Spain Wins First World Cup

Andres Iniesta scored with 4 minutes of extra time remaining to give Spain a 1-0 win over the Netherlands and its first World Cup title today in Johannesburg. With the teams facing a penalty shootout in a game of few clear chances, Iniesta collected a sliding pass from substitute Cesc Fabregas, broke free inside the penalty area, and smashed the ball past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and in at the far post. The game was a physical test that sometimes turned dirty—officials handed out a finals-record 11 yellow cards, and the Dutch finished with 10 men.

Soccer City was soaked in Oranje, from the seats painted that hue to pretty much everyone seated in them. Unlike when they lost to hosts West Germany and Argentina in previous finals, the Dutch were something of a home team this time. The Spaniards, though, were the winners. Their pockets of supporters were in the minority, but when the final whistle blew, they were tooting their vuvuzelas loudest in tribute to their champions. (More 2010 World Cup stories.)