( CNN ) -- Spain will add the World Cup to their European title by beating the Netherlands in Sunday 's final , according to Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff . The 63-year-old was the leading figure in Holland 's revolutionary `` total football '' approach in the 1970s , when he also starred for Spanish giants Barcelona for five years before managing the Catalan club from 1988 to 1996 . Cruyff 's compatriots are seeking to earn the northern European nation a first World Cup title , having lost in the 1974 final in Germany and then again in Argentina four years later when he had retired from the international stage . However , the former Ajax player and manager believes Euro 2008 winners Spain will break their own title drought on soccer 's biggest stage in their first final in Johannesburg . `` Spain have always had good footballers and never a team , but now they have one , '' he said , as quoted by the UK Press Association . `` They have worked very well in the last few years and if they get into their rhythm , they should win . Normally Spain play better [ than Holland ] but that does n't mean they will win . '' Cruyff said coach Bert van Marwijk 's unbeaten Dutch side would present a difficult challenge for the Spaniards . Dream swansong for Dutch captain . `` Holland is a very balanced team , they know their strengths and their weaknesses , and up until now they have always been able to make their strengths shine through , '' he said . `` They have two or three players playing at an exceptional level at the World Cup and the team 's level has risen enormously . '' Spain must improve on their form so far if they are to become the first team in 36 years to win the European Championship and then the World Cup , according to midfielder Andres Iniesta . Only two teams have ever held both titles at once , with France doing it the other way around to Germany by winning the 1998 World Cup and then Euro 2000 . Vicente Del Bosque 's Spain team have yet to fire on all cylinders at the tournament , losing to Switzerland in the opening match and then winning all three knockout stage matches 1-0 -- including the semifinal against Germany . Striker Fernando Torres has struggled to regain his form after knee surgery , leaving five-goal David Villa to shoulder attacking responsibilities . `` The initial defeat against Switzerland upset us all , '' Iniesta said . `` It was the first game and from that moment we had no margin for error . We knew we could not fail . I hope it proves to be the only game we lose . `` We will play better because we will probably have to if we are going to win the World Cup . What we did in the semifinal certainly wo n't help us to win the final . `` But I have confidence in my teammates , and I think this group is able to take the final step . '' Iniesta said his cohorts were well aware of the enormity of the occasion ahead . `` This is a historic event , a unique opportunity for us all . It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up just thinking about it , '' the 26-year-old said . `` We have all dreamed of this moment . But we have to finish the dream . We can not celebrate anything yet . Before us is the challenge of winning a World Cup . `` We are cautious because we know that we still have the last step , and that last step is the most difficult and the most beautiful . ''
Spain favorites to beat Netherlands in Sunday 's World Cup final , says Johan Cruyff . Dutch legend is also popular in Spain after his time with Barcelona as player and coach . Cruyff says Spain now have a strong team , not a collection of individuals as before . Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta says European champions must step up a gear to win .