It might not have been the most exciting game on earth, but it was certainly competitive and it did return a winner before both teams went to penalties.

In doing so, Spain have finally fulfilled years of football promise and have become the new world champions. While it is their first World Cup victory, they have become only the second team to hold both the European and the World Championships simultaneously. A very well-done indeed. Spain were effortless throughout the tournament and won all but one game. Their passing and dictation of play were sublime at times. They were phenomenal. Netherlands, of course, were doomed to their third final without a victory. Had they won, they would also have made history and one must spare a thought for them.

There was also the historic moment when FIFA President Sepp Blatter admitted that the time had come to consider some form of goal-line technology. Given that there were a number of refereeing blunders, most notably the Lampard Ghost Goal, it can only be a good decision. It will take something away from the game, but its introduction cannot be delayed. In an age where the screens show everything in a matter of seconds anyway, it just has to be done.

One cannot be at a stadium, witness a wrong decision on a television screen to show that, for example, a goal should have stood and have it not count. There were many countries – France, England, Italy and Argentina among them who will be bitterly disappointed at their lack of progress and poor performance. Perhaps it just goes to show – if you turn up without wanting to fight to win, then you will not be getting very far at all.

Spain, of course, will have partied through the night and there will have been many sore heads and days taken off as sick leave. But one should not underestimate the effect of winning such a major trophy can have. Spain finds itself in economic difficulty with high inflation, high unemployment and a high deficit. Winning the World Cup is exactly the sort of boost the country needs. It is not the first time that winning such tournaments has given boosts to countries. There is the famous Invictus World Cup win by the South African rugby team which managed to heal some of the wounds of Apartheid. Argentina also used its 1986 World Cup win to spur on economic development and to try and forget its Dirty War.

And now the long road till the next World Cup begins. The recriminations are over, teams have already started rebuilding. Some, such as the great young German side, will merely have to build on the progress they registered during this tournament. Other players and managers will decide to call time on their careers. But great sporting events are always around the corner. The Olympics will come, the Rugby World Cup will come and the European Championships will also come and go. We should always learn from sport and in turn we should allow sport to inspire learning. In a sense, the decision to take the World Cup to Africa could be a life-changing experience for the continent and it has made them see, with their own eyes, the greatest footballing spectacle in the world, right on their doorstep. Well done Spain; well done Africa.