Andres Iniesta yesterday put his name in the record books as he fired the European Champions, Spain, to her first World Cup title with a beautiful goal in the 117th minute of a pulsating final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Termed perennial underachievers, the Spanish team finally broke the jinx that has seen it under form at the big stage. Their best outing at the World Cup before now was a semi-final finish at the 1950 edition of the tournament hosted by Brazil.
Starting their World Cup campaign on a losing note to Switzerland, Spain made history as the first team to lose an opening match and still go on to win the World Cup trophy.
The European champions looked the more assured early on in the clash as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their sleek opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was forced into a diving 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.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
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Andres Iniesta yesterday put his name in the record books as he fired the European Champions, Spain, to her first World Cup title with a beautiful goal in the 117th minute of a pulsating final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Termed perennial underachievers, the Spanish team finally broke the jinx that has seen it under form at the big stage. Their best outing at the World Cup before now was a semi-final finish at the 1950 edition of the tournament hosted by Brazil.
Starting their World Cup campaign on a losing note to Switzerland, Spain made history as the first team to lose an opening match and still go on to win the World Cup trophy.
The European champions looked the more assured early on in the clash as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their sleek opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was forced into a diving 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.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
print email
Andres Iniesta yesterday put his name in the record books as he fired the European Champions, Spain, to her first World Cup title with a beautiful goal in the 117th minute of a pulsating final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Termed perennial underachievers, the Spanish team finally broke the jinx that has seen it under form at the big stage. Their best outing at the World Cup before now was a semi-final finish at the 1950 edition of the tournament hosted by Brazil.
Starting their World Cup campaign on a losing note to Switzerland, Spain made history as the first team to lose an opening match and still go on to win the World Cup trophy.
The European champions looked the more assured early on in the clash as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their sleek opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was forced into a diving 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.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
print email
Andres Iniesta yesterday put his name in the record books as he fired the European Champions, Spain, to her first World Cup title with a beautiful goal in the 117th minute of a pulsating final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Termed perennial underachievers, the Spanish team finally broke the jinx that has seen it under form at the big stage. Their best outing at the World Cup before now was a semi-final finish at the 1950 edition of the tournament hosted by Brazil.
Starting their World Cup campaign on a losing note to Switzerland, Spain made history as the first team to lose an opening match and still go on to win the World Cup trophy.
The European champions looked the more assured early on in the clash as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their sleek opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was forced into a diving 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.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
print email
Andres Iniesta yesterday put his name in the record books as he fired the European Champions, Spain, to her first World Cup title with a beautiful goal in the 117th minute of a pulsating final match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Termed perennial underachievers, the Spanish team finally broke the jinx that has seen it under form at the big stage. Their best outing at the World Cup before now was a semi-final finish at the 1950 edition of the tournament hosted by Brazil.
Starting their World Cup campaign on a losing note to Switzerland, Spain made history as the first team to lose an opening match and still go on to win the World Cup trophy.
The European champions looked the more assured early on in the clash as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their sleek opponents.
Netherlands goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was forced into a diving 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.
However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.
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