EAST RUTHERFORD: Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 on Sunday to win the World Cup and shatter Lionel Messi’s dreams of a triumphant farewell to football’s greatest stage.
The Barcelona striker lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team that failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes before a star-studded crowd of 80,663 at MetLife Stadium that included U.S. President Donald Trump.
Spain’s Dominance Finally Pays Off
For long periods, it appeared Argentina might somehow hold on for a penalty shootout as Spain struggled to break through. But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra time, Spain struck decisively.
A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams, who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that clinched Spain’s second World Cup title after their maiden triumph in 2010.
“Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people, not just me or the 26 players,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s approximate population. “At the end of the day, all finals are tough; when you’re up against Messi, there’s a certain nervousness, but we always believed in our football and in ourselves.”
The 39-year-old Argentina captain, almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game, was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early against an Argentina side that committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout. The South Americans’ frustrations ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.
A clear sign of Argentina’s frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo’s ankle. Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card, with Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarding a foul.
Spain made their presence felt moments later, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction. Argentina continued to test Vincic’s patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal’s calf.
Mbappe Claims Golden Boot as Spain Sweeps Individual Awards
French superstar Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win multiple FIFA World Cup Golden Boot awards after Spain’s shutout victory. Mbappe finished with 10 goals for the tournament after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 loss to England in Saturday’s third-place match.
At 27, Mbappe already can call himself the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history. His two second-half goals Saturday pushed him past Messi for the all-time tournament record with 22 in just 22 matches. Messi stayed at 21 and may have played his final World Cup match.
Eight of Mbappe’s 10 goals this summer came in braces. He scored twice against Iraq, Senegal, Sweden and England. He was the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since Gerd Muller of Germany in 1970.
Spain midfielder Rodri collected the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best overall player. While he did not record a single goal or assist in Spain’s eight matches, he completed more passes, covered more distance and had more player involvements than any other player in the tournament. He also played a key role in heavily limiting Messi’s touches during the final.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon and defender Pau Cubarsi were named winners of the Golden Glove award and FIFA Best Young Player award, respectively. The pair each played critical roles in La Roja conceding just one goal, a record for a World Cup-winning team, and allowing only 10 shots on target in eight matches.
Simon finished with seven clean sheets, two more than the previous record for a single World Cup. The 29-year-old’s nine career World Cup clean sheets are one short of the record of 10 shared by former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente sent on Pedri and Torres for Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Oyarzabal, and the chances continued with Argentina in full siege mode. Yamal twisted away and chipped a cross for Torres, whose downward header was saved by Martinez. Pedri and Cubarsi both lashed long-range shots that Martinez failed to grasp at the first attempt, but somehow Argentina continued to hold on.
The arrival of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh life to Spain’s attacking momentum, and the onslaught continued. Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute before Torres and Rodri both fired long-range shots at Martinez. Fernandez’s dismissal left Argentina down to 10 men heading into extra time.
Martinez had one last save deep in stoppage time when Yamal’s superb whipped free-kick was clawed wide. The Spanish dominance continued in extra time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez got down well to save one-handed.
Moments later it appeared Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net, but Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi. But the breakthrough came with Torres’s winner. Argentina made a desperate last raid on Spain’s goal, but La Roja held firm to seal victory.
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