A Ferran Torres strike deep into extra-time secured Spain a second World Cup crown, as they overcame Argentina 1-0 at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday.
The European champions had created the best opportunities against the 2022 champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra-time.
Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’ header to beat Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
President Donald Trump flew in to New Jersey in one of a fleet of helicopters before kick-off, while Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, stretching the break to 27 minutes.
In a first half that saw few and far chances, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forced first-half saves out of Argentina keeper Martinez.
The game boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, who had already been cautioned, received a second yellow card for a reckless barge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi.
Argentina keeper Martinez had been their hero, and he prevented Spain scoring a winner in the final seconds of normal time when he made a superb save from Lamine Yamal’s free-kick.
He was in action again with another crucial stop from Williams’ header before the Bilbao man had a goal ruled for substitute Mikel Merino’s foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
But the Argentine resistance was eventually broken after 106 minutes, when Torres picked his space inside the area, latching onto Williams’ knock down and powering an effort into the roof of the net.
That secured Spain a sixth victory in seven major tournament finals, while leaving Argentina and Messi – who failed to build on their 2022 final triumph and become the first side in 64 years to defend the World Cup – to ponder what could’ve been in what was likely his last international appearance.
Spain won their first World Cup title 16 years ago in South Africa.
