Once more it was not a great World Cup final - there hasn't been one for 24 years - but at least the best team won. Spain's first World Cup was settled by one of the few outstanding figures in South Africa to actually shine in the tournament - Andres Iniesta. Spain became the third country after West Germany and France to be European and World Champions and did so with their fourth successive 1-0 victory. Holland lost their third World Cup final but unlike in 1974 and 1978 they were not beautiful losers. Led by Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong, they were relentless in their desire to take out the Spanish midfield by any means necessary and both men were lucky not to have been dismissed by the English referee, Howard Webb, before half-time. In the end, the Dutch were reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Jonny Heitinga in extra time and their tactics might have worked if Arjen Robben had converted his breakaway in the second half. Instead he drove his shot against Iker Casillas' legs. For the Spain manager, Vicente Del Bosque, dismissed after bringing the Champions League and the La Liga title to Real Madrid in 2003, this was a glorious vindication after years of exile. For Bert van Marwijk, his opposite number, there was the realisation that having won every competitive game for two years, his first defeat as Holland manager would cost him the World Cup

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