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Spain finally fulfilled their potential as they claimed their first World Cup trophy thanks to an extra-time winner from Andres Iniesta helping them edge Holland 1-0 in the final at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
The first real opportunity fell for Spain in the fifth minute when Xavi's free-kick from the right found Sergio Ramos in the area, but his powerful header was well saved by Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Referee Howard Webb wasn't shy with the cautions early in the match and should probably have shown Nigel de Jong a straight red in the 29th minute after the midfielder sunk his studs into Xabi Alonso's chest with a brutal kick but he only received a yellow card.
Shortly after the hour mark Netherlands had the biggest chance of the match when Wesley Sneijder played Arjen Robben clean through the Spanish defence. The winger only had the goalkeeper to beat but his shot was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas' outstretched leg.
Spain looked more likely to net the opener after Robben's squandered chance, but the Dutch winger again found himself in the thick of it in the 83rd minute. Robben's pace caused problems for Carles Puyol as they both tussled for a through-ball but the Barcelona defender managed to hold him back until Casillas came out to clean it up.
Despite numerous chances for both sides the match was forced into extra-time where a hero rose for Spain in the form of Iniesta. In the 116th minute Cesc Fabregas gained possession just outside the Dutch area and played in Iniesta, who took a touch before blasting a volley past Stekelenburg and into the back of the net to secure their maiden World Cup title in dramatic fashion.
Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt, van Persie
Subs: Vorm, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, De Zeeuw, Braafheid, Elia, Schaars, Babel, Afellay, Huntelaar, Van der Vaart, Boschker
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Marchena, Torres, Fabregas, Mata, Arbeloa, Llorente, Javi Martinez, Silva, Jesus Navas, Reina
Referee: Howard Webb (England)
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