World Cup final player ratings

HOLLAND (4-2-3-1)

MAARTEN STEKELENBURG: Brilliant early save to deny Ramos and bettered that by blocking Fabregas' shot when the Arsenal man went clear in extra time. Mark: 8.

GREGORY VAN DER WIEL: Solid performance by the Ajax youngster. Coped well with the wing threat of Iniesta and Pedro and always prepared to join the Dutch attack. Mark: 6.

JOHN HEITINGA: Fine goalline clearance to thwart Ramos and brilliant block to keep out Villa. But the Everton man was sent off in extra time for two yellows and it proved pivotal. Mark: 4.

JORIS MATHIJSEN: Looked like the no-nonsense defender he is when he totally missed his kick when presented with the best chance of the first half. Mark: 6.

GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST: At 35 he's not the quickest, but the Holland captain read the script perfectly to defend his flank. Booked in the second half. Mark: 8.

MARK VAN BOMMEL: The Dutch clogger went in the book early for a savage slide into Iniesta and as always was constantly in the thick of the battle. Mark: 7.

NIGEL DE JONG: Non-stop display, although the kick-boxing Manchester City midfielder was lucky not to walk for a chest-high challenge on Alonso that was straight out of a Bruce Lee movie. Mark: 6.

ARJEN ROBBEN: Twice went clear in the second half only to lose out to Casillas in their one-on-one duels. Always a threat but also booked. Mark: 7.

WESLEY SNEIJDER: The five-goal Dutchman was battling for the golden boot with David Villa, but he had to dig in to help with the fight for midfield supremacy. Mark: 6.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE: Booked early after two ugly fouls and the Arsenal striker once again looked a frustrated figure as he struggled to make an impact. Mark: 5.

DIRK KUYT: The Liverpool winger struggled to contain the rampaging Ramos and rarely got his marker on the back foot. Substituted just after the hour.Mark: 5.

SUBSTITUTES

ELJERO ELIA (Kuyt, 61). The Hamburg flier added extra urgency and threat to the Dutch midfield. Mark: 6.

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART (De Jong, 99). Added creativity to the Dutch team after De Jong ran out of steam. Mark: 5.

EDSON BRAAFHEID (Van Bronckhorst 105). Gave Holland some youthful energy when their skipper tired. Mark: 5.

SPAIN (4-2-3-1)

IKER CASILLAS: Showed why he keeps Pepe Reina out of the team by holding his nerve twice to come out on top against Robben and keep Spain in the contest. Mark: 8

SERGIO RAMOS: Booked for a foul on Kuyt but was often Spain's most potent threat and should have scored with free second-half header. Mark: 7.

CARLES PUYOL: Cautioned for a foul on Robben and was lucky that the Dutchman stayed on his feet when he pulled him back in the second half. Mark: 6

GERARD PIQUE: Dominant in the air and on the deck as he tamed Van Persie. You have to wonder what Sir Alex Ferguson didn't see in him. Mark: 7.

JOAN CAPDEVILA: Needed help to cope with Robben and hardly joined in Spain's attacks as a consequence. Booked. Mark: 6

SERGIO BUSQUETS: The Barcelona ball-winner struggled to show his usual calm as the Dutch got in his face. Mark: 6

XABI ALONSO: Never wasted a pass. The former Liverpool man is the man who makes Spain tick by linking defence and attack. Replaced by Fabregas. Mark: 6

PEDRO: Faded after a bright opening spell and even switching flanks failed to give him the freedom he craves. Substituted after an hour. Mark: 5.

XAVI: Vying for the player of the tournament, but the Dutch never gave him the space to operate. Mark: 7.

ANDRES INIESTA: Another player who struggled as the Dutch harried and pressed – but will be remembered as the man who won the World Cup for Spain with a lethal finish in extra time. Mark: 7.

DAVID VILLA: Scored five of Spain's seven goals in the tournament but kept falling into Holland's offside trap and was replaced in extra time. Mark: 6.

SUBSTITUTES

JESUS NAVAS (Pedro, 71): A surprise choice given the presence of Torres and Silva on the bench. Mark: 6.

CESC FABREGAS (Alonso, 87): Gave Spain a lift going into extra time and only denied by a fine Stekelenburg save Set up the winning goal. Mark: 7.

FERNANDO TORRES (Villa, 106). Given room after Heitinga was dismissed and was involved in build-up for Iniesta's winner. Mark: 6.

REFEREE

HOWARD WEBB (England): Tried to establish control by issuing 13 yellow cards and a red as the two best teams in the world went to war. Did England proud. Mark: 7.