It’s over! And in the end the World Cup speaks Spanish.  After 64 games Spain fulfilled its promise by defeating the Netherlands 1 -0 in overtime, to become the best in the world. 

Spain came in as the tournament favorite, and the most technical and talented team in the finals. Scoring just eight goals in seven games Spain didn’t score much, but it scored the goals that mattered. Its defense and goalie played well giving up just two goals. The master of the passing-game, Andreas Iniesta, scored the game-winner in the final.

Spain played a disciplined possession-style game throughout the tournament and kept to its game-plan. It didn’t always look good, and didn’t produce many goals, but it worked. The team made few mistakes after losing its first game to Switzerland.

The Final game wasn’t pretty. It was a physical test of attrition that sometimes turned dirty — a finals-record 14 yellow cards were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the second overtime half, it was Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, and putting a right-footed shot from 8 yards just past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper with about seven minutes left to play, including injury time.

“We have all done an incredible job,” said Iniesta, shortly after the 1-0 extra-time victory. “I don’t think we even realize what we have done.”

Holland failed in the final for the third time. This one might have been the most bitter because, unlike 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands was unbeaten not only in this tournament, but in qualifying for the first World Cup staged in South Africa. After defeating Brazil they had their moments, but Arjen Robben missed two golden chances that could have changed the game. Spain also wasted some good chances. Both Sergio Ramos and Cesc Fabregas could have put Spain in the lead.

The World Cup is now for the ages. France and Italy came in at the bottom of their groups. England, with its cast of Premier League stars, played poorly and never lived up to expectations. Brazil and Argentina should have gone further. And yet again, no African team was able to break into the semifinals and create history.

Some of the world’s best players did not produce. Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi failed to score a goal, while Cristiano Ronaldo did little to display his magic.

On the bright side, all Latin American teams (with the exception of Honduras) made it to the Quarterfinals. Germany played some of the best soccer and introduced us to some exciting young players. Uruguay, led by the hard-working and wonderful Diego Forlan, also won hearts as they reached semifinals. 

Spain is the eighth country to be crowned World Cup champion, winning its first title and becoming the first European country to win outside of Europe. Supporters, cheering from the seats included Queen Sofia, Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol.

The Netherlands’ 10-game winning and 25-game unbeaten streaks were snapped, as the Dutch lost for the first time since September 2008. They now has more victories in World Cup games without a title than any nation: 19. Spain held that dubious record with 24. 

A second straight World Cup final headed into extra time, with the goalkeepers unbeatable. 

When it was over Spain’s Captain Casillas, voted the World Cup’s top goalkeeper, kissed the distinctive gold award and raised it for all to see while cameras flashed and confetti flew throughout the still-full stadium. “This really is quite a cup,” Casillas said. “The European Championship was the most important moment of our lives, but today is much bigger than anything else.”

Spain joined West Germany and France as the only nations to simultaneously hold the world and European titles. West Germany followed the European title with the 1974 World Cup and France won the 1998 Cup before winning the Euros two years later.

The new Champions started the World Cup in the worst way, losing to Switzerland. But Spain won every game after that, including a 1-0 victory over powerful Germany that was far more one-sided than the score indicated. No other nation has won the World Cup after losing its opener.

Before the game, former South African president Nelson Mandela received a huge ovation when he was driven onto the field on a golf cart. A smiling Mandela waved to the fans as the vuvuzelas buzzed throughout Soccer City.