Andres Iniesta struck a dramatic winner late in extra time to give glory to Spain World Cup for the first time, but condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in the final.
Iniesta drilled his right-foot strike of goal - but the Dutch were incensed when referee Howard Webb had failed to give their side a corner moments earlier, when a free-kick took a significant deflection off Cesc Fabregas.
However, the Euro 2008 champions Spain, who conceded two goals in the tournament, earned the victory after a stop in an increasingly tense and irritable contest that produced 14 yellow cards, with Johnny Heitinga posted to 109 minutes after picking up a second yellow card.
The Dutch, who lost in 1974 and 1978 finals, has offered to become the first since Brazil in 1970 through World Cup qualifying and finals undefeated.
They had a great opportunity to take the lead in the second half, but Arjen Robben, comfortable, with the strongest offensive weapon for his team, could find no way past the captain Iker Casillas Spain, which fell to the ground and wept tears of joy when the whistle blows the final.
Sergio Ramos was also guilty of a gross loss to Spain, where he led more and substitute Fabregas, as with Robben before him, not to convert the opportunity to face.
But it was a ball through the midfield Fabregas influential Iniesta struck making Spain the first team to win a World Cup after losing their opening match of the tournament.
Spain was also the team win the World Cup scored the fewest goals - to find on their net eight times in seven matches. The previous record was held by three teams, including England in 1966.
The dramatic end to Soccer City was the opposite of the hugely disappointing opening 45 minutes, which was a brutal disappointment after the spectacular opening ceremony and moving appearance of former President Nelson Mandela, who had preceded him.
Iniesta drilled his right-foot strike of goal - but the Dutch were incensed when referee Howard Webb had failed to give their side a corner moments earlier, when a free-kick took a significant deflection off Cesc Fabregas.
However, the Euro 2008 champions Spain, who conceded two goals in the tournament, earned the victory after a stop in an increasingly tense and irritable contest that produced 14 yellow cards, with Johnny Heitinga posted to 109 minutes after picking up a second yellow card.
The Dutch, who lost in 1974 and 1978 finals, has offered to become the first since Brazil in 1970 through World Cup qualifying and finals undefeated.
They had a great opportunity to take the lead in the second half, but Arjen Robben, comfortable, with the strongest offensive weapon for his team, could find no way past the captain Iker Casillas Spain, which fell to the ground and wept tears of joy when the whistle blows the final.
Sergio Ramos was also guilty of a gross loss to Spain, where he led more and substitute Fabregas, as with Robben before him, not to convert the opportunity to face.
But it was a ball through the midfield Fabregas influential Iniesta struck making Spain the first team to win a World Cup after losing their opening match of the tournament.
Spain was also the team win the World Cup scored the fewest goals - to find on their net eight times in seven matches. The previous record was held by three teams, including England in 1966.
The dramatic end to Soccer City was the opposite of the hugely disappointing opening 45 minutes, which was a brutal disappointment after the spectacular opening ceremony and moving appearance of former President Nelson Mandela, who had preceded him.
