Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he "suffered like never before" during his country's "epic" and nailbiting win over Holland in the World Cup final.

"I'm happy and emotional, this has been an epic match, I suffered like never before," he told Cadena Ser radio.

"But (Andres) Iniesta was spectacular," he said, referring to the midfielder who scored the crucial goal that gave Spain a 1-0 extra-time win on Sunday.

"I was convinced we were going to win. But it's true that they tried to destroy our game by playing aggressively. We deserved it, we fought until the last minute."

He said the victory would give some "confidence" to the country, which is suffering amid an economic crisis.

"All generations since I was young have hoped to win the World Cup, and finally, finally it has happened."

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