SPAIN have reached the final of the World Cup and there is every chance - if you believe the latest prediction from the octopus - that they will win it for the first time on Sunday night.

But even the Spaniards would have to concede they have failed to hit top gear consistently during the finals in South Africa.

Does that make them a poor side? Of course it doesn't. Does that mean they can be accused of lacking a cutting edge? Surely not.

Yet, for some ridiculous reason, following the early exit of the English, the criticism has been hurled in Spain's direction from many directions.

Boring Spain has been the cry from many. What? Utter madness.

Spain play football the beautiful way. With Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta orchestrating the play from midfield, opponents struggle to gain control of the ball.

At times there maybe an over-indulgence in retaining possession on the edge of the penalty area in the final third rather than have a shot on goal, but why change it.

Spain do have that crucial cutting edge, it's ridiculous to suggest they haven't. The mere fact they have reached a World Cup final suggests they must be doing something right in the final third.

Much has been made of the manner of Spain's semi-final winner against Germany - when Carles Puyol headed beyond Manuel Neuer direct from Xavi's corner -as an example of the sort of approach Spain should adopt more often. Why?

Spain tormented a German team that had knocked eight goals past Argentina and England, patiently waiting for the moment to deliver the winner. There was nothing wrong with that.

The ability to effectively play keep-ball is Spain's strongest and most successful tactic, before exploding to life with that one bit of magic which unlocks the world's best defences.

Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas - two of the Premier League's most potent forces - have struggled to make an impact at this World Cup. David Villa, Iniesta and Xavi certainly haven't.

For me, any team possessing a quintet like that, in what ever form, can't be accused of lacking a cutting edge. Even now, as Torres fears he will start the final on the bench, there is every chance he will emerge in the latter stages and deliver the winner.

That's how good Spain are. It's not that they are boring, they are patient. It's not that they lack a cutting edge, it is that they tend to be clinical when their chances finally arrive.

And, finally, it is not that they are frustrating, it is just they have the ability to frustrate opponents with their high levels of self-belief that they can retain the ball.

***** ISN'T it great England have made the final after all in the shape of referee Howard Webb. It's great for the Rotherham official.

Webb deserves the honour, to be watched by around 750m people around the globe, after a confident display at the finals on the back of an indifferent season in the Premier League.

He is the first Englishman to officiate in the World Cup final since Jack Taylor in 1974, when Taylor awarded a penalty to Holland inside the first 60 seconds.

Bookmakers have revealed that Webb can be backed at 250/1 to repeat Taylor's feat inside the opening minute and it is 20/1 he incorrectly awards a spot-kick following a foul outside the box.

There are also numerous other cheeky bets around ahead of the final, with Paddy Power offering 5/1 that the Rotherham official allows a goal that was offside and 25/1 if the officials fail to give a strike that is later proven to have crossed the line.