The 23-year-old saved two set points in the opener before going on to win the following nine games in a 7-5, 6-0 victory under the roof on Centre Court.

It is the second Grand Slam title of the Spaniard's career as she became the first player to beat both of the Williams sisters in major finals.

She also defeated Serena Williams to win the French Open crown in 2016.

"I had the hardest match today against Venus," Muguruza told BBC Sport.

"She's such an incredible player.

"I grew up watching her play.

"I feel incredible to be able to play her here.

"Of course I'm nervous because I always dreamed about winning it, but I was composed."

Muguruza replicated coach Conchita Martinez to become only the second Spanish woman to win the Wimbledon singles title on the grass.

During the opening set, with the roof keeping out the rain, it proved impossible to separate the two as they both served emphatically. 

Williams was presented with two set points at 5-4 but failed to capitalise as Muguruza then embarked on her spectacular run, which saw her take the opening set before cruising to the second.

Muguruza denied Williams a first major title for nine years, which would have made her the oldest female Grand Slam champion in the Open era at 37.

Singles action is due to conclude tomorrow with the men's final.

Switzerland's Roger Federer is one win away from an emphatic eighth Wimbledon title and will face Croatia's Marin Cilic in the final.

Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo secured the men's doubles title following a marathon match this evening.

After tournament officials closed the roof to allow flood lights to illuminate the court, Kubot and Melo finally clinched a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6, 3-6, 13-11 win over Austria’s Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic of Croatia after more than four hours of play.

The women's doubles final eventually started after the conclusion of the men's but it proved to be far less competitive.

Russian second seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina sealed victory by thumping opponents Hao-Ching Chan of Chinese Tapei and Monica Niculescu of Romania 6-0, 6-0.