Soccer / Football : World Cup 2010

Spain won the World Cup for the first time Sunday when midfielder Andres Iniesta scored with four minutes of extra time remaining to beat the Netherlands 1-0. Spain also became the second nation to lift the trophy on the back of success in the UEFA European Championship and the first European nation to win the global football championship outside their own continent. The defeat was heartbreaking for the Dutch, who were down to 10 men after John Heitinga was sent off in extra time. It was their third World Cup final loss after 1974 and 1978.

Meanwhile, Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup's best player by journalists accredited to cover the tournament. Germany forward Thomas Mueller won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with five goals and also won the Best Young Player award. The 20-year-old Mueller helped Germany take third place with his five goals and three assists. Forlan, David Villa and Wesley Sneijder also scored five times but each had one assist. Spain captain Iker Casillas won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper.

Arjen Robben will play through the pain in the final against Spain, after revealing that the hamstring injury he sustained prior to the World Cup is still troubling him. "I am not yet at my very best, but that is because I'm still getting pain from the injury," said Robben. "I can still play; but it is not like I can play a pain-free game. You have to be fit to be at your very best, but I will try to do as much as possible." Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk conceded they had "taken a risk" with Robben's fitness.

Fernando Torres has admitted his lack of fitness has hampered his form at the World Cup, but insists he is fully prepared to start against the Netherlands. "I still feel I have a big part to play at this World Cup," he said. "It is up to the coach, Vicente del Bosque, if he starts me, but I feel ready. I don't want to make excuses but I haven't been at my best in this World Cup because my fitness is not where it should be. But every day I feel that little bit sharper in training and I am ready to start if called on."

Uruguay have received some good news ahead of their third-place playoff against Germany as it's been confirmed that Diego Forlan is fit to start. The Atletico Madrid striker was substituted late in their 3-2 semi-final defeat to the Netherlands and there were some doubts on his availability for the match against Germany. "Yes, he's ready, but that doesn't mean he's only going to play to place first in the top goalscorers standings," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "We absolutely want to win this match and it's a collective effort." Forlan has scored four times in the World Cup so far, just one fewer than Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Spain striker David Villa.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has a cold and missed his team's final practice for third-place playoff against Uruguay. Captain Philipp Lahm and forward Lukas Podolski also have cold and both missed Friday's training as well. Striker Miroslav Klose did some fitness tests on back problems in the team hotel, while backup goalkeeper Tim Wiese was out with a right knee injury.

Germany striker Miroslav Klose could miss the third-place match against Uruguay because of injury, and with it lose a chance to take over as top scorer in World Cup history. Assistant coach Hansi Flick says the 32-year-old has a back injury and could miss Saturday's game in Port Elizabeth. Klose, who netted four goals in the South Africa tournament, needs one goal to match Ronaldo's record of 15 for Brazil.

Carles Puyol scored the only goal of the game to send Spain into the World Cup final against Holland following a 1-0 victory against Germany on Wednesday. The Barcelona centre-back powered home a header from Xavi's corner 17 minutes from time to send the reigning European champions into their first ever World Cup final. Holland reached the title game by beating Uruguay 3-2 in Cape Town on Tuesday. Germany will face Uruguay in the third-place match Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

Cesc Fabregas will probably be available for Wednesday's World Cup semifinal against Germany after a blow to his right leg proved less serious than feared. The Arsenal midfielder, already nursing a sore shoulder, sustained a knock in training on Monday, but tests ruled out any type of bone injury. Fabregas practiced normally with the Spanish team Tuesday, with speculation suggesting that after being a substitute he is set to start in place of Fernando Torres.

The Netherlands reached the World Cup final for the third time on Tuesday, beating Uruguay 3-2 in Cape Town to set up an all-European final with Germany or Spain on Sunday. It will be their third attempt to win a World Cup trophy, having fallen at the last hurdle in Germany in 1974 and in Argentina in 1978, both times losing to the host countries. The Netherlands won all eight qualifying games and now all six of their matches in South Africa.