Spain Wins World Cup Trophy

(ATR) Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal sealed Spain's first ever world title, defeating Netherlands 1-0 in a bad-tempered World Cup final at Soccer City.

Spain's previous best in the FIFA finals was fourth place 60 years ago.

Iniesta's goal on 116 mins was cruel on Holland who had battled valiantely to take it to beyond normal time but in the end Spain just deserved the victory.

Arjen Robben missed Holland's two best chances, the second on 82 minutes which could have won the match for the Dutch but he squandered a one-on-one with the Spanish keeper Iker Casillas.

It's third time unlucky for the Netherlands, who missed out in 1974 and 1978 to Germany and Argentina,

John Heitinga's sending off didn't help their cause in extra-time. But it was the late introduction of Cesc Fabregas who did the damage, chipping over some tired Dutch defenders to the Barcelona playmaker who shot home from close range. He was named Man of the Match.

Spain's previous best in the FIFA finals was fourth place 60 years ago.

The narrow victory ended Spain's trophy drought in the World Cup and their hoodoo against Holland who they had not beaten since 1983. It was the 10th meeting between the two teams, who have won four each and drawn the other in games dating back to 1920.

Spain become the first European side to lift the World Cup trophy outside the old continent, and add the World Cup to the Euro 2008 title they lifted in Austria-Switzerland. It was the eighth all-European final in the 19 editions of the finals.

South African president Jacob Zuma jointly handed over the trophy with FIFA president Sepp Blatter to the winning captain Casillas.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela made a brief appearance before kick-off, being driven onto the pitch in a buggy to huge cheers from the crowd - more than two-thirds of whom appeared to be supporting Holland. He shook hands with FIFA president Sepp Blatter before leaving to watch the match at home on what was a cold night at Soccer City.

His grandson Mandla Mandela had earliercriticised FIFA for putting too much pressure on the 91-year-old to attend.

Tonight, in their first ever final appearance, Spain had started as slight favourites, after overcoming Germany in some style in the semi-final. After struggling to replicate the flamboyance and flair that won them the UEFA 2008 European Championships, they rediscovered their creative touch and impressed in that game and the win over Portugal.

The Netherlands came into the final after notching six wins in six games with 12 goals scored and five conceded, which came on the back of eight straight wins in qualification for the finals.

As well as 16 heads of state present at the final, Holland was represented by IOC member Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Princes Maxima and Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende. Queen Sofia of Spain, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were also in attendance.

IOC president Jacques Rogge and world No.1 tennis player Rafael Nadal, a huge fan of the Spanish national side, were also among the guests.

Both teams not afraid to win ugly and it turned out that way with English referee Howard Webb booking 14 players - Heitinga twice - in a disjointed match that was not one for the purists.

Reported from Johannesburg by Mark Bisson.