By
Arinze Izik
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. โ Spain are world champions again. Ferran Torres struck early in the second half of extra time to seal a 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, giving La Roja their second World Cup crown.
The Barcelona forward finished from close range after Nico Williamsโ header dropped to him from a Pedro Porro cross. Up to that point Spain had controlled the game, creating the clearer chances and forcing several key saves from Argentinaโs Emiliano โDibuโ Martรญnez, including a brilliant stop from Williams at the start of extra time.
The match played out much as many expected. Spain dominated possession while Argentina looked to feed 39-year-old Lionel Messi. That approach worked in earlier rounds with late comebacks against Egypt and England, but Spainโs freshness and technical edge made it tough. Argentina didnโt manage a single shot until the 115th minute โ a record low for a World Cup finalist.
The game turned physical, with referee Slavko Vincic letting a lot go before finally showing Enzo Fernรกndez a second yellow in stoppage time for a foul on Pau Cubarsรญ.
Messi said this would be his last World Cup. He leaves with 8 goals and 4 assists in the tournament. It was Argentinaโs third final in the last four editions, after losing to Germany in 2014 and beating France in 2022.
For Spain, already European champions, the win capped a run in which they conceded just once in eight games โ to Belgium in the quarterfinals. Coach Luis de la Fuente faced questions for leaving Pedri on the bench again, but the approach paid off. โ Gab Marcotti
A win for control over chaos
It wasnโt a classic final, but Spain stayed patient and were rewarded for their belief in their style. They finished with 20 shots to Argentinaโs 2, and 12 on target to 0.
De la Fuenteโs side donโt have the individual fireworks of France or Argentinaโs late comebacks, but they dictate tempo and possession better than anyone. Thatโs why theyโre now on a 38-match unbeaten run. โ Mark Ogden
What worked for Argentina before, failed them now
Going 117 minutes without a shot tells you everything. Regular time ended with zero attempts โ on or off target โ something only Costa Rica had done twice before in World Cup history.
Part of it was Spainโs press and possession. But Scaloniโs setup also deserves scrutiny. He built around Messi knowing the 39-year-old couldnโt press. Argentina played narrow to stay compact, relying on Mac Allister, De Paul and Paredes for grit rather than dynamism. Playing with one striker meant choosing between รlvarez and Martรญnez every game, and there was no space for someone like Nico Paz.
It got them to the final, with Messi dragging them through. But with no Plan B, Argentina faded into fouls and frustration, while talented players stayed on the bench. โ Marcotti
Martรญnez keeps it respectable
Dibu Martรญnez was Argentinaโs only real bright spot. He made 11 saves in 120 minutes โ tied for second-most in a World Cup knockout game in 60 years.
He did it with a fractured ring finger on his right hand, suffered in warm-ups before the Europa League final with Aston Villa. He avoided surgery and admitted it still hurts daily. Without him, the scoreline could have been worse. โ Lizzy Becherano
A quiet farewell for Messi
The storybook ending didnโt come. In 120 minutes plus added time, Messi had 1 shot blocked, 0 touches in the box, was dispossessed twice and fouled four times.
After Fernรกndezโs red card, he was essentially a lone striker in a 4-4-1. In those conditions, there was little he could do.
He first retired from Argentina after the 2016 Copa Amรฉrica final in this same stadium. He came back months later and won a World Cup, two Copas and a Finalissima after turning 34. The exit was subdued, but his legacy is secure. โ Marcotti
Halftime show runs long
FIFA didnโt confirm details beforehand, and the break ended up far longer than the 15 minutes in the laws. From whistle to restart was 27 minutes, 20 seconds.
Madonna, Justin Bieber and Shakira ,Burna boy performed, but the long pause killed what little momentum the game had. Add in hydration breaks and the intensity never returned.
Donโt expect this to be the last gimmick while Gianni Infantino is in charge. โ Ogden
