Spaniard Ferran Torres (7) celebrates scoring his first goal during the World Cup final against Argentina. (AP photo)
Spain won its second FIFA World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored a late winner in extra time to break Argentina’s resistance in a thrilling final. Lionel Messi’s 10-man side failed to become the first team since Brazil 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title.Spain finally succeeded in achieving the breakthrough after a tense and exciting match, as Torres scored in the 106th minute, giving La Roja a 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina and depriving Messi of achieving another dream in the World Cup.After 105 minutes of continuous pressure, missed opportunities, and heroic Argentine resistance, Torres struck the decisive blow just 37 seconds after the start of the second half of extra time.The goal came after a wonderful team move. Pedro Porro sent a deep cross into the penalty area, which Neco Williams headed back into the danger zone, and Torres arrived late to score into the roof of the goal.Spain erupted in celebrations as Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain a World Cup title ended.The goal was reward for Spain’s dominance throughout the match. The Spanish national team controlled the ball, created most of the chances and repeatedly tested Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who kept his team alive with a record performance in the final.
Argentina, down to ten men after a late red card from Enzo Fernandez in normal time, was left chasing the game outnumbered and with little attacking threat.
Messi’s final World Cup ends in heartbreak as Argentina battle with ten men
It seemed that the final match was headed to a penalty shootout after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in 90 minutes and the first half of extra time.Spain saw a goal disallowed earlier in extra time when Neco Williams scored, but the referee ruled that Mikel Merino had committed a foul against Nicolas Otamendi before the end.But Argentina’s resistance suffered a heavy blow before extra time when Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a near-final challenge with Pau Cobarci.The midfielder, who scored Argentina’s equalizer in their semi-final win over England, protested the decision, but referee Slavko Vincic did not hesitate.With 10 players on the field, Argentina were forced to adopt a defensive approach.
Coach Lionel Scaloni replaced Julian Alvarez with defender Marcos Sensi as Spain continued to advance.The defeat ended Argentina’s dream of winning the World Cup title for the fourth time and deprived Messi of the opportunity to lift the cup for the second tournament in a row.Messi, who was widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, struggled to influence the game as Spain’s midfield and defense managed to contain the Argentine star.The defeat also ended Argentina’s impressive run as champion of the tournament after its dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 final in Qatar.Meanwhile, Spain completed the awakening of the golden era by claiming their second World Cup title after their famous 2010 victory in South Africa.The win also capped an extraordinary tournament for teenager Lamine Yamal, who became the first player to play in a UEFA European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final as a teenager.