World Cup Final: Spain-Netherlands

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

The final day of the World Cup got off to a touching start when former South African president Nelson Mandela took a ceremonious trip around the Soccer City Stadium with wife Graca Machel at the closing ceremony in Johannesburg.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

A fan rushed the field and ran toward the iconic World Cup trophy before the introductions. Just before he reached it, a security guard leveled him to the pitch with a powerful punch. The World Cup was completed without a major security problem.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

The Netherlands' Nigel de Jong got away with a kung-fu kick to the chest of Spain's Xabi Alonso with just a yellow card in the first half. The Dutch played a physical style to try and break up Spain's rhythm.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

The Netherlands' Dirk Kuyt attemps a header. Kuyt was part of an attacking midfield that helped the Dutch go undefeated through qualifying and in South Africa -- until the final.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Spain's defense, led by Carlos Puyol (pictured), didn't give up a goal in the knockout rounds. Puyol was the hero in the semifinals, scoring in the 73rd minute against Germany to send Spain to its first World Cup final.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst announced before the tournament that he would retire from international competition after the World Cup. Van Bronckhorst was subbed out in the 105th minute and wasn't on the field when Spain finally broke through in the 116th minute.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Spain's Cesc Fabregas (left) proved to be a super sub in the tournament. In the final, Fabregas came on in the 87th minute and helped set up Andres Iniesta's game winner in extra time.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Referee Howard Webb handed out a World Cup final record 14 yellow cards and one red card, to the Netherlands' John Heitinga, in a foul-marred match.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Perhaps the most important players for each team are midfielders. The Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder (left) scored five times in the World Cup but was bottled up in the final. Spain's Xavi (right) was a master passer throughout, running the Red Fury attack.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

The Dutch's Arjen Robben reacts after missing his best scoring chance of the match. Robben had a one-on-one with Spanish keeper Iker Casillas, but Casillas poked away Robben's shot with his boot. Robben, who missed the first two matches with an injury, turned into his country's top scoring threat by the end of the tournament.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Andres Iniesta gets set to fire his game-winning shot on goal in the 116th minute. Iniesta, 26, an attacking midfielder, scored twice in six matches for Spain.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Andres Iniesta celebrated his goal by ripping off his shirt (an automatic, yet well-worth-it yellow card) to show a message translated to "Dani Jarque is always with us," a tribute to a former teammate who died of a heart attack last year.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and defender Gregory Van Der Wiel react to Andres Iniesta's goal. The Dutch defense, questioned before the World Cup, did well to keep Spain scoreless as long as it did.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Andres Iniesta lifts the World Cup trophy for Spain, which came into the tournament as the second-ranked team in the world and the best country never to win the World Cup. Now, the Netherlands move on as the best to never win it.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Spain keeper Iker Casillas didn't give up a goal in the knockout rounds. The captain earned the Golden Glove award as the best goalkeeper in the tournament, his third career World Cup.

Spain 1, Netherlands 0

Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup. The Brazilians are largely considered the greatest soccer country in the world and should be overwhelming favorites in four years. Brazil is the only country with five World Cup wins, the last coming in 2002.