Spain won the World Cup for the first time when they beat Netherlands 1-0 after extra-time thanks to a goal by midfielder Andres Iniesta.

This match is also remembered for the number of players booked for fouls committed. English referee Howard Webb showed 14 yellow cards (2 yellow cards to Heitinga) in a bruising encounter - a record for the final - and sent off Dutch defender John Heitinga  in extra time.

Netherlands had to play with 10 men for the last 10 minutes of extra time when John Heitinga was sent off for hauling down Iniesta on the edge of the box.
 
Moreover, Spain's 1-0 extra time victory over Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday left them with a probably unwanted record of the fewest goals ever scored by the winners of the tournament.

Spain scored just eight goals in their seven games in South Africa, three less than the previous record low of 11 -- shared by Italy in 1938 (four games), England in 1966 (six games) and Brazil in 1994 (seven games).
Spain also became the first team to win the World Cup after losing their opening match.


Now the final standing of the Countries in the World Cup is:
1. Spain
2. Neteherlands
3. Germany
4. Uruguay

  Germany rounded off an impressive World Cup with a thrilling 3-2 win over a stubborn Uruguay on Saturday in a playoff for third place.


Furthermore this world cup is also remembered for lacklustre show of the stars like Rooney, Ronaldo, Kaka and the birth of new stars like Inestia, Forlan, Thomas Mueller, Robben, Sneijder etc.
Uruguay's Diego Forlan  won the best player of the tournament award. Forlan took 23.4 percent in the "Golden Ball" poll organised by world soccer body FIFA  and voted for by journalists. Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder was second with 21.8 percent and Spain's David Villa  third on 16.9 percent.

Mueller took the "Golden Boot" award given to the top scorer, using assists and number of minutes played as a tie-breaker. The German was also named Best Young Player.

As well as winning the World Cup, Spain also took the FIFA Fair Play Award. Their captain Iker Casillas won the "Golden Glove" prize for best goalkeeper.



Octopus Paul the Saint.

But the most dramatic thing is the prediction of the Octopus Paul. The oracle octopus correctly predicted Spain would win the World Cup by picking food out of a box with Spain's flag on it -- choosing it over the food in a Netherlands box.
 
 

Vuvuzelas

Vuvuzelas, the deafening plastic trumpets, which have attracted complaints from viewers and players alike at this year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, have been banned from the next World Cup in Brazil
The 127-decibel horn, which left fans reaching for ear plugs in South Africa, is to be banned in 2014 Brazil World Cup.