Sportsbook Fans Watch Spain Win the World Cup. Spain was the favorite at the sportsbook against the Netherlands in the World Cup final and they came away with a 1-0 victory as Andres Iniesta scored late in added time. For those that bet the match on the three-way line at the online sportsbook it was the draw that was the winner since the game went beyond regulation time.
Sportsbook odds listed Spain as the favorite to win the World Cup before the tournament began and although they scored only eight total goals in the tournament, Spain won the World Cup for the first time in their history. It was a bitter defeat for the Netherlands who finished second for the third time in their history. Andres Iniesta scored late in extra time for the only goal of the match. The Netherlands was playing with only ten men after defender John Heitinga got a red card in the 19th minute of extra time. Spain really put on the pressure after the Netherlands was shorthanded and Iniesta took a nice pass from Cesc Fabregas and was able to get a shot just past Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Steklenburg.
The match between the Netherlands and Spain was very physical right from the start and a record number of yellow cards were handed out. Neither team had that many chances as each team got four shots on goal but both goalkeepers made big saves. Spain’s Iker Casillas made a fabulous kick save on Arjen Robben in the 62nd minute to keep the game scoreless. Steklenburg also had his moments including a save on Sergio Ramos early in the match.
Spain had the better of the chances throughout the contest but the Netherlands made sure that Spain didn’t get through easily. In the end, it was one too many fouls that cost the Netherlands. Heitinga pulled back Iniesta when he was looking to take a pass from Xavi that would have put him clear. It was probably a good foul as it saved a clear scoring chance. Spain didn’t convert the ensuing free kick but with the Netherlands down to ten men, Spain ramped up the pressure and Iniesta scored just minutes before the match would have gone to a penalty shootout.
The low scoring match and the added time victory were good results for the online sportsbook since the draw was the winner on the three-way line and the 1-0 final meant the game went under the total.