JOHANNESBURG — Exhaustion etched on their faces, fatigued bodies ready to betray them, the players knew just one goal would be enough to win the elusive World Cup for their nation.
As the clock ticked toward penalty kicks, the shivering crowd at Soccer City Stadium grew anxious.
Spain or the Netherlands would win its first championship if only someone could find the net. Andres Iniesta did, and Spain rules the soccer world at long, long last.
“We have all done an incredible job,” Iniesta said Sunday, shortly after the 1-0 extra-time victory. “I don’t think we realize what we have done.”
Spain beat the Netherlands to go one better than the European title it won in 2008.
Spain won its last four games by a score of 1-0 — a tight margin that characterized the month-long tournament. The World Cup featured a record 31 one-goal decisions out of 64 matches — four more than the previous high set in 2002.
This final was a physical test of attrition that sometimes turned dirty — a finals-record 14 yellow cards were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the end, it was Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, taking a pass from Cesc Fabregas and putting a right-footed shot from 8 yards just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with about seven minutes left to play, including injury time.
“When I struck it, it just had to go in,” Iniesta said.
For the Dutch and their legions of orange-clad fans wearing everything from jerseys to jumpsuits to clown gear to pajamas, it was yet another disappointment.
Even with their first World Cup title tantalizingly within reach, they failed in the final for the third time. This one might have been the most bitter because, unlike 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands was unbeaten not only in this tournament, but in qualifying for the first World Cup staged in South Africa.
Soccer City was soaked in Oranje, from the seats painted in that hue throughout the stadium to pretty much everyone seated in them, including crown prince Willem-Alexander. It was different when they lost to hosts West Germany and Argentina in previous finals; this time, the Dutch were something of a home team. And the visitors won.
Spain had pockets of supporters too, with fans dressed in red and scattered throughout the stadium. Among those cheering were Queen Sofia, Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol.
Spain’s fans might have been in the minority, but when the final whistle blew, they were tooting their vuvuzelas with a vengeance in tribute to their champions.
A second straight World Cup final headed into extra time, with the goalkeepers unbeatable.
The goal in the 116th minute came off a turnover by the Dutch defense that Fabregas controlled just outside the penalty area.
Iniesta stayed on the right and sneaked in to grab the pass and put his shot to the far post. Stekelenburg barely brushed it with his fingertips as it went into the net.
Netherlands 0 0 0 — 0
Spain 0 0 1 — 1
First half — None.
Second half — None.
Extra time — 1, Spain, Andres Iniesta 2, 116th minute.
Shots — Netherlands 14, Spain 21.
Shots on goal — Netherlands 4, Spain 5.
Yellow cards — Netherlands, Robin Van Persie, 15th; Mark Van Bommel, 22nd; Nigel de Jong, 28th; Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, 54th; John Heitinga, 57th; Arjen Robben, 84th; Gregory Van der Wiel, 111th; Joris Mathijsen, 117th. Spain, Carles Puyol, 17th; Sergio Ramos, 23rd; Joan Capdevila, 67th; Andres Iniesta, 118th; Xavi, 120th, injury time.
Red card — Netherlands, John Heitinga, 109th.
Offsides — Netherlands 7, Spain 6.
Fouls committed — Netherlands 28, Spain 19.
Fouls against — Netherlands 18, Spain 28.
Corner kicks — Netherlands 6, Spain 8.
Referee — Howard Webb, England. Linesmen — Darren Cann, England; Michael Mullarkey, England.
A — 84,490.
