Spain are the new FIFA World Cup champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a tense final, ending the South American side’s reign as world champions and leaving Lionel Messi heartbroken in what could be his final appearance at the tournament.
The match remained goalless for more than 100 minutes before substitute Ferran Torres became Spain’s hero. In the 106th minute, Nico Williams helped Pedro Porro’s cross into Torres’ path, and the forward struck a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net to give Spain the breakthrough they had been searching for all evening.
Argentina had spent much of the match under pressure, relying heavily on goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to keep them alive. The Aston Villa shot-stopper produced an astonishing performance, making 11 saves — the most by any goalkeeper in a World Cup final since records began.
His saves denied Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Pau Cubarsi, and Aymeric Laporte on numerous occasions, but there was little he could do to stop Torres’ thunderous finish.
The turning point came late in normal time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the third minute of stoppage time. Already on a yellow card after protesting to referee Slavko Vincic earlier in the match, Fernandez received a second booking for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi, leaving Argentina to play extra time with 10 men.
Even before the dismissal, Argentina struggled badly in attack; the defending champions failed to register a single shot during the 90 minutes, becoming the first team since detailed World Cup records began in 1966 to finish a normal time of a World Cup final without attempting a shot.
Lionel Messi, who had carried Argentina through previous tournaments, was largely kept quiet by Spain’s disciplined defence. His first goal attempt did not arrive until the 117th minute, when his volley struck Mikel Merino in the face.
Argentina’s only other effort came moments later when Giuliano Simeone missed a golden opportunity after Spain failed to clear a corner, sending his shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Spain had looked the more dangerous side throughout the contest. Lamine Yamal forced Martinez into an early save after his effort took a deflection, while Unai Simon produced one of Spain’s key defensive moments by rushing well outside his penalty area to clear the ball before Messi could reach it.
After halftime, Spain continued to dominate possession and create chances. Dani Olmo tested Martinez with a powerful strike, while headers from Torres and Aymeric Laporte were comfortably dealt with by the Argentine goalkeeper.
Nico Williams also thought he had doubled Spain’s lead during extra time, only for the goal to be ruled out after Mikel Merino was judged to have fouled Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up.
Torres later found the net again, but that effort was also disallowed for a marginal offside.
Off the pitch, the final also delivered a spectacular halftime show featuring Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho alongside global music stars Madonna and Shakira, giving fans one of the tournament’s biggest entertainment moments.
The victory completed another remarkable chapter for Spain under coach Luis de la Fuente. After winning the UEFA European Championship, La Roja have now added the World Cup, becoming only the fourth nation to win the European Championship and the World Cup in succession, joining West Germany, France, and Spain’s own golden generation between 2008 and 2012.
Messi was unable to repeat the triumph he enjoyed in Qatar four years earlier, and many believe Sunday’s final could be the last World Cup match of his legendary career.
The disappointment did not end there. Messi also finished second in the Golden Boot race behind France captain Kylian Mbappe, whose tally of 22 World Cup goals made him the competition’s all-time leading scorer, moving one ahead of the Argentine icon’s 21.
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with several players confronting each other as emotions boiled over following Argentina’s defeat.
For Spain, however, the night belonged to Ferran Torres. Introduced from the bench, he produced the goal that secured the country’s second FIFA World Cup title and wrote his name into Spanish football history alongside Andres Iniesta, whose extra-time strike delivered Spain’s first World Cup crown in 2010.
