Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in the final to win their first FIFA World Cup title, concluding the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Key Facts
- Final result
- Spain 1–0 Netherlands (AET)
- Final venue
- Soccer City, Johannesburg
- Stage start date
- 26 June 2010
- Final date
- 11 July 2010
- Teams in knockout stage
- 16 (top 2 from each group)
- Extra time periods
- Two periods of 15 minutes each
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After the 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage concluded, the top two finishers from each of the eight groups — 16 teams in total — qualified for the knockout stage. The single-elimination format meant each loss ended a team's participation in the tournament.
The knockout stage ran from 26 June to 11 July 2010, encompassing the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final. Matches level after 90 minutes proceeded to extra time, and if still tied, to a penalty shoot-out. The final at Soccer City saw Spain beat the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time.
Spain claimed their first FIFA World Cup title, completing a historic period of international success. The Netherlands were runners-up for the third time in their history. The tournament concluded South Africa's role as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup.
Result
at Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa