Spain are champions of the world. Ferran Torres struck in extra time to beat ten-man Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final in New York, ending a sixteen-year wait for a second title and deciding the first Spain–Argentina final in World Cup history. There was no fairytale ending for Lionel Messi — and no first back-to-back triumph since Brazil in 1962 for the holders.
A final of fine margins — and one red card
After 90 minutes it was goalless, but the story had already turned on Enzo Fernández’s red card. The midfielder whose late strike had helped sink England in the semi-final left Argentina to survive extra time with ten men — and survival was all they could attempt. Deep into the second period of extra time, Argentina had still not managed a single shot on target, with Messi isolated and Spain squeezing the game exactly as they had all tournament. Torres, sent on to stretch tired legs, delivered the blow the pressure had long promised.
Echoes of 2010
Spain’s only previous World Cup, in Johannesburg in 2010, followed the same script: goalless after 90 minutes, decided in extra time — Andrés Iniesta then, Ferran Torres now. The reigning European champions add the world title to their Euro 2024 crown, and after the goalless opening draw with Cape Verde they won seven straight matches, conceding just twice in the knockout rounds — including the semi-final dismantling of France.
No fairytale for Messi
At 39, in what may well prove his final World Cup appearance, Messi could not force the ending Argentina craved. He finishes the tournament with eight goals — the Golden Boot goes to Kylian Mbappé with ten — and the all-time World Cup scoring record stays with the Frenchman, 22 to 21, after Saturday’s ten-goal bronze medal epic. Argentina leave as beaten finalists in their bid to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
Yamal’s world now
The first career meeting between Lamine Yamal and Messi ended with the 19-year-old lifting the trophy the Argentine has already won. One era closed in New York on Sunday night; another, in the brightest possible colours, has begun. The World Cup is over — and the Premier League season is now only weeks away.
UPDATE (post-match details): Ferran Torres’s winner came in the 106th minute — a left-footed finish from ten yards. Enzo Fernández’s dismissal was a second yellow card in stoppage time at the very end of normal time (90+3), leaving Argentina a man short for the whole of extra time. The final numbers underline Spain’s control: 65 per cent possession and 19 shots to Argentina’s ten — not one of which hit the target. Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves, reported as a record for a World Cup final, to keep the holders alive for as long as he did.