Spain's style not only won games coming into South Africa - it has only two defeats in 55 matches - but won accolades from fans and pundits alike.
The 1-0 victory not only propelled Spain into the exclusive club of world champions but followed up a masterful Euro 2008 triumph by proving beauty can prevail over the beast.
"To lead world football is incredible news after so many years without a world title, so I think Spain deserves this," coach Vicente del Bosque said. "And these are clean players, honest, tolerant and good people and that's important too - they are great examples."
At a time when Brazil embraced a more defensive plan and Inter Milan won the Champions League, Spain's victory was welcome news for fans looking for attacking and flair.
"I'm very happy there's a new champion, especially Spain which had always been considered one of the small (teams)," said captain Iker Casillas, who was moved to tears immediately after Iniesta scored the 116th-minute winner. "I told other players they are very lucky to be here today with this group. In the end, justice was done by our football."
Opponents not only had to worry about an incisive pass reaching strikers David Villa or Fernando Torres, but the threat of a midfield that includes Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets.
"Small guys like us, we can't get physical so we like to hold the ball," defender Joan Capdevila said. "That's what's makes us big."
"We won because we knew how to play like a team, no player tries to be above the rest," Capdevila said. "It was a group, united."
