To my eye Spain looked the better team throughout, so I’d say the better team won.
You’re right. The Netherlands played a very defensive and physical game. Spain showed a lot more skill IMHO. Seemed like every time I looked up at the screen there was a guy in an orange shirt pleading his case to the ref, drawing a yellow card...
Netherlands played like they believed that a good defense would win with no offense, depending on winning by penalty kicks.
Seconded.