Andres Iniesta’s right-foot shot gave Spain their first-ever World Cup triumph after a tense, tetchy 90 minutes and a more expansive period of extra-time.

The Netherlands disrupted Spain’s passing game and nearly won it with chances on the break.

But some of their tackling, especially in the first 45 minutes, went beyond reason, and they were fortunate not to be down to ten men long before Johnny Heitinga’s second booking, moments before Spain’s goal.

Nigel De Jong should have been dismissed for a chest-high, studs-up challenge on Xavi Alonso, and others could have followed him.

Chances were fewer and further between than bad fouls. Spain created most of them. But the best in normal time fell to the Netherlands’ Arjen Robben who raced clear, only to be denied by Spanish keeper Iker Casillas’ outstretched right-foot.

Robben was clean through again late in normal time only to fail to get his shot away, while Sergio Ramos headed over a golden headed opportunity for the Spaniards.

And David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Jesus Navas and Iniesta (twice) himself came close, Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenberg having a fine game.

Then Fabregas’s pass outflanked the undermanned Dutch defence and Iniesta’s powerful finish did the rest.