Chelsea, who won the FA Cup and EPL title last season, began their pre-season with a match against Championship side Crystal Palace. The match would be the return of injured player Michael Essien, who had missed most of the previous season.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea Recap

Chelsea started off their pre-season without many of their top stars but still got a 1-0 win.

The goal for Chelsea came around the 58th minute as Michael Essien would score with a low shot. Overall, both sides made many substitutions allowing virtually all the available players to get on the pitch.

Chelsea will next play Ajax in a friendly match next Friday.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea Match Stats

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech (c) (Turnbull 31 ((Hilario 60))); Bruma (Chalobah 76), Alex (Cork 60), Van Aanholt, Bertrand; Mikel; Essien (Clifford 60), Matic (Kaby 76); McEachran (Lalkovic 60); Di Santo (Sinclair 60), Sturridge (Tore 76).

Below are more details from a press release via ESPN.

World Cup Final Draw Over 15 Million Viewers

Sunday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Final on ABC – a 1-0 victory by Spain in extra time over the Netherlands – ranks as the most-watched Men’s World Cup game ever. Based on Fast Nationals from The Nielsen Company, ABC’s telecast delivered an 8.1 household rating, 9,389,000 households, and 15,545,000 viewers for the two-hour game window (2:30-5 p.m. ET). Only the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final (U.S.-China from the Rose Bowl) averaged more households and viewers for a soccer game – 11,307,000 and 17,975,000, respectively.

Additionally, the Final ranks as the fourth highest-rated Men’s World Cup game on record, behind the 1994 Italy-Brazil Final (9.5 rating), the 1994 U.S.-Brazil round of 16 match (9.3), and the 2010 U.S.-Ghana Round of 16 game (8.5). Sunday’s game also ranks behind the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final, which delivered an 11.4 rating. The 8.1 for Netherlands-Spain is a 6% increase from the 2006 Italy-France Final (7.7 rating, excluding pre- and post-game coverage).

The top 10 metered markets for Sunday’s four-hour telecast (including pre- and post-match programming) were: San Francisco (14.7), San Diego (13.6), New York (13.1), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (12.0), Washington, D.C. (11.9), Los Angeles (11.3), Austin, Texas (10.4), Seattle-Tacoma (10.0), Cincinnati (9.5), and Boston (9.1).

Video highlights of the match can be found here.

Video highlights of the celebrations after the match can be found here.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup final featured two sides who had never won the title as the Netherlands faced Spain. The Dutch have played in two previous finals while it was the first for the Spaniards.

Netherlands 0-1 Spain Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Netherlands 0-1 Spain Recap

It was a match that appeared to be heading for penalty kicks but a late goal in stoppage time would give Spain the win.

Both sides would have very good chances in the match but neither would convert. Arjen Robben had probably the best chances but could find the back of the net. It was a match that could have seen two or three goals in regular time but each side couldn’t finish in the final third.

Spain as usually had most of the possession while the Netherlands were dangerous on the counterattack. In the end, the Netherlands failure to convert their great chances would come back to haunt them. The match would go to extra time and was scoreless until the 116th minute. Andres Iniesta would score to give Spain the 1-0 lead they would hold onto.

They are the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions and it will be yet another loss for the Netherlands in a final.

Netherlands 0-1 Spain Match Stats

The Netherlands will face Spain in the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The live blog below will be providing live coverage of the match. You can also share your comments and follow along the live blog as you watch the match. The live blog will begin about 15 minutes before kick-of or 19:30 BST, 14:30 EST.

Netherlands v Spain – Live Blog

The Netherlands are into their third FIFA World Cup final as they will face Spain. They’ve lost their previous two finals but can they change that Sunday? How exactly did Holland make it into the final? Let’s take a look back at their matches in the group stage and in the knockout stage.

Group Stage

2-0 win over Denmark – Not a great start for the Dutch but they still got the win.

1-0 win over Japan – Their second win in two matches as they earn a second straight clean sheet.

2-1 win over Cameroon – Holland clinches the group title with this win.

Round of 16

2-1 over Slovakia – A solid win that only appeared closer because of a stoppage time penalty for Slovakia.

Quarterfinals

2-1 win over Brazil – The best performance by the Dutch in this World Cup which shows they are real contender for the title.

Semifinals

3-2 win over Uruguay – A little bit of a let down after the win over Brazil but second half goals from Robben and Sneijder lead the way.

Spain is now one win away from winning the ultimate prize of the FIFA World Cup trophy. They started off slow in this tournament but since then have won every match and improved. So, how did Spain make it to the final? Let’s take a look at their matches in this World Cup that led them to this point.

Group Stage

0-1 loss to Switzerland – A poor start in their opening group stage match.

2-0 win over Honduras – A solid victory that put them in position to still win the group.

2-1 win over Chile – Not the most convincing win but still a victory that gave them the group title.

Round of 16

1-0 win over Portugal – A solid performance against another European side.

Quarterfinals

1-0 win over Paraguay – Another win where Spain had to be patient but would eventually get a late goal.

Semifinals

1-0 win over Germany – Their best performance of the tournament (up to the final) where they were the better side.

Germany once again would play in the World Cup third place match as they faced South American side Uruguay. It was a disappointing result for Germany to lose in the semifinals while Uruguay have exceeded expectations and had a great World Cup.

Uruguay 2-3 Germany Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Uruguay 2-3 Germany Recap

Germany would come from behind in the second to finish third in the World Cup for the second time in a row.

