Spain won the match 1-0

Andres Iniesta netted in the extra time to give European champions Spain their first-ever World Cup title here on Sunday, upsetting the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.

In a game when a record number of yellow cards were given and John Heitinga was sent off in extra-time, both sides missed great chances from Arjen Robben and Cesc Fabregas.

The winning goal came in the 116th minute when Fabregas fed Iniesta who volleyed the ball into the corner with aplomb.

“It’s unbelievable, incredible,” said 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.”

Both sides had never been crowned in World Cup. The Netherlands entered the finals of 1974 and 1978 editions but lost to West Germany and Argentina respectively. Spain’s best result had been the fourth in 1950.

Today, Spain made history to add its name into the list of World Cup champions and also broke the jinx that reigning European champions could not take World Cup title.

“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.”

The Netherlands, who won all the six matches on their road to the final, also made a history to become the first-ever team losing three times in the finals of World Cup.