The final match of the 2010 World Cup was played between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11th, 2010. The match ended with a total of 14 yellow cards and 1 red, the most ever handed out in a World Cup Final.

But the foul that had most people talking came during the first half when Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong kicked Spain's Xabi Alonso in the chest. Many called it a "karate kick," a "kung fu kick," and others made cracks about how football was becoming like Mixed Martian Arts.

Although Spain won the Cup, many afterwards published stories commenting on the rough play and poor conduct of the Netherlands' team, especially on de Jong himself.

• Is Nigel de Jong the Dirtiest Player in the World? (the Orlando Sentinel)

• Nigel de Jong's Karate Kick on Xabi Alonso (The World Cup Blog)

• This is FIFA! (The Daily What)

• Nigel de Jong vs. Xabi Alonso – Epic Kick (The Next Web)

Related Entries

To browse other memes based on replay footage of various football matches, check out the following entries:

• KYMdb – Zidane's Headbutt
• KYMdb – Peter Crouch Can Do Anything
• KYMdb – Robert Green FAIL
• KYMdb – Arjen Robben Ball
• KYMdb – Diouf Trips
• KYMdb – Muteba Kidaba's Dance