Spain captured their second World Cup title on Sunday, defeating a stubborn Argentina side 1-0 in extra time in a largely frustrating final played in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It was substitute Ferran Torres who delivered the decisive blow, finding the back of the net just 37 seconds into the second period of extra time. Winger Nico Williams headed a cross from Pedro Porro back across goal, setting up Torres to fire the ball into the roof of the net and send Spain’s bench into a frenzy.
Spain, the reigning European champions, controlled much of the match against their South American counterparts but struggled to convert their dominance into goals throughout regulation play.
Argentina’s night grew even more difficult when midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card in stoppage time at the end of the first 90 minutes, leaving his team with only 10 players. Up to that point, Argentina had not managed a single shot on the Spanish goal, dashing their hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles.
With the championship slipping away in the final minutes, Argentina finally pushed forward with attacking intent — but the effort came far too late to change the outcome. Captain Lionel Messi, 39 years old, was left to absorb defeat in what is likely his third and final World Cup final appearance.
Spain came close to sealing the win before extra time when Lamine Yamal, widely regarded as a future rival to Messi’s legendary status, curled a free kick over the defensive wall near the end of regulation. Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who made numerous crucial saves throughout the match, managed to keep it out.
Martinez produced another outstanding stop early in the first extra-time period, denying a close-range header from Williams. The goalkeeper was eventually beaten by the same winger three minutes later, but the referee disallowed that goal due to a foul in the buildup.
Spain’s victory matched their 2010 World Cup triumph, though celebrations were briefly marred by an ugly on-field confrontation involving Argentina players after the final whistle.
