Spain wins the 2010 World Cup

Spain has won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 1-0 extra-time defeat of the Netherlands at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Andres Iniesta scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute following a pass from Cesc Fabregas to condemn the Dutch to their third World Cup final defeat.

The scores were deadlocked at 0-0 following 90 minutes of regulation time.The success completes a marvellous two years for Spain, who were crowned European champions in 2008, as Holland's 25-match unbeaten run came to an end in South Africa.

As expected, Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque again overlooked the rusty Fernando Torres with the 22-year-old Pedro keeping his place in the starting XI that defeated Germany.

For Holland, Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong returned from suspension to replace Khalid Boulahrouz and Demy De Zeeuw.

President Robert Mugabe and former South Africa president Nelson Mandela was present to observe arguably the sporting world's most gargantuan event, the kick-off signalled by the whistle of English referee Howard Webb, who would play an active role in the first period.

Spain ended a 44-year barren spell when it won the 2008 European Championship and can become only the third team to be world and European champion at the same time.

Spain's exquisite talent is reminiscent of that of the Dutch when "Total Football" carried them to the 1974 and '78 finals.