Day 28, World Cup 2010: “I saw Puyi and I thought… this one’s a goal”

Running right alongside Brazil 2014, this is my day-by-day story of how Spain won the last World Cup. You can catch up on previous posts.

These stories are from Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja’s Historic Treble, by Graham Hunter

Three Days Until the World Cup final

The press conference is packed, there are about 20 languages being spoken and Carles Puyol is holding court. No, he will not confirm whether he is going to retire after the competition. Yes, it was his idea to come up with that rehearsed move at the corner, when his header from Xavi’s delivery put Spain into the final.

He is not enjoying the focus being solely on him, at least until his semi-naked post-match appearance in front of the Queen is mentioned. “It’s the first time she’s been in our dressing room and if I wasn’t only wearing a towel, I’d have gone down on one knee.”

Xavi is as confident with words as he is with the ball. “I swear, I knew it was a goal from the moment my boot made connection with the ball from the corner. Somehow I just knew. I looked up, saw Puyi and thought, ‘don’t miss this one, this one’s a goal’.”

Night time is a hoot. Now, instead of 100 people there are 2000 at training. The locals, wrapped up in blankets, mufflers, gloves, ski jackets and balaclavas, are joined by media crews from Japan, China, USA, Australia, France, England, Mexico, Argentina, Germany and South Africa.

Some of the players have a little game of crossbar challenge from the halfway line and Víctor Valdés wins out of sight, hitting four times.
 

 

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