Netherlands: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel,
Mathijsen, Heitinga, Gio Van Bronckhorst (Braafheid 104'); Van Bommel, De Jong
(Van der Vaart 99'); Robben, Sneijder; Kuyt (Elia 71'); Van Persie. 4-2-3-1.
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Puyol,
Capdevila; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Cesc Fábregas 87');
Iniesta, David Villa (Fernando Torres 106'), Pedro (Jesús Navas 60').
4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 116. Iniesta. Picked up Cesc pass and fired shot
wide of Stekelenberg.
Spain are World Champions! A single goal by Iniesta just four minutes from the end of extra time gave La Roja the world title for the first time in their history!
Del Bosque's side started well, Stekelenberg having to save from a Sergio Ramos header in the opening minutes. But some hard tackling by the Dutch side slowed them down, De Jong and Van Bommel in particular fortunate not to get themselves sent off by English referee Howard Webb before the break.
After the restart Holland had a couple of good chances to score, Robben breaking free twice only to be thwarted by Casillas both times. Villa had a shot blocked on the line by Heitinga and Sergio Ramos headed the ball over the top with the goal at his mercy, but with the scoreline unmoved, the game went in to extra time.
Again Spain pushed forward, Stekelenberg having to be at his best to save from substitute Fábregas, and Iniesta and Navas both going close. But Holland were left with ten men after Heitinga picked up a second booking for a foul on Iniesta, and with just four minutes to go Fábregas put Iniesta through for him a drill a shot past the keeper. A goal worthy enough to win the World Cup, and Spain add the world title to the European championship they won two years ago!