We’re just a few days away from the 2022 World Cup final, with Argentina set to take on France on Sunday afternoon.
None of the 4 players representing the Toffees in Qatar will be involved unfortunately, with 2014 the last tournament that an Everton player reached the final, in a game that will be remembered for a Johnny Heitinga red card.
Heitinga joined Everton from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2009 in a £6.2 million deal. A product of Ajax’s prestigious academy, the Dutch international had established himself as one of the most promising defensive talents in Europe, making the switch to Goodison Park as a 25-year-old following successful spells in both the Eredivisie and La Liga.
Heitinga’s passion and no-nonsense style made him a fan favorite amongst Evertonians, and is fondly remembered for a shoulder barge on Everton’s current first-team coach Ashley Cole, during an FA Cup tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A run of consistent performances throughout the injury-plagued 2011/12 campaign earned Heitinga the Player of the Season award, as voted by the club’s fan base.
Reaching the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the former Dutch Footballer of the Year was integral in the Netherlands’ run to the final, featuring in every game. Taking on European Champions Spain, the Netherlands were hoping to lift the trophy that had twice previously eluded them at the final hurdle, and with 14 yellow cards shown by referee Howard Webb, it was a fixture filled with late challenges and cynical fouls.
Never one to shy away from trouble, Heitinga already had his name in Webb’s notebook and a foul on Andres Iniesta in the 109th minute earned the Everton defender a second yellow. Down to 10 men, the Dutch conceded a dramatic 116th minute goal, with Iniesta involved once more, as the Barcelona star settled the tie with a memorable strike past Martin Stekelenburg, who would also have a spell at Goodison later in his career.
After 5 years at Everton, Heitinga left Goodison in January 2014, joining Fulham on a free transfer.