'Boring' Spain had no choice but to scrape their way to victory

Considering they are widely regarded the best footballing team on the planet, Spain did not exactly set the World Cup alight.

They were deserved winners at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday after 120 bruising minutes against the Dutch and they were the best team at this tournament by a distance. Plus just two defeats in all competitions since lifting the Euro 2008 title proves that this is no flash in the pan. They were favourites in the pre-tournament football betting, after all.

But eight goals in eight games in not exactly an inspiring return for such a talented bunch of players. This had led to criticism for their reluctance to kill teams off, instead Vicente Del Bosque's men were content to pass the ball around the midfield and maintain possession, something they can do easily with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta in midfield.

So this inevitably led to three narrow - and at times turgid - 1-0 knock-out wins, with a fourth added after extra time on Sunday.

They never relinquished an advantage after scoring first, usually because the opposition weren't allowed to get near the ball.

But in their defence they were only doing that in response to the safety first tactics employed by most coaches at this World Cup.

The first round of games in particular was dire and as the fear of losing took precedent over any attacking intent. It was certainly a world away from what Premier League football betting fans expect.

Those spoiling tactics were carried all the way to the final where the Dutch, who had plenty of creative talents in their ranks, instead chose to battle and scrap way through the match, seeking to unsettle the Spanish at every opportunity.

This wasn't a final to remember fondly and it isn't a tournament that will be remembered for its thrilling, attacking action but Football won out in the end - just.