Spain's first World Cup: Iniesta's extra-time goal seals victory over Netherlands in Johannesburg final

Spain lifted its first World Cup trophy on July 11, 2010, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in a tense final held at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium. The victory capped a historic tournament for Spain and cemented a style of play focused on technical skill over brute force.

The match, officiated by English referee Howard Webb, was a physical battle, with Webb issuing a record 14 yellow cards. The Netherlands, seeking their first World Cup title after reaching the finals in 1974 and 1978, adopted a more aggressive approach, exemplified by Nigel de Jong's high kick to Xabi Alonso's chest. Spain's "tiki-taka" style faced a stern test against the Dutch physicality.

Despite Spain's dominance in possession, they struggled to convert chances. The Netherlands posed a constant threat on the counterattack. A pivotal moment came in the 62nd minute when Arjen Robben had a one-on-one opportunity against Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, whose crucial save kept Spain's hopes alive. The game went into extra time, with the Netherlands reduced to ten men after John Heitinga's 109th-minute expulsion.

Just as penalties seemed inevitable, Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute, following a pass from Cesc Fàbregas. Iniesta's strike secured Spain's victory, ending decades of frustration and crowning a generation of players known for their intricate, "gold-like" football. This triumph followed an initial group stage loss to Switzerland, highlighting the team's resilience.