Octopus correct: Spain wins World Cup moments short of extra time

Spain has won the World Cup for the first time in it’s history, scoring only a single goal in the final against the Netherlands, four minutes from the end of extra-time.

Moments before the World Cup was to be decided by a penalty shootout, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta slipped the ball past Dutch  goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

“It’s incredible,” Iniesta told AFP. “What a joy especially when you see how we won it.

“There aren’t the words to describe what I am feeling. After my goal, I thought about my family and all the people who I love. But the victory is the fruit of a lot of work.”

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk added: “The best team won. I am disappointed. It is a world championship and we have just lost a final.”

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2010 World Cup.

Rising star Thomas Mueller finished the tournament as the top-scorer after golden boot rivals David Villa and Wesley Sneijder both failed to score in Sunday’s final. FIFA also named him as the best young player of the tournament.