TORONTO - Some cheered, others mourned, all of them felt the excitement, anguish and emotion of a soccer game played a continent away.

Canadians watching the World Cup final on Sunday took to the streets in the country's major cities, either in jubilant masses or dejected crowds depending on which side they supported after Spain scored in extra time to defeat the Netherlands 1-0.

Parts of Toronto's downtown core took on the red and yellow of Spain's flag as jubilant fans celebrated their first World Cup title.

The ground shook at the Plaza Flamingo on College Street as fans pounded on walls and tables when the game's lone goal was scored.

At the final whistle the celebration spilled onto the streets, as elated Spanish fans danced on a U-Haul truck, a streetcar, and even a transit shelter. A handful of police stood nearby, unable to do anything but watch.

Spanish flags flapped as cars zipped through the streets, honking to mark the win.

Soon, several main transit routes were shut down as an impromptu parade formed near College and Bathurst Streets in the city's west end.

They were dancing in Vancouver too.

More than 1,000 people had crowded onto Granville Street, watching the game on a large screen in a scene reminiscent of the throngs of people that choked the city's downtown during celebrations at February's Olympics.

The winning goal brought Spanish fans to their feet, as they erupted in a raucous roar while dancing in the street and draping themselves in flags.

Enrique Melus, a 15-year-old who lives in Barcelona and is studying in Vancouver, was elated.

"It was a good game, but the goal arrived late," he said, with two Spanish flags painted on his face.

"It was very emotional. I don't know how to say it -- I'm so happy for Spain."

In Toronto's west end, School bakery and cafe overflowed with more than 2,000 Dutch fans. All game the sea of orange rose up and down in fits of excitement and anger.

But when Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta, scored in 116th minute, the place fell silent for a moment, then ripped into a frenzied rage.

"Offside! Offside!" They cried, begging for a miracle. But when the replay came, silence descended once more.

Dan Vanderwerf, painted in Dutch colours, clutched his orange afro wig in dejection.

"My heart just broke in half," he said.

The 22-year-old was one of the many fans who arrived early Sunday morning to get a spot to watch the final.

Brad Moore, owner of School, said fans started arriving at the bakery before 7 a.m.

A handful of police officers showed up partway through the game to control the crowd and curtail drinking on the closed-down street in front of the bakery.

Rain poured at the end of regulation time, but most of the fans held their ground, using flags as make-shift umbrellas, with little success.

Still they clapped, jeered and cheered -- until the fateful goal took their hopes away.

Essa Alkawari, 18, was one of the brave Spanish fans who watched the match at the Dutch hot spot.

"At first I entered here without a shirt," he said, of the red and yellow jersey he donned. "But then I felt the Spanish glory in me, so I just put it on."

As heavy-hearted Dutch fans slowly streamed out the door, he smiled and said, "I feel real awesome right now."

Celebrations swept through Spain after the victory. Fireworks lit up the Madrid sky as herds of people danced through the streets and jammed city squares.

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, 100,000 fans had crammed into a central Amsterdam square to watch the game.

In The Hague, fans wept and hugged at the final whistle and tossed handfuls of orange confetti into the air.

The post-game fever even extended to Prime Minister Stephen Harper who issued a statement congratulating Spain on its victory.

Harper highlighted the unifying nature of the game, saying Canadians from coast to coast have been following the World Cup with "great enthusiasm and fervour."

"The passionate fan base across this country for each participating team is a vivid demonstration of both Canada's multicultural heritage and the uniting power of sport, especially `the beautiful game,"' he said.

"We are all inspired by our shared goal of seeing Team Canada again in the World Cup and hopeful that it will be as soon as Brazil 2014!"

-- With files from Patrick Dell in Toronto, James Keller in Vancouver and the Associated Press.