When the final whistle blew, Spain celebrated with the trophy, while Messi departed in tears.
Spain has reclaimed its position at the pinnacle of soccer, securing the title for the second time after Ferran Torres’ remarkable first goal of this year’s World Cup led to a 1-0 victory against the dethroned champions, Argentina, in the final on Sunday.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres stated, highlighting Spain’s population.
Not just by them, but certainly for them.
This pivotal moment occurred when Argentina was reduced to 10 players after Enzo Fernandez received a red card late in regular time for a reckless tackle. The atmosphere grew tense, especially after the final whistle when Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni and players from both teams engaged in a brief skirmish.
Ultimately, Spain thwarted Messi’s chance at a consecutive title during what he suggested might be his last World Cup match. Torres, coming off the bench, seized a bouncing ball inside the box and expertly blasted it just beneath the crossbar in the 106th minute.
Following that, Spain’s airtight defense, which had been formidable throughout the tournament, held firm one last time. The team, which also won in 2010, conceded only one goal over eight matches in this World Cup campaign, setting a record for the fewest goals allowed by a champion.
“I feel immense pride, honestly,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, now the oldest coach to lead a team to a World Cup title at 65. “Guiding this team on their journey has been an incredible honor.”
Spain achieves a World Cup milestone
Although the score suggests a close match, one team clearly dominated.
Spain fired the first 20 shots on goal before Argentina, striving for an equalizer, finally got its first attempt during the second half of extra time. The Spanish squad took nine of the initial ten corner kicks, and only a record-setting 12 saves by Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez offered the 2022 champions a glimmer of a chance to repeat.
“Dibu was exceptional,” de la Fuente remarked, using Argentina’s keeper’s nickname.
Spain remains unbeaten in its last 38 matches — with 29 wins and nine draws — and holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak by any European men’s team. Italy previously held a 37-match streak (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 to September 2021 before Spain ended that run.
For the past two years or more, Spain has not faced defeat. Not even from Messi. An Argentina side renowned for its late-match comebacks in this tournament had no solutions this time.
“We lost, and we accept that,” Scaloni acknowledged. “But that doesn’t diminish all we’ve accomplished. I want to express my gratitude to my players, to the supporters, and to our nation. We gave it our all.”
Spain endures a late surge
With about four minutes remaining, Messi took a corner kick that fortuitously deflected to substitute Giuliano Simeone, who sent it soaring over the crossbar in disbelief.
“Facing Messi makes anyone nervous,” Torres admitted. “Ultimately, we rely on ourselves. We returned to our style of play and demonstrated it once more.”
After the match, some players exchanged compliments with the former champions. Spain’s players formed an honor guard as Argentina’s squad walked toward the stage to receive their runner-up medals from President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Right now, I feel like I’m on cloud nine,” said Spain midfielder Rodri, who was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Argentina finished the match a player short after Fernandez received a second yellow card for a foul that sent Spain’s defender Pau Cubarsi tumbling. The card was shown immediately.
Defense empowers Spain to victory
This match marked the final game of the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With more matches than in any prior World Cup, it naturally resulted in a record number of goals — over 300, averaging nearly three per match.
Except, of course, when Spain was involved. Their strategy was straightforward: maintain possession and minimize the opponent’s chances.
It worked flawlessly until the end.
As Messi approaches 39, indications point to the likelihood that he’s nearing the end of his international career. He hinted at this, such as noting a home World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela last year might be his final competitive appearance on Argentine soil.
“I’ve experienced many moments on this pitch, both good and bad,” said Messi that night. “I’ll cherish the good times.”
After losing a Copa America final to Chile — in the same stadium as Sunday’s match — he momentarily retired from the national team but returned shortly thereafter.
Good thing he did, as that decade saw him evolve from star to living legend.
He secured the World Cup title in 2022, along with two Copa America titles, the first in 2021 and the second in 2024. He earned Argentina’s player of the year award 16 times over 19 years, beginning as a teenager and continuing through his late 30s.
He’s a legend in the sport and around the world. However, Spain was superior that day.
“I spoke to my players, and they remarked: ‘Coach, we’ve accomplished everything we set out to achieve,'” de la Fuente shared. “And that’s truly beautiful.”
A final like no other
The event went beyond just soccer.
Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira performed during halftime, alongside Burna Boy, Jason Sudeikis portraying “Ted Lasso,” and even some Muppets. The closing ceremony, which occurred before the match, included Jennifer Hudson, Post Malone, and Tom Cruise.
Numerous actors, athletes, and celebrities attended: Spain’s Javier Bardem left elated, while Luciana Barroso Damon — wife of actor Matt Damon — likely did not, as she sported Argentine colors.
They all came for the spectacle. An audience of 80,000 was present, alongside possibly two billion viewers worldwide.
Spain delivered. No team has secured back-to-back men’s World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and Spain denied Argentina the chance to repeat.
“As I told the players before the match, we needed to face them directly, look them in the eye, and declare our intention to win,” Rodri said. “And then life may grant you the World Cup, or not.”
Spain took it instead.
