Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure the country’s second world title.
Neither side managed to score during the regulation 90 minutes at New York/New Jersey Stadium, despite Spain dominating the match and creating a series of chances against an Argentina side that struggled to threaten their goal.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves, the most by a goalkeeper in a World Cup final, as Spain repeatedly failed to convert their opportunities.
Argentina were reduced to 10 men in the third minute of second-half stoppage time when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí.
Torres, who had replaced Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute, finally broke the deadlock from close range in the second period of extra time, scoring his first goal of the tournament and triggering celebrations among Spanish players and supporters.
“The goal belonged to 47 million people,” Torres said, adding that the victory belonged not only to him and the squad but to the entire country.
Spain’s dominance was such that Argentina did not register their first shot until the 117th minute, when an attempt from Lionel Messi was blocked.
The 39-year-old became the first man to start three World Cup finals and the oldest outfield player to start a final. He ended the tournament with eight goals, two behind France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
“I feel sad,” Messi said after receiving his runners-up medal. “They were better, to be honest.”
The final was widely viewed as a possible last World Cup appearance for Messi, although the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not yet confirmed his future plans.
The victory gave Spain their first World Cup title since 2010 and their second overall, while Argentina missed the chance to become world champions for a second consecutive time.