EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Spain is back on top of the soccer world after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday. Ferran Torres' goal in the 106th minute proved to be the difference, giving Spain its second World Cup title and denying Lionel Messi a second consecutive championship in what he indicated would be his final World Cup match.

The match was a tense affair from the start, with both teams showing defensive discipline. Spain dominated possession and chances, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez making a record 12 saves in a World Cup final to keep his team in the game. However, the Spanish attack finally broke through after Argentina was reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle in stoppage time of regulation.

Torres, a second-half substitute, pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and fired a left-footed shot under the crossbar. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Spanish players and fans, and the team's defense held firm for the remaining 14 minutes to secure the win.

"It was a goal scored by 47 million people," Torres said, referring to Spain's population. "When you have Messi on the other side, well, you are nervous. At the end of the day, we always depended on us. We always come up with our football, and we showed it again."

The victory capped a remarkable tournament for Spain, which allowed only one goal in eight matches — a record for fewest goals allowed by a champion. The team's defensive solidity, combined with its trademark possession-based style, proved too much for opponents to handle.

Defensive dominance

Spain's defensive record was the cornerstone of its success. The team conceded just one goal in the entire tournament, a statistic that underscores the discipline and organization instilled by coach Luis de la Fuente. At 65, de la Fuente became the oldest coach to lead a team to a World Cup title.

"I feel pride, to be honest," de la Fuente said. "Accompanying them on this journey is an honor."

The defensive effort was epitomized by the performance of goalkeeper Unai Simon and center-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi. Against Argentina, Spain took the game's first 20 shots on goal before Argentina managed its first attempt, which came in the second half of extra time. Spain also took nine of the first 10 corner kicks, dominating the game from start to finish.

"Dibu was nothing short of exceptional," de la Fuente said, referring to Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was a constant obstacle for Spain's attackers.

Messi's final World Cup

For Lionel Messi, the defeat marked a painful end to his World Cup journey. The 39-year-old star had led Argentina to the title in 2022 and was seeking to become the first player to win back-to-back World Cups since the 1960s. However, Spain's suffocating defense and tactical discipline prevented Messi from having his usual impact.

Messi was reduced to taking corner kicks in the final minutes, and his last chance to create a goal came when his corner found Giuliano Simeone, who sent the ball high over the bar. After the final whistle, Messi walked off the field in tears, a poignant image of a legend's final bow on the world stage.

Messi had hinted before the tournament that this would be his last World Cup. He had previously retired from the national team after a Copa America defeat in 2016, only to return and lead Argentina to glory. In this tournament, he carried the hopes of a nation but ultimately fell short against a Spanish team that had no answer for its defense.

"We lost the game, and we accept that," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "That doesn't mean that we will forget everything we've done so far, so I'd like to thank my people, my players and the country. I can tell them that we played our hearts out."

Spain's historic achievement

This World Cup title also gave Spain a unique distinction: combined with the Women's World Cup won in 2023, Spain became the first nation to hold both the men's and women's titles simultaneously. The achievement sparked massive celebrations across Spain, with thousands of fans pouring into the streets of Madrid and other cities.

Spain's journey to the title was marked by an unbeaten run of 38 matches — 29 wins and nine draws — the longest such streak by any European men's team. The streak includes victories over many top sides, and it shows the depth and quality of Spanish football under de la Fuente's leadership.

"I spoke to my players, and they said: 'Look, we've won everything, coach. We've won everything,'" de la Fuente said. "And that is beautiful."

Midfielder Rodri, who was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, reflected on the team's mentality. "As I told the lads before the game, we have to go for the game, we need to face them, we have to look to their eyes and say we want this game," he said. "And then, life gives you the World Cup or not."

On this day, life gave Spain the World Cup. The team's dominance, defensive solidity, and tactical brilliance ensured that the trophy would return to a nation that has become a powerhouse in world football. For Argentina, the defeat was a heartbreaking end to a tournament that promised so much, but in the end, Spain's plan was simple and flawless: hold the ball, deny chances, and strike when it mattered most.

The final also featured a spectacular halftime show with performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, and others, along with appearances by celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson. The event was watched by an estimated 2 billion people worldwide, a testament to the global appeal of the sport and the drama of a World Cup final.

Spain's victory was not just a triumph of tactics and skill but also a testament to the resilience of a team that refused to be beaten. From the opening match to the final whistle, Spain showed why it deserves to be called world champion once again.

Source:MSN News