Spain has claimed its second World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium. The victory marks a significant achievement for Spain, extending their unbeaten international run to a European-record 38 matches. The match saw Argentina‘s captain, Lionel Messi, experience a rare occurrence in his extensive World Cup career, as he failed to create a single chance for a teammate.
The decisive goal came in the 106th minute of extra time, with Ferran Torres finding the back of the net after receiving a header from Nico Williams. This goal was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, while Argentina managed only two shots, neither of which were on target. Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, highlighted that their primary strategy was to contain Messi, a plan that proved highly effective.
Spain’s Dominant Performance
Spain’s disciplined defensive display was central to their success. They largely neutralised Argentina‘s attacking threats, particularly Lionel Messi, who had only 15 touches in the first half and finished the game with 54 touches. Messi rarely received possession in dangerous areas, and his passing combinations did not connect as effectively as in previous matches. This marked the first time in his 34 World Cup appearances across six tournaments that he did not create at least one chance for a teammate.
The statistics from the match underscore Spain’s dominance: they completed 845 passes compared to Argentina‘s 433. Spain’s defensive solidity throughout the tournament was also notable, with an xG against of 0.3 per game. Goalkeeper Unai Simón commented that his gloves had little work to do, reflecting the team’s collective effort in stifling opponents.
Messi’s Unwanted Milestone and Argentina’s Campaign
For Lionel Messi, the defeat was a disappointing end to an otherwise strong tournament. Despite leading Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final with eight goals and four assists, and becoming the first player to start three FIFA World Cup finals, he could not secure a second title. This marked his 34th World Cup appearance, and he concluded the tournament with 125 international goals.
Following the final whistle, Messi was seen being consoled by several Spain players and walked through a guard of honour as Argentina collected their runners-up medals. The pain of the loss was evident, particularly given the team’s strong run to the final.
Celebrations and Individual Accolades
The Spain squad celebrated their victory with enthusiasm. Rodrigo Hernández, who was named the tournament’s best player, collected the trophy and the individual award. Pau Cubarsí received the young player award, and Unai Simón was awarded the Golden Glove. Each Spanish player received a replica World Cup trophy in a Louis Vuitton trunk, along with a Lego version.
The celebrations were brief as the team had a flight scheduled for 11pm. In the dressing room, champagne was opened, and players like Nico Williams shared their medals with family members. Marc Cucurella, who had buried a coin in the pitch before the match as a good luck charm, now faces the prospect of getting a tattoo of coach Luis de la Fuente‘s face, a promise he made if Spain won the World Cup.
The victory is seen as a triumph for the collective and for coach Luis de la Fuente, who began his coaching career in the third tier and worked his way up through the Spanish youth system, winning multiple European Championships before leading the senior side to World Cup glory. The team’s success was built over 51 days, culminating in their win in New York.
The World Cup final was a culmination of Luis de la Fuente‘s coaching journey, which saw him win the European Championship with the under-19s and under-21s before achieving success with the senior team.
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Source: theguardian.com
