Spain Wins Second World Cup Title, Beating 10-Man Argentina 1-0 in Further Time

Spain are world champions for the second time in historical past after Ferran Torres struck in further time to beat a 10-man Argentina facet 1-0 in a tense, bodily last at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The victory introduced a rugged, foul-marred World Cup showpiece to a detailed and denied Argentina — and Lionel Messi — the prospect to develop into the primary crew to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1962.

The Goal

Substitute Ferran Torres, on for Mikel Oyarzabal within the 62nd minute, settled the match simply after the restart of the second interval of additional time. In the 106th minute, full-back Pedro Porro floated a deep cross to the again publish, the place Nico Williams rose to cushion a header again throughout objective. Torres met it with a clear, first-time volley that beat goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez at his close to publish.

“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres mentioned afterward, referring to Spain’s inhabitants.

Argentina Down to 10 Men

The turning level arrived moments earlier than full time in regulation. In the third minute of stoppage time, with the rating nonetheless 0-0, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández dedicated a reckless late problem on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí. Referee Slavko Vinčić confirmed a second yellow card, sending Fernández off and leaving Argentina to play the whole lot of additional time a person brief.

A One-Sided Final

Despite the scoreline staying stage deep into the match, the sport was lopsided in territory and probabilities. Spain managed greater than 65 % of possession and had already created a string of alternatives earlier than the sending-off, however Argentina’s protection — and particularly Martínez — held agency.

Martínez completed with 11 saves, probably the most by any goalkeeper in a World Cup last, denying Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte amongst others throughout the 120 minutes.

Argentina, for his or her half, barely threatened on the different finish. They didn’t register a single shot in regulation time, and it wasn’t till the 117th minute — with Messi driving one from distance — that they managed their first try of the match. Two minutes into second-half stoppage time, Giuliano Simeone had the most effective of Argentina’s few sights of objective however volleyed over the crossbar from shut vary.

The End of Messi’s World Cup Career

Much of the buildup to the ultimate centered on what is anticipated to be the final World Cup match of Lionel Messi’s profession. The 39-year-old, showing in a record-equaling third World Cup last as a starter — and the oldest outfield participant to begin one — was shackled for nearly all the match by Spain’s protection.

It was a muted last act for a participant who had scored eight targets throughout the match, ending two behind France’s Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot. Messi’s late free-kick and a fouled problem on Mikel Merino had been amongst his solely notable involvements. He leaves the World Cup stage with 21 profession targets within the competitors, one shy of Mbappé’s all-time document, and simply the one title — received in 2022 — to his identify.

A Defensive Masterclass

Spain’s win was constructed on one of the vital disciplined defensive shows in World Cup last historical past. The crew conceded only a single objective throughout all the match — the fewest ever by a champion — regardless of taking part in extra matches (eight) than any earlier winner, a byproduct of the expanded 48-team format.

The outcome additionally prolonged Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches throughout all competitions (29 wins, 9 attracts), shifting previous Italy’s 2018–21 stretch for the longest such streak by a males’s nationwide crew. Head coach Luis de la Fuente, 65, grew to become the oldest coach to steer a crew to a World Cup title.

“We are world champions,” de la Fuente mentioned. “It was together we reached this stage.”

Spain develop into simply the third reigning European champions to additionally win the World Cup, becoming a member of their very own 2008–2010 facet and West Germany’s 1972–74 crew.

Post-Match Tension

Emotions boiled over after the ultimate whistle, with tempers flaring between the 2 squads within the moments following Spain’s win — a becoming coda to a last that had been feisty all through.

The Bigger Picture

The match was the 104th and last recreation of the biggest World Cup ever held, a 48-team match co-hosted throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The expanded format additionally produced a document objective tally for the competitors, with greater than 307 targets scored throughout the match.

The event drew a world highlight effectively past the pitch. Attendees included actors Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Matt Damon; NBA stars Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant and James Harden; tennis gamers Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz; NFL figures Eli Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley; skiers Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn; and soccer figures together with Kaká, David Beckham, Didier Drogba and Zinedine Zidane, alongside a reunion of Spain’s title-winning 2010 squad. U.S. President Donald Trump additionally attended and was set to participate within the trophy presentation.

The closing ceremony, headlined by Post Malone, started roughly 90 minutes earlier than kickoff. FIFA’s first-ever halftime present, a part of a 27-minute break, featured Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS, together with Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus performing with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets.