Spain lifted their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina’s resistance and bringing the World Cup back to Spain 16 years after Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner secured the country’s first title in 2010.
Although the final was decided by a single goal, Spain dominated proceedings throughout the match. Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled possession, created 20 goal-scoring opportunities and prevented Argentina from registering a single shot on target during the entire 120 minutes.
The victory also ended Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the men’s FIFA World Cup title.
Torres Delivers the Decisive Blow
The winning move began with Pedro Porro delivering a deep cross into the penalty area. Nico Williams headed the ball back across goal, where Ferran Torres reacted quickest to fire a powerful close-range finish past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Both Torres and Williams had come off the bench, with Spain’s substitutions proving decisive as Argentina’s defence began to tire in extra time.
Martínez had kept Argentina in the contest with 12 saves before finally being beaten by Torres’ strike.
Argentina mounted a late push after conceding, but Giuliano Simeone missed their best chance in stoppage time of extra time, firing over the crossbar. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón completed the final without making a save.
Spain Dominate Possession
Spain controlled the game from the opening whistle with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal leading an attack built on possession and movement.
Rodri and Fabián Ruiz dictated play in midfield, while full-backs Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella provided width throughout the contest.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez in attack, spent much of the match defending deep inside their own half.
Messi was largely isolated and managed only 54 touches across the 120-minute encounter as Spain’s pressing denied Argentina opportunities to launch meaningful attacks.
Despite Spain’s dominance, Argentina remained organised defensively, with Martínez repeatedly frustrating the European champions until extra time.
Red Card Shifts Momentum
Argentina’s task became even more difficult when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time at the end of normal time after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsí.
Playing with 10 men in extra time, Argentina came under sustained pressure.
Spain thought they had taken the lead earlier in extra time through Nico Williams, but the effort was ruled out. Mikel Merino also came close before Torres finally broke the deadlock.
After the goal, Spain comfortably managed the closing stages despite Argentina’s desperate attempts to equalise.
Tensions flared after the final whistle, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes receiving a red card following an altercation involving players from both teams.
Messi’s World Cup Journey Ends
The final was widely expected to be Lionel Messi’s final appearance at a FIFA World Cup.
The 39-year-old captain, who had scored eight goals during the tournament, was unable to influence the final as Spain’s disciplined defensive structure restricted his impact.
Following the final whistle, Messi embraced Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal in a symbolic passing of the torch.
The defeat ended Argentina’s four-year reign as world champions and denied the South American nation a fourth FIFA World Cup title.
Spain Complete Historic Campaign
Spain’s triumph was built on both attacking quality and defensive solidity.
The European champions conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, setting a record for the fewest goals conceded by a men’s FIFA World Cup-winning team.
The victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches.
At 65, head coach Luis de la Fuente became the oldest manager to win the men’s FIFA World Cup. The triumph also added to Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 title and made the country the first to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup crowns after Spain’s women won the global title in 2023.
Individual Honours
Rodri was named the tournament’s best player and received the Golden Ball after another commanding display in midfield.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove, while defender Pau Cubarsí was named the Best Young Player after playing every minute of Spain’s title-winning campaign.
France captain Kylian Mbappé finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, earning the Golden Boot ahead of Messi.
Spain, however, claimed the biggest prize, capping a remarkable tournament with a historic second FIFA World Cup triumph.
