Spain are the World Cup champions!

Andres Iniesta scored the final's only goal in extra-time to claim a first World Cup for Spain. The Red Fury fully deserved the victory against a hard tackling Dutch side, and clinched the most important trophy in World football with a goal four minutes from time.Fernando Torres, who was brought on for strike-partner Villa at the start of the second period of extra-time, had a hand in his country's winning goal. A cross from the striker fell to Fabregas who passed to Iniesta for the Barcelona man to finish.

Vicente Del Bosque named an unchanged side from Spain's win over Germany in the last four, unlike his Dutch counterpart, who made two changes to the side that started against Uruguay in the semi-finals. Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong returned from suspension to replace Boulahrouz and De Zeeuw in the Dutch starting XI.

Spain made a confident start to the contest, taking the game to the Netherlands from the kick-off. Stekelenburg produced a good save to deny Sergio Ramos on 5 minutes. The defender out-jumped his marker to head a Xavi free-kick goalwards but the Dutch keeper managed to palm Ramos' effort away. All the play was taking place in the Dutch half as Villa shot into the side netting with Spain's next chance.

Holland were playing to the limit, as the game turned into a stop-start affair. Van Bommel was shown a yellow card for a very strong challenge on Iniesta as the Orange continued to use tough tackling tactics to stop Spain from playing their normal slick passing game.

The Netherlands were somewhat fortunate to still have eleven men on the pitch after a reckless challenge from De Jong on Xabi Alonso. The Dutch midfielder caught his adversary full in the chest with a reckless high boot. Sneijder then left his foot high on Busquets, but the Inter Milan player escaped a booking.The Red Fury also had Ramos and Puyol booked in what was a highly contested first-half.

Chances for both sides were at a premium. A good run from Pedro ended with the Canary Islander shooting just wide and Robben had a shot tipped around by the post by Casillas in Holland's only real effort on goal.

There were no changes at half-time as both sides continued with their respective gameplans. Van Bronckhorst and Heitinga were both carded as Spain came close to scoring. Puyol flicked-on a Xavi corner at the near post, but the defender's header just evaded Capdevila at the far post.

The best chance of normal-time fell to the Netherlands on 62 minutes. Robben was sent clean through on goal by Sneijder, but Casillas did brilliantlly to keep out the

winger's left-foot effort. Although the keeper had dived down to right, the Spain number 'one' managed to divert Robben's shot was an outstretched leg.

The game was slowly opening-up. A cross from Navas made its way to Villa, but Heitinga somehow managed to deflect the forward's strike from three yards out over the

bar. The Spain number '7' then had a shot deflected behind for a corner in their next attack. The European champions were looking favourites to score as Ramos headed over when unmarked in the box.

Holland were still looking dangerous on the break, and Casillas had to race off his line to dive at Robben's feet after the midfielder had burst past Puyol. That was the last opportunity for either side before the whistle was blown for normal-time.

Fabregas had Spain's first chance of the first period of extra-time. The Arsenal man ran on to an excellent threaded pass from Iniesta but the midfielder's shot was blocked by Stekelenburg. The Red Fury were getting closer and closer as a drilled effort from Jesus Navas clipped a defender before flying into the side netting.

Cesc Fabregas was again the dangerman as the midfielder skipped his way past three players before letting fly. His right-foot shot flew just past the up-right with the Dutch keeper rooted to the spot.

Fernando Torres entered the fray at the start of the second period of extra-time as Vicente Del Bosque made his final substitution. Holland were soon reduced to ten men as Heitinga was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Iniesta. The defender had hauled down the midfielder on the edge of the box. The Netherlands were now defending with everyone behind the ball as they tried to hold on to the end of extra-time and a penalty shoot-out.

With just four minutes remaining Spain finally got the breakthrough their football deserved. A cross from Fernando Torres fell to Fabregas who spotted an unmarked

Iniesta in the area. The midfielder controlled with his first touch before sending a low shot past Stekelenburg. The European Champions were now seconds away winning their first World Cup.

Spain kept their heads in the final stages, and despite Holland's desperate attempts for an equaliser, the European Champions held on to do the 'double'.


- Match Stats: Holland 0-1 Spain (aet)

Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Bronckhorst (Braafhied, 115), Heitinga, Van der Wiel, Van Bommel, De Jong (Van Der Vaart, 100), Sneijder, Kuyt (Elia, 71), Robben, Van Persie

Booked: Van Persie, Van Bommel, De Jong, Van Bronckhorst, Robben, Van der Wiel

Sent-off: Heitinga 109

Spain:Casillas, Capdevila, Puyol, Piqué, Ramos, Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Fabregas, 87), Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro (Navas, 60), Villa (Torres, 116)

Booked: Ramos, Puyol, Capdevila, Iniesta, Fabregas

Goals: Iniesta,116

PHOTOS: J.A. SIRVENT

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