Spain won its second World Cup title, defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, in one of the most one-sided finals in tournament history.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, finishing from close range after fellow substitute Nico Williams kept the ball alive with a driving run. Argentina, reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernández’s second yellow card late in regulation, failed to register a single shot in normal time and managed only two attempts all match, neither on target.
The result denies Argentina back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and likely closes the book on Messi’s World Cup career at 39.
Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches and claimed their first title since 2010, when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal beat the Netherlands. Nineteen-year-old Lamine Yamal and Ballon d’Or holder Rodri were pivotal to Spain’s title-winning campaign.
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