On Sunday evening a much improved Spain side will meet the most consistent team of the World Cup, the Netherlands, to contest sport’s greatest prize.

After an opening game defeat to Switzerland, the Spanish team now find themselves in the biggest game of their lives. Coming into the World Cup on hot form, Vincent del Bosque’s side have struggled throughout the tournament to find their usual rhythm of play and to assert themselves in games. In particular they struggled against sides who pressed them in midfield, putting their key players, Xavi and Iniesta under heavy pressure. Conversely, in their semi-final against the Germans, the Spanish seemed to have more time on the ball  than in previous rounds and subsequently looked back to their dangerous best. On the back of their semi-final victory they must start as favourites against the Dutch and will be confident of victory in Johannesburg.

Their opponents in the final, the Netherlands, have progressed unbeaten throughout the tournament, displaying a more conservative yet efficient brand of play, previously unknown to the Dutch. Coach Bert van Marwijk has received much criticism from certain areas of the media as well as from the likes of Johan Cruyff, who believe that the Dutch should always subscribe to the principles of entertaining, attacking football.

However, with a 25 game unbeaten run under their belts, the Dutch should not be tempted to to alter their style of play at the last hurdle. The Dutch will undoubtedly face their toughest match of the tournament against Spain. To win they will have to continue their highly organised system of play whilst being sturdy in defence. They will certainly be without the ball for long periods of the game, however, they must exert as much pressure as possible on the Spanish playmakers, giving them an as uncomfortable evening as possible. Wesley Sneijder and his Inter Milan teammates already managed this against the Barcelona playmakers in this season’s Champions League semi-final. His form and confidence that a more pragmatic style of football can overcome the melodic passing of Spain will be vital for the Dutch.

But the form of two other Dutch stars will potentially decide whether the Netherlands will finally claim their first World Cup. Robin Van Persie has been struggling on the comeback from injury. He has looked a shadow of his former self so far (in the mould of Rooney and Torres) and has hardly put one opposition defence under pressure all tournament. He must finally produce and this will have to be on the biggest stage. A player who is always on the periphery of being a world great, finally has the opportunity to prove himself.

Arjen Robben has shown more form in South Africa, scoring two vital goals on the way, but is still not back to his brilliant best. On his day, Robben has what it takes to be the most devastating attacking midfielder on the planet, bursting in from the right-wing. There are some concerns that opposition defences have worked out how to cover his darting runs, but on the counter attack the Bayern winger could prove deadly against the likes of Carlos Puyol.

The Netherlands have so far performed clinically in this World Cup without being overly impressive. If the full attacking prowess of Robben and Van Persie can be added to this more pragmatic style than the Netherlands have what it takes to overcome this vastly talented Spanish side, and to finally fulfill the Dutch desire for World Cup glory.