-elevating Spain to the top of world football in the tournament that will be played in The United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
The goal that all the Spaniards sang
Iniesta's echo continues to resonate in the heart of all Spaniards, an indelible moment that would not have arrived without The Anthological Paradón from Casillas to Robben And without a play that practically all football fans in the country remember Detail in detail.
That Cashed from Jesús Navas by the right wingthat ball divided in the center of the field that falls to Iniesta himself, which Heel is left to Cesc Fàbregas. That imprecise pass of the now coach of the fact that, however, it falls to Navas. The opening of the Sevillian for Fernando Torreswhich launches a shipment to the area Clear by Van der Vaart In that way.
Iniesta hit him with the strength of an entire country / EFE
And the culmination of a feat that changed the history of Spanish football forever. Cesc, the smartest of all, was attentive to the rejection of the Dutch defense to give Iniesta the goal of his life. That oriented control, that somewhat high ball that stopped the watches and stopped time, That endless sigh and that volley with the right hand that not only carried the strength of Fuentealbilla, but that of an entire country.
An unrepeatable generation
The eleven of that final can be recipient by memory: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Puyol, Capdevila; Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Xavi; Iniesta, Pedro and David Villa. Con Fernando Torres, Navas and Cesc entering from the bench. But the first star would not have been possible without a generation of 23 players commanded by a Vicente del Bosque that raised Spain to the top. From Pepe Reina until David Silvagoing through Víctor Valdés, Marchena, Albiol, Javi Martínez, Arbeloa, Mata and Fernando Llorente.
Iker Casillas rises the world champion trophy / EFE
They all contributed their grain of sand in a tournament that did not paint well for Spain, which fell into his debut against Switzerland. Who was going to tell Del Bosque that the defeat was going to be key in the future of the competition. From there, six victories. 2-0 to Honduras, 2-1 a Chile, 1-0 a Portugal, 1-0 a Paraguay In that agonizing match with Casillas as Salvador against Cardozo and Villa as a hero, 1-0 against Germany With an immense flight of Carles Puyol and the already historic 1-0 to the Netherlands -As well, the Paul octopus– With all the bench running to celebrate Iniesta's goal, Dedicated to his great friend Dani Jarque who died a year earlier.
What was the world champions in 2010?
Of the 23 members of the world champion workforce, Only six are still active fifteen years later. After the goodbye of Jesús Navas last December, The last to announce his withdrawal was Pepe Reina. “I'm already empty, I can't offer football more from this position,” said the mythical goalkeeper last May in a documentary. At 42 and after more than 25 seasons in the elite, the great 'animator' of the red costumes put the end point to a successful race.
Of the six players still active, Only Pedro Rodríguez remains in one of the most powerful leagues in the worldwith permission from Raúl Albiol. The one who was a Barça player will fulfill his fifth season in Lazio after previously passing through Rome and Chelsea. At 37 he still has rope for a while.
The alignment of Spain / EFE
Two of the headlines on July 11, 2010 have sought a last great contract in American football. Sergio Ramos (39 years) It remains a central guarantees in the Mexican Monterrey, while Sergio Busquets (36 years) He left the MLS two years ago, Inter Miami de Leo Messi.
Juan Mata (37 years) He opted for an even less competitive league to complete his career as a professional footballer. The one who was Valencia and Manchester United midfielder militates at the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. And without equipment they are Javi Martínez (36 years old) and Raúl Albiol (39 years old). The former Athletic and Bayern Munich Javi Martínez (36 years old) is without a team at the end of the contract with the Qatar SC, while Albiol has revealed his intention to continue playing football despite having discouraged this same summer of Villarreal.