Johannesburg: An angry and frustrated Netherlands winger Arjen Robben says Spain defender Carles Puyol should have been sent off with 10 minutes from time, as the Oranje lost 1-0 in the final of the World Cup.
The Barcelona stopper made a last-gasp tackle on the Bayern Munich striker, but Robben believes a penalty should have been awarded, and the defender sent off for a second bookable offence.
"When I got my second chance, the referee should have given us a free kick and Puyol a (second) yellow card," Robben said. " He gave the advantage, but there was none as I could hardly move and the goalkeeper (Iker Casillas) was too close already.
"As a player, you always want to go on and especially 10 minutes before time in a World Cup final when you are heading towards the goal.
"When I missed my first chance it was simply my error. I was not patient enough and should have gone around him instead of a poor finish."
The Oranje star was also highly critical of English referee Howard Webb.
"When you play in a World Cup final, you also need a world-class referee," he added.
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