Iniesta delivers World Cup for Spain
Spain's midfielder Andrés Iniesta L celebrates after scoring the first goal during the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO CHRISTOPHE SIMON
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas C holds the trophy as Spain's national football team players celebrate winning the 2010 World Cup football final Netherlands vs. Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO JAVIER SORIANO
Spain won the World Cup for the first time on Sunday, Andres Iniesta netting in extra-time to see off Holland 1-0 in Johannesburg and hand the Dutch their third final loss.
With just four minutes of extra-time remaining, substitute Fernando Torres slid over a cross from the left which was partially cleared as far as Cesc Fabregas and his pass found Iniesta lurking in the area.
The Barcelona star promptly set his sights and fired past Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
It was a cruel blow for a Dutch side that had hoped to eradicate memories of the country's defeats in the 1974 and 1978 finals.
But the ultimate outcome of a contest both sides might easily have won inside 90 minutes will trigger few complaints from neutrals.
Over the two hours, the European champions enjoyed the better of the chances while the Dutch had defender John Heitinga sent off and seven other players booked, most of them for challenges that appeared cynically designed to disturb the rhythm of Spain's passing game.
Orange agony
Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder reacts at the end of the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO THOMAS COEX
Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta C holds the trophy as Spain's national football team players celebrate winning the 2010 World Cup football final Netherlands vs. Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO LLUIS GENE
Nelson Mandela's beaming pre-match appearance ensured the only glum face at Soccer City before kick-off belonged to Fernando Torres, consigned to the bench until the second period of extra-time as Spain opted to keep David Villa in the central striking role.
Torres' evening was to finish on a much happier note however with his cross causing the disruption in the Dutch defence that granted Iniesta his chance.
Five minutes earlier, the Dutch were down to 10 men when referee Howard Webb red-carded John Heitinga for a foul on Iniesta.
Spain's midfielder Andrés Iniesta L shoots to score the game winning goal in extra time as Netherlands' midfielder Rafael van der Vaart R tries to defend during the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Spain won the match 1-0 in extra to take home the World Cup title. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE
Arjen Robben forced Casillas into his first significant save when he forced the Real Madrid goalkeeper to get down smartly at his near post as the Dutch finished the opening period strongly. In fact the Dutch had a whole string of chances to settle the game before Iniesta broke the deadlock, and wil long regret several of them.
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas R pulls off a save from a shot by the Netherlands' striker Arjen Robben during the 2010 World Cup football final at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg on July 11, 2010. NO PUSH TO MOBILE MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS
Real Madrid star Iker Casillas made two crucial one-on-one saves to deny Holland's Robben in normal time to keep the scores level.
A niggly game saw a proliferation of yellow cards (14) and missed chances at both ends - most notably in the first period of extra-time when Spanish substitute Fabregas raced onto a pass from Iniesta only to see Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg block his shot.
But the ultimate outcome of a contest both sides might easily have won inside 90 minutes will trigger few complaints from neutrals. Over the two hours, the European champions enjoyed the better of the chances while the Dutch appeared cynically set on disturbing the rhythm of Spain's passing game.
