JOHANNESBURG: Player ratings from Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory against the Netherlands in the World Cup final at Soccer City here on Sunday:

NETHERLANDS

Maarten Stekelenburg 7/10

Reacted well to parry a fifth-minute header from Ramos and was largely untroubled until he had to race from his line to deny Fabregas at the start of extra time. Could not have done more to prevent Iniesta’s goal.

Gregory van der Wiel 5

Iniesta’s tendency to drift inside meant van der Wiel was often left with no-one to pick up but he failed to exploit the space ahead of him until a buccaneering run down the right early in the second half followed by a fine low cross. Booked for tired trip on Iniesta in extra time.

John Heitinga 4

Sent off for dragging back Iniesta in second half of extra time, having earlier been booked for going through the back of Villa. Denied Villa a certain goal with a crucial instinctive block in second half.

Joris Mathijsen 5

Slightly nervous in his distribution and fluffed his lines completely when the ball arrived at his feet inside the Spanish area in the 37th minute. Headed over with the goal at his mercy in extra time.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst 6

Playing his final game before retirement, the former Arsenal and Barcelona man was booked early in the second half for blocking off Ramos. Troubled by Navas following the Sevilla man’s introduction but did brilliantly to deny Iniesta as he shaped to shoot in extra time. Replaced by Braafheid.

Mark van Bommel 4

Holland’s chief enforcer needed just 22 minutes to make his way into referee Howard Webb’s book, after a bone-shaking tackle from behind on Iniesta.

Could have been sent off after trip on Xavi moments later and wound up Spain’s

midfielders throughout with his constant niggling and play-acting.

Nigel de Jong 4

A terrible kung-fu kick to Alonso’s chest earned him a 28th-minute booking and he was fortunate not to see red. More impact off the ball than on it.

Replaced by van der Vaart.

Dirk Kuyt 4

Registered the Netherlands’ first shot on target with a low effort straight at Casillas and put in a typically industrious shift but was largely anonymous in an attacking capacity.

Wesley Sneijder 5

Tested Casillas with a vicious free-kick in the 18th minute but was more conspicuous for some impetuous fouls in the first half. Showcased the finer side of his game with a delightful through-ball to Robben in the second period and also produced a tremendous tackle to halt Iniesta inside the Dutch box.

Arjen Robben 7

Influential but profligate. Spurned the two clearest chances of normal time after twice scampering in behind the Spanish defence. The first time Casillas kicked his shot away and the second time the Real Madrid goalkeeper snatched the ball off his toes. Also tested Casillas with a pair of low shots either side of half-time.

Robin van Persie 3

Picked up the game’s first booking after sliding in on Capdevila in the 15th minute and, as he has been for much of the tournament, looked isolated in his lone striking role.

Eljero Elia 4

Replaced Kuyt in the 71st minute but was unable to assert himself.

Rafael van der Vaart 5

Came on for de Jong in extra time in attacking move from coach Bert van Marwijk.

Edson Braafheid 5

Took van Bronckhorst’s place in extra time.

SPAIN

Iker Casillas 7

Commanded his penalty area with impressive authority. Was almost embarrassed by a fluke 80-yard punt from Heitinga in the first half but stood tall to out-wit Robben in two crucial second-half one-on-ones.

Sergio Ramos 6

Attacked with intent from kick-off and came close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when his well-directed header was pushed away by Stekelenburg.

Superb intervention to break up promising Dutch attack in 56th minute. Should

have put Spain ahead in the 77th minute but headed over from six yards when

unmarked.

Carles Puyol 4

Booked in the 17th minute for a crude lunge from behind on Robben and was embarrassed by the winger’s pace in the 83rd minute when the Bayern Munich man raced past him.

Gerard Pique 5

Typically assured in possession and coped well with the off-colour van Persie.

Joan Capdevila 4

Did not look comfortable when Robben ran at him. Should have put Spain ahead in the 48th minute when he failed to connect with a back-post volley.

Booked for cynically tripping van Persie as he looked to break forward.

Sergio Busquets 6

Caught by a high kick to the back of the knee from van Persie in the first minute and presented Holland with their first opportunity when his lapse in concentration allowed Kuyt to shoot at Casillas. Otherwise watchful and secure in possession.

Xabi Alonso 5

Occupying his habitual quarter-back role, Alonso’s deep positioning made it difficult for him to influence the game. Began to push forward late on before being replaced by Fabregas in the 87th minute.

Andres Iniesta 7

Turned himself into a Spanish hero by calmly firing the ball past Stekelenburg with penalties beckoning in the 26th minute