It was match that would go back and forth but ultimately the Europeans proved to be the better side. The goals for Germany came from Thomas Muller in the 19th minute, Marcell Jansen in the 56th minute, and from Sami Khedira in the 82nd minute.

For Uruguay, the goals were from Diego Forlan in the 51st minute and Edinson Cavani in the 28th minute. Uruguay almost leveled the match in stoppage time as Forlan has a penalty kick that hit off the post.

Even though they lost, it has to be considered a successful run for Uruguay. Germany will be satisfied to finish the tournament with a win.

Uruguay 2-3 Germany Match Stats

The Netherlands and Spain are both going for their first ever World Cup title as the two teams meet in the final. The match will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday, July 11, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:30 BST, 20:30 local time in South Africa, and 14:30 EST.

It will be televised on ABC in the United States, CBC in Canada, SBS in Australia, BBC One & ITV 1 in the United Kingdom, TF 1 in France, ZDF in Germany, RAI Uno in Italy, SuperSport in Africa, and on Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Netherlands v Spain Preview

It’s the biggest match every four years as the FIFA World Cup comes to a close with the final. It’s once again an all-European match with the Netherlands facing Spain. Neither side has ever won the World Cup so it will be a historic win for one of the sites.

The Dutch have been in the final twice but lost both of those. The first was in 1974 where they lost to West Germany who were led by Franz Beckenbauer and the second was in 1978 against Argentina. Both times Holland lost to the host nation but that won’t be the case on Sunday.

Spain has improved in every match since their loss to Switzerland to start the group stage. They were one of the favorites heading into the tournament and made it to the final despite getting little from striker Fernando Torres. The Liverpool striker has showed a lot of rust and was dropped from the starting line-up in the Germany match. While Torres has struggled to find his form, David Villa has been a forced with five goals scored in the tournament.

For Holland, their best player has been creative midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The Inter Milan player has a chance to win an incredible four trophies this season (already won UEFA Champions League, Italian Cup, & Italian Serie A). Along with Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt, and, Robin Van Persie will be in the attack for the Netherlands.

Spain is a team that plays a very similar style to FC Barcelona. This is no surprise considering many players on Spain also play for the La Liga side. Spain will play a style that allows them to dominate possession with their dynamic passing ability. The Germany match showed how they were able to eventually wear down their opponent and found an opening on a set piece. Usually, Spain will score through a series of great passes through Xavi, Andres Inieista, and David Villa.

Paul the octopus, who has received publicity for his correct predictions in Germany’s matches, has predicted Spain to win the final. This really doesn’t mean anything but maybe he’s onto something.

Spain are the favorite heading into the match but can they handle the pressure of their first ever World Cup final? Will the Netherlands finally win the World Cup in their third try?

Despite both sides have plenty of firepower, a low scoring final seems more probable than one with four or five goals. While a Netherlands victory wouldn’t be a shock or major surprise, Spain are the deeper and better team. They still haven’t really played their best football in this World Cup and if they can repeat their performance against Germany, it should be their first title.

The victory in the Euro 2008 tournament has given Spain the confidence and belief they can win this World Cup. If it was any other side, the Netherlands would likely be favored but unfortunately they are playing the best team in the world. But then again, few thought the Dutch could be Brazil so it’s not out of the question to upset Spain.

Competition Stats

Betting Odds

Netherlands win – 11/4

Draw (after 90 minutes) – 21/10

Spain win – 11/10

Netherlands v Spain Prediction

Spain will win the match 1-0.

Watch Netherlands v Spain Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

Germany will once again play in the third place match of the World Cup as they face South American side Uruguay. The match will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Por Elizabeth, South Africa on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:30 BST, 20:30 local time in South Africa, and 14:30 EST.

It will be televised on ABC in the United States, CBC in Canada, SBS in Australia, SuperSport in Africa, Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East, RAI Uno in Italy, TF 1 in France, ARD Das Erste in Germany, and on ITV 1 in the United Kingdom. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

Uruguay v Germany Preview

Uruguay heads into the match with a lot of optimism while Germany remains disappointed they once again lost in the semifinals. Germany played in the third place match in the 2006 World Cup and is a nation that always is aiming to win the title. Uruguay hasn’t won the World Cup in decades and has exceeded all expectations with their run into the semifinals.

The main threat for Uruguay has been Diego Forlan who has been one of the top players in the tournament. Luis Suarez, who had the handball against Ghana in extra time, is the other offensive threat for Uruguay. He hasn’t been as consistent as Forlan but capable of moments of brilliance such as his goal against South Korea.

Germany is a young team but continues to be a consistent side in the World Cup. Along with their youth, the experienced striker Miroslav Klose has four goals in the tournament and 14 in his entire World Cup career. Other players who had impressed are Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinstieger.

It’s a match where Germany should have more possession and Uruguay will rely on counterattacking chances for Forlan and Suarez. Can Germany recover from the disappointing loss against Spain in the semifinals? Does Uruguay have one more win left in them during this World Cup?

Paul the octopus, who predicts the World Cup matches, did choose Germany to win this match. He has correctly chosen all of Germany’s matches and appears to be on track for this one. Germany are the better team and should be motivated to end the World Cup with a victory.

Competition Stats

Betting Odds

Uruguay win – 7/2

Draw (after 90 minutes) – 13/5

Germany win – 8/11

Uruguay v Germany Prediction

Germany will win the match 2-1.

Watch Uruguay v Germany Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.