A goal from Andres Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time was enough to make Spain World Champions for the first time, and mean that football is the winner in South Africa 2010.

It’s difficult to be critical of a Dutch side full of talented players such as Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. If the men in orange had lifted the Fifa World Cup Trophy last night, however, it would have an injustice for all the purest football lovers out there.

Spain played the beautiful game last night, while Holland played truly ugly football. The Dutch kicked lumps out of the Spanish and were lucky not to be down to 9 men by the end of 90 minutes.

To be fair to Bert van Marwijk his tactics on the night could have, and perhaps should have paid dividend. Twice in the second half Holland caught Spain on the break, sending Robben clear through on goal on both occasions. One of the players of the tournament was unable to convert either chance, however. With the first he was unlucky as the Spanish goalkeeper and captain, Iker Casillas, saved smartly with his legs.

The second time he was sent clear he tangled with Carles Puyol outside the box, which was just enough to put him off his stride, and allow Casillas to nip in and claim the ball. Robben could have gone down outside the box, which would have resulted in the Puyol receiving a second yellow card, however in pursuit of glory Robben stayed on his feet for the first time in the tournament.

Spain dominated possession and created two great chances, in normal time, themselves. David Villa should have done better when the ball found it’s way to him at the back post. An uncharacteristic finish from four yards out meant that he would fail to win the golden boot competition.

The second Spanish chance came from Sergio Ramos, direct from a corner, but his header flew over the bar from only 6 yards out. If Puyol had been on the end of the cross, then judging from his header in the previous round, it would have surely been a goal.

So extra time came, and Spain continued to dominate. Fabregas should have done better when he found himself one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg. His shot was saved by the left boot of Stekelenburg, leaving David Villa wondering why the Arsenal man didn’t square the ball, to allow him to side foot it into an empty net.

Holland then finally had a man sent off when Heitinga received a second yellow card for pulling back Fernando Torres, but there was not much time left for Spain to take advantage.

Just when everyone thought the match was heading to a dreaded penalty shootout, for the second World Cup final in a row, Iniesta stepped up to cap off a remarkable tourament for the Barcelona midfielder. How Iniesta did not win player of the tournament is beyond me.

He received the ball in space, inside the area. His first touch was excellent, and his second decisive. He seemed to have to wait an age for the ball to come down, but at the first opportunity he had to hit it, he did, and the ball flew past Stekelenburg with only four minutes left to play of extra time.

The celebrations for Spain began, and it may be a long time before the end. They are World Champions for the first time, and it’s fully deserved for the brand of football they’re always determined to play. Holland are the runners up for the third time, and so it’s difficult to really damn them for the way they went about trying to win the final.

It was probably the best chance they had to overcome Spain, but most football purest would have hated seeing them come out winners on the day, playing in that way. Spain make the beautiful game just that, and football fans around the World will surely not begrudge them their moment of glory. It’s nice to see a golden generation fulfill their potential for a change.

Highlights – Spain v Holland