世界杯落幕 西班牙加时夺冠（英文）

Spain's Andres Iniesta (6) shoots to score a goal past Netherland's goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg during their 2010 World Cup final soccer match at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg July 11, 2010. [Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - Spain won the World Cup for the first time when they beat Netherlands 1-0 thanks to a super strike by tireless midfielder Andres Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time at Soccer City on Sunday.

With penalties looming for the second successive final Iniesta fired home the winner when he was put through in the area by Cesc Fabregas. Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg dived to his right and got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

The defeat was heartbreaking for the Dutch, who were down to 10 men after John Heitinga was sent off in extra time. It was their third World Cup final loss after 1974 and 1978.

Spain, appearing in their first final, become the second team after West Germany in 1974 to follow up winning the European championship by lifting the biggest prize of all.

The Spaniards were also the first European team to win the World Cup on a foreign continent as they became the eighth name on the trophy first played for in 1930.

The victory sees Spain join Brazil (five times winners), Italy (four), Germany (three), Uruguay (two), Argentina (two), England and France as world champions.

Difficult Match

"It was a very difficult match," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "We have fantastic players. We could have scored another goal or two but I think the result was deserved. It's a very happy day for me. Naturally, I'm proud."

"It's unbelievable, incredible," added goalscorer Andres Iniesta. "It cost a lot of energy. To win a World Cup is an indescribable feeling. This was our work that we started a long time ago, it was hard work, but we're savouring this now."

Nobody in Spain will care but it was a ragged final, marred by a record 13 yellow cards and one red.

After the goal and again at the final whistle the furious Dutch players surrounded English referee Howard Webb, claiming Iniesta was offside and also angry that Cares Puyol had escaped punishment when hauling down Arjen Robben late in normal time.

Despite the frenetic finish, there was little action in the first 90 minutes.

Stekelenburg was forced into a save after five minutes when Sergio Ramos headed a Xavi cross goalwards while Spain forward David Villa crashed a volley into the side netting with the goal looming.

But a series of freekicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm and stopped them from producing the swift-passing game that got them to the final.