EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Spain reclaimed the top spot of world football here on Sunday, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tight FIFA World Cup final decided by substitute Ferran Torres' goal in the 106th minute.
The game, played in front of a sold-out MetLife Stadium, was supposed to be a matchup of two of the best national teams in the world. Instead, it became a cautious tactical battle with few clear chances.
Spain had struggled to convert their dominance in possession into goals, but Torres, a substitute, broke the deadlock. His strike saved the match from a penalty shoot-out and gave Spain its first World Cup title since 2010.
"It's a goal scored by 47 million people – it was not just mine," Torres said after the game. It was like fate.
After the final whistle, frustrations spilt over into a confrontation involving players from both teams before officials restored order.
Much of the pre-match attention was on Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Spain teenager Lamine Yamal. Neither had any decisive impact on the contest, while the substitutes Torres and Nico Williams provided Spain with more attacking urgency in extra time.
The final was the fifth of the last six World Cup finals to go to extra time, but it did not possess the attacking quality that often accompanies football's biggest occasion.
Argentina offered little going forward as Spain had possession
Spain had control of the ball for the entire match but struggled to break down Argentina's disciplined defensive shape.
Argentina focused on breaking up Spain’s attacking rhythm and fashioned few chances of their own. Argentina recorded no shots on goal, FIFA's official statistics showed, while Spain had 20, 12 of them on target.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was dismissed in stoppage time after a challenge on Pau Cubarsí, meaning the defending champions finished the game with 10 players.
Show Before Kickoff, Guarded Football After It
The pregame festivities included a lavish opening ceremony with musical performances, fireworks and celebrity appearances, which delayed kickoff by several minutes.
A colourful atmosphere was created by the Argentinian fans inside the stadium, but the intensity in the stands did not match the conservative football on the pitch.
Spain still looked to patient possession and intricate passing combinations but were without a clinical finisher in the penalty area until Torres' decisive intervention.
Spain makes history
The win capped another milestone for Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who added the World Cup to the UEFA Euro 2024 title he won under him.
De la Fuente, the coach of Spain, was the oldest coach to win the men’s FIFA World Cup at 65, and Spain’s unbeaten streak stretched to 38 matches across all competitions. “I’m very proud of this generation of players,” De la Fuente said. They've stuck to our philosophy and have made it better and better. “We’ve done it all together.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his players despite the loss and paid tribute to captain Lionel Messi.
“He is the best football player ever; I hope everyone is proud of what he’s achieved,” Scaloni said. “We’ve got to keep moving forward.
