The origin of 'tiki-taka' - it all started with Sergio Ramos!

Jack Ottman 7 years ago 7.4k
The defender started the movement which changed the history of Spanish football. TVE

10 years have passed since Spain's work of art against Denmark, finished off by Sergio Ramos. A goal which followed 1 minute and 15 seconds of possession, 65 touches of the ball, 28 passes and a cool finish which changed the face of world football.

On 13th October 2007, the now captain of the Spanish national team capped off the move in Aarhus which kickstarted the style of play which still dominates the sport a decade later.

Maybe only Luis Aragones knew what the Spain side would be capable of, because he was under a lot of pressure ahead of the qualifier for the 2008 European Championships, but his side slowly started to deliver, starting with the clash against Denmark.

'La Roja' had to win in Denmark to secure qualification to the tournament in Austria and Switzerland and in the meantime, Aragones had another problem in his dressing room. Leaving legendary striker Raul out of the team had unleashed a huge amount of criticism to the already under-fire boss.

However, while the problems were building up for the 'Sage of Hortaleza'. Spain started to produce some of their best football, the ball flowed throughout the pitch and each pass cut through Denmark until Ramos acted as the spark for the age of the 'tiki-taka'.

After the goal, two European Championships and one World Cup followed, and a new way of understanding the beautiful game became a key part of any football education as the style was imitated worldwide.

Mentioned in the news story

EC Qualifying
Sergio Ramos