The culmination of an idea and a steadfast identity brought Spain to victory, echoing the triumph of their 2010 World Cup squad. In the wake of the match, the new generation of Spanish players reveled in sheer joy.
Spain emerged as the dominant force in the World Cup final, highlighting Argentina’s lack of ambition, especially after Enzo Fernández received a red card near the end of regular time. It was astounding that the reigning champions struggled to generate even a single shot on goal.
Spain’s relentless pressure stifled Argentina throughout the match. Their formidable defense has been the foundation of their success in the tournament.
The primary concern was whether Spain could penetrate Argentina’s defensive setup. They remained faithful to their style, characterized by possession, passing, and cohesive movements. Their perseverance paid off when they finally found the breakthrough. In the 106th minute, a deep cross from Pedro Porro met a brilliant header from substitute Nico Williams, allowing Ferran Torres to unleash a powerful shot past Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martínez. With this victory, Spain added a second star to their shirt after just their second World Cup final.
There was no storybook ending for Lionel Messi and his team. Argentina, now down to ten players, attempted to respond to Torres’ goal but only managed a few moments of brilliance. Substitute Guiliano Simeone made a late attempt in stoppage time, but the match was far from the thrilling final that Argentina faced against France in 2022. However, it will be a memory cherished by Spanish fans forever.
The spectacle surrounding the match was grand in a country known for its extravagant displays. It commenced with a ceremony that officially concluded what some deemed the most extravagant tournament to date, showcasing a variety of performances. Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of the US national anthem and Tom Cruise’s address celebrating the beautiful game set the stage, albeit with a kickoff delay of six minutes. The halftime show added to the opulence, culminating in a coronation featuring six kilograms of solid gold.
Spain’s mastery of the ball was evident as they quickly took control of the match. They displayed an impressive ability to maintain possession, often appearing to have an additional second to make decisions. Quick passes, such as a return from Dani Olmo to Lamine Yamal in the early stages, highlighted their attacking intent. Although Yamal’s shot was thwarted by a combination of Lisandro and Emi Martínez, it underscored Spain’s offensive prowess.
During the first half, Argentina had a fleeting opportunity when Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simón attempted to clear a ball intended for Messi but instead gave it straight to Julián Álvarez. However, Álvarez’s poor first touch squandered the chance. The first half was largely dominated by Spain’s control of the ball.
Rodri set the match’s rhythm, while Lamine Yamal showcased his skill with impressive touches and turns. Spain consistently worked their patterns, aiming to tire Argentina and create overloads. Meanwhile, Argentina concentrated on maintaining their defensive shape, allowing little to penetrate. Their expected goals tally remained at 0.00 at halftime.
The halftime entertainment featured a bizarre moment as Madonna, one of the headline performers, did not appear on stage but instead was shown on a big screen, singing from the back of a car driven by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
In response to the situation, Lionel Scaloni made changes to Argentina’s midfield, bringing in Leandro Paredes for left-winger Nico González. This move aimed to bring his players closer to the action. Paredes quickly made his mark, barging Rodri off the ball and receiving a booking for his efforts.
Spain continued to apply high pressure and probe for weaknesses. Argentina struggled to escape Spain’s grip. Despite a few attempts, Spain overcomplicated their plays at times and needed clearer opportunities. After evading two defenders, Yamal delivered a cross, but Ferran Torres’ header was directed too close to Martínez. By the time of the second hydration break, Argentina had yet to register a shot on target.
Spain’s pressing seemed poised to yield results. Argentina’s attempts to defend were almost laughable; were they hoping to win the World Cup without a single shot on goal? Substitute Pedri had a moment but rushed his shot.
Pau Cubarsi managed to test Martínez, while another substitute, Williams, crossed to Aymeric Laporte, whose header was saved by Martínez. Williams came close again towards the end of regulation but was denied once more.
Fernández lost his composure, receiving a yellow card for dissent in the 83rd minute, and further compounded his troubles by fouling Cubarsi, sending the Spain defender sprawling. Argentina managed to reach extra time thanks to Martínez, who dived left to parry a free-kick from Yamal.
Martínez was outstanding, making several crucial saves that defined Argentina’s performance. At the beginning of extra time, he dove to his right to stop a header from Williams, which was a clear opportunity set up by Pedri.
Spain was also denied a legitimate goal when Mikel Merino, another substitute, was deemed to have fouled Nicolás Otamendi just before Williams found the net. This decision appeared generous toward Otamendi, who seemed to exaggerate the contact.
Scaloni adjusted his strategy by substituting Álvarez for Marcos Senesi and opting for a defensive 5-3-1 formation. Argentina continued to defend deeply, surviving another scare when Merino glanced a close chance wide from a cross by Williams.
In the 113th minute, Torres broke through again and managed to beat Martínez, only to be flagged offside. However, the goal he did score was ultimately the only one that mattered.
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