Spain Claims Second World Cup Title After Extra-Time Victory Over Argentina
Spain lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time on Sunday, edging out defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The winning goal came from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, concluding a fiercely competitive final and handing coach Luis de la Fuente's team their second World Cup triumph, sixteen years after their first in 2010.
The victory also marked a rare Euro-World Cup double for Spain, further cementing their place among football’s elite nations.
Torres' Decisive Strike Ends Messi’s Hopes
Ferran Torres, playing as a striker for Barcelona, delivered a powerful finish that broke the deadlock in extra time, frustrating Lionel Messi’s attempt to finish his international career with another World Cup win. Throughout the match, Spain dominated possession and limited Argentina to no shots on target during the entire 120 minutes.
The stadium was packed with 80,663 fans, including former US President Donald Trump, who watched as Argentina’s captain Messi, 39, struggled to influence the game. Spain took control early while Argentina resorted to a series of rough fouls, which culminated in midfielder Enzo Fernandez receiving a red card for a late challenge on Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi during stoppage time.
Match Highlights and Controversies
Despite Spain’s dominance, the match stayed scoreless for long stretches, and it seemed Argentina might hold out for penalties. A goal by Nico Williams was disallowed controversially in extra time, but soon after, Spain capitalized. A lofted cross from Pedro Porro reached Williams, who headed the ball to Torres, enabling him to score the winning goal.
"Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people — not just me or the 26 players," Torres said, referring to Spain’s population. "All finals are tough; facing Messi always brings nervousness, but we believed in our football and ourselves."
Messi was seen with tears as he accepted the runners-up medal during the trophy presentation, led by Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The crowd booed Trump loudly as he took the field alongside Infantino before they handed the trophy to Spanish captain Rodri, who orchestrated the midfield brilliantly during the match.
Spain Coach Praises Team Effort
Luis de la Fuente expressed pride in his squad after the win, saying, "We have won everything, and that is wonderful. They are a generation of footballers who make Spain proud. Together, we are stronger."
Physical Battle and Referee Decisions
Before kickoff, experts suggested Argentina’s plan would focus on disrupting Spain’s rhythm through aggressive play, and early in the match, Alexis Mac Allister made a dangerous studs-up tackle on Dani Olmo but avoided a yellow card. Spain's Alex Baena also hit Messi with an elbow that went unpunished. Argentina continued with persistent fouls, pushing referee Slavko Vincic to caution Lisandro Martinez later in the game.
The half-time show, featuring performances by Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, lasted 27 minutes but did not disrupt Spain’s flow. The Spanish side increased pressure in the second half, bringing on substitutes like Pedri and Ferran Torres to boost their attack. Despite several long-range attempts on goal, Argentina held on stubbornly.
Late Red Card and Extra Time Drama
Substitutes Nico Williams and Mikel Merino injected energy into Spain’s offense, but a reckless challenge by Fernandez led to his sending off before extra time began. Spain maintained dominance in the added period, with Williams nearly scoring before his goal was ruled out for a marginal foul. Still, Torres found the net to clinch the title.
Argentina launched a final desperate attack, but Spain's defense stood firm to secure their historic victory.
