Spain win the World Cup as Ferran Torres’s extra-time goal beats Argentina 1–0
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: Spain substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give his team a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Spain was absolutely dominant in terms of possession and shot attempts. Lionel Messi and Argentina found a way to hang on and force extra time — but barely.
In the opening moments of the second 15-minute period of extra time, Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Enzo Fernández was sent off in second-half stoppage time after receiving his second yellow card, meaning Argentina were forced to finish the match with only 10 players. Fernández was booked for a reckless challenge that sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air, and the card was shown immediately.
Another foul about two minutes after play resumed gave Lamine Yamal a chance to win it from about 22 yards out with a free kick. Yamal’s strike was curling towards the right post, and Martínez dived to push it away for his 10th save of the afternoon — the most ever in a World Cup final.
He leapt to his feet, punched the air and urged the crowd to get loud. Not long after that came the whistle, sending the game to extra time.
Spain had 15 shots in normal time; Argentina had none. Spain won nine corners; Argentina one. And somehow, more than 90 minutes of that sort of dominance wasn’t enough.
With the victory, Spain became the first nation to simultaneously hold the World Cup crowns in both men’s and women’s football.
It was the 104th and final match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event staged across the US, Canada and Mexico. Because there were more matches than at any previous tournament, it was no surprise there were more goals than in all other editions combined — 308.
The spectacle extended beyond football.
Celebrities from all walks of life were present. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Cillian Murphy, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Hamm, Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker were among the actors at the game.
The NBA had enough talent in attendance for a full All-Star Game, with Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bronny James, Cade Cunningham, Cooper Flagg, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Draymond Green, Jalen Brunson, Jalen Williams, James Harden, Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant and Tyrese Haliburton all there.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were among the tennis royalty watching. The NFL had names such as Eli Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley in attendance. Two of the greatest US skiers ever, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, were at the match — and, of course, there were football greats including Kaká, David Beckham, Didier Drogba and Zinedine Zidane.
Post Malone headlined the closing ceremony, which began about 90 minutes before the final was due to start and just a few minutes after Messi and the Argentina team arrived at the stadium. The half-time show — a first for FIFA and part of a 27-minute break — featured Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS, along with Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets.
US President Donald Trump was also present, with plans for him to be part of the trophy presentation at the conclusion of the match.
‘I won’t pick sides,’ Trump told Fox Sports in an interview released on Sunday afternoon before the final. ‘I just think it’s very hard to bet against Messi. He’s great.’
(With inputs from RSS/AP)
