Spain Beats Argentina 'Mercilessly' to win the World Cup

Argentina and Spain produce a dour final littered with stoppages

President Donald Trump is in attendance – and there is a 27-minute half-time interval including performances from Madonna and Justin Bieber

Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez is sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Pau Cubarsi

Ferran Torres breaks the deadlock after 106 minutes with a close-range strike

Spain deservedly won a desperately disappointing World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina.

The European title holders had created the best opportunities against the defending world 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.

The game failed to live up to expectations as it descended into a war of attrition – while away from the action, this was the World Cup where razzmatazz and superstars came to the showpiece.

President Donald Trump flew in to New Jersey in one of a fleet of helicopters before kick-off, while Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, stretching the interval out to 27 minutes.

In a dour affair littered with interruptions, followed by that lengthy interval, the game never had any fluency or flow, although Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forced first-half saves out of Argentina keeper Martinez.

Spain constantly complained about referee Slavko Vincic’s leniency, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was late on Dani Olmo, with the first yellow card coming after 40 minutes when Lisandro Martinez brought down Oyarzabal, although the Manchester United defender went off injured shortly afterwards.

The game boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, who had already been cautioned, received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge 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. Williams then had a goal ruled out for substitute Mikel Merino’s foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina came back to beat Egypt and England in the knockout stage – but could not repeat the feat here as Spain won the men’s World Cup for the second time.

And it means they become the first nation ever to be men’s and women’s world champions at the same time.

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Spain analysis: From slow start to glory
Spain’s World Cup campaign started with a goalless draw against Cape Verde – and ended with the glory of claiming football’s greatest prize for the second time.

And it was a fully merited triumph for a Spain team who grew into the tournament, outclassing highly favoured France in the semi-final and actually trying to win this poor World Cup final through pure football methods.

Their understated coach Luis de la Fuente has led them with commendable calm, guiding them when they beat England in Berlin to win the Euro 2024 final, and his team had to show that composure in the face of provocation from Argentina.

Spain had the numerical advantage after Fernandez’s dismissal, and were rarely troubled in defence, while the introduction of Williams as substitute gave them real cutting edge.

This was not a final that matched some of the excitement seen over the tournament, but the World Cup got the winners it deserved.

Argentina analysis: Messi’s sad farewell?
If this was to be the great Lionel Messi’s final World Cup game, it ended in the bitter disappointment of the holders losing their crown, and with Argentina’s icon unable to influence events.

The latest version of Messi, now 39, plays much of the game at walking pace, but he has still scored eight goals in this World Cup and has been Argentina’s leader and inspiration once more, especially in the semi-final win against England, where he created both goals in their 2-1 win.

Here, he was well marshalled by Spain, having only one shot, which was not on target, and was kept well away from dangerous area.

Messi was not helped by Argentina’s approach, as they seemed intent on reducing Spain to frustration, instead of concentrating on the quality they can actually produce.

Argentina produced plenty of thrills along the way as they tried to retain the World Cup, but they can have no complaints about Spain’s victory.