Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup champions for the second time after Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute to secure a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in Sunday's final.
Torres' decisive goal echoed one of the most iconic moments in Spanish football history, arriving 16 years after Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner against the Netherlands sealed La Roja's maiden World Cup triumph in 2010.
Spain controlled the contest from the opening whistle, dominating possession and creating chance after chance. They finished with 20 shots, while defending champions Argentina failed to register a single attempt on goal throughout the match.
Argentina's task became even harder late in normal time when Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí. Reduced to 10 men, Lionel Scaloni's side spent the remainder of the match under constant pressure.
The breakthrough finally arrived early in the second period of extra time. Pedro Porro delivered a curling cross to the far post, where Nico Williams headed the ball back across goal. Torres met it with a powerful half-volley that flew beyond Emiliano Martínez to spark Spanish celebrations.
The victory made Spain the first nation to win the World Cup while conceding just one goal throughout the tournament. They also remain the only country to have completed the European Championship-World Cup double in consecutive major tournaments, achieving the feat for a second time.
For Argentina, the defeat ended a remarkable run of success that included the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024. Lionel Messi, now 39, finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists but was largely kept quiet by Spain's disciplined midfield and defence.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced an outstanding performance with 11 saves to keep Argentina in the contest, but he could do little to stop Torres' winner. The Albiceleste also missed the chance to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.
Torres' strike was his only goal of the tournament, but it proved to be the most important, delivering Spain another historic World Cup crown.
Comments
See what people are discussing