Spain have claimed their second World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a hard-fought final at the MetLife Stadium. The decisive goal came in extra time from substitute Ferran Torres, following a crucial assist from Nico Williams.
The match remained goalless through regular time, with Spain dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities. However, Argentina‘s defence, led by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, proved resilient, frustrating the European champions for much of the game. Martinez made several key saves to keep his side in contention.
Key Moments and Dismissal
The complexion of the game shifted significantly in second-half stoppage time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a tackle on Pau Cubarsi, resulting in his dismissal. This marked Argentina‘s first red card in a World Cup match since 2006, leaving them to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Despite being a man down, Argentina continued to defend resolutely, forcing the game into extra time. Spain maintained their pressure, consistently probing for an opening against their deep-lying opponents. The breakthrough finally arrived in the early moments of the second period of extra time when Torres, who came on in the 62nd minute, finished clinically after a knock-back from Williams.
Player Performances and Tournament Journey
Several Spain players delivered strong performances in the final. Pau Cubarsi was a calm presence in defence and became only the second player on record since 1966 to complete over 100 passes in a World Cup final. Captain Rodri delivered another controlled midfield performance, contributing to his country’s first World Cup triumph since 2010. Lamine Yamal, at 19 years old, ended the tournament with a winner’s medal, having had the first chance of the final.
Nico Williams, who entered the game in the 75th minute, made a significant impact, with Spain appearing dangerous whenever he had the ball. His contribution was crucial in setting up the winning goal. Ferran Torres, also a substitute, was noted for injecting pace into Spain‘s play and reacting quickly to score the decisive goal.
For Argentina, Emiliano Martinez was a standout, making a fine save from Lamine Yamal‘s free-kick late in normal time. Lionel Messi, in what some reports suggest could be his final World Cup appearance, struggled to seriously test the Spain defence. He finished the tournament with eight goals, two behind France‘s Kylian Mbappé.
Spain‘s journey to the final saw them concede only one goal in seven matches, showcasing their effective possession-based style of play. This victory adds to their recent successes, including the European Championship in 2024 and the Nations League in 2023. Argentina, on the other hand, battled through the knockout rounds, overcoming challenges against Egypt and recovering from a goal down to beat England in the semi-finals.
The match also saw some physical exchanges, with Leandro Paredes receiving a booking for shoving Rodri shortly after coming on in the second half. Lisandro Martinez was replaced before half-time due to an injury, with Nicolas Otamendi coming on in his place. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain‘s leading scorer in the tournament with five goals, was kept quiet for large parts of the final.
The final score was Spain 1, Argentina 0.
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Source: rnz.co.nz
