Spain champions of the world after Iniesta's last-gasp winner

A dramatic winner with just four minutes to go in extra time gave Spain their first ever World Cup victory, whilst condemning the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final.

Spain, champions of Euro 2008 champions, only conceded two goals during the tournament and were the deserved winners in a largely bad-tempered contest that resulted in yellow cards being handed out, with Johnny Heitinga sent off late in extra time after picking up a second yellow card.

The Dutch, who also lost in the 1974 and 1978 finals, were hoping to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to go through World Cup qualifying and the finals unbeaten.

They had the chance to take the lead in the second half but Arjen Robben, the Dutch team's most dangerous striker, could not find a way past Spain's captain Iker Casillas.

Sergio Ramos also missed an excellent chance for Spain when his header sailed over the crossbar and substitute Fàbregas also failed to convert a one-on-one chance.

It was, however, a nice through ball from the influential Fàbregas that set up Iniesta (pictured) for the goal that made Spain the first team to win a World Cup after losing their opening game of the tournament.

Spain also become the team to win to World Cup having scored the fewest number of goals - only eight in their seven matches.

The dramatic finish to extra time was in stark contrast to the lively but bad-tempered 110 minutes that preceeded it, marked especially by the number of yellow cards brandished by English referee, Howard Webb.  Dutch players Mark van Bommel and De Jong were both lucky to still be on the pitch at the end of the first half after dangerous fouls on Iniesta and Xabi Alonso respectively.

The bookings continued after the break and the contest occasionally threatened to boil over as the tension appeared to affect the players, but Spain had moved into the ascendancy as the match wore on and have been widely hailed as the worthy winners.