Argentina and its global superstar, Lionel Messi, were gunning for a second straight FIFA World Cup championship at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, but Spain had other ideas.
In an extremely close match that was totally dominated statistically by the Spaniards, the game-winning goal was registered by striker Ferran Torres, a reserve, in the 106th minute of extra time with an assist from substitute forward Nico Williams as 80,663 spectators watched.
Fourteen minutes remained for Argentina to muster any type of offense but ultimately couldn’t as Spain prevailed 1-0.
Luis De La fuente is Spain’s manager, and since March 2024, his team has now won an all-time men’s record 38 straight international football matches without a loss in regulation time.
Torres’ tally broke the hearts of millions of Messi and Argentina fans around the world.
“I feel sad,” said the 39-year-old Messi, who registered eight goals with four assists in this World Cup, but who didn’t have his best outing against Spain. “But they were better, to be honest.”
Still, Messi’s career totals in World Cup action are incredible as the forward has tallied 21 total goals, which is second overall in a record 34 World Cup matches and has an all-time best 12 assists.
Argentina, which was ranked No. 1 by FIFA before the 48-team tournament began, beat France on penalty kicks in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
For sure, it appeared that it would require penalty kicks once again to resolve this scoreless tie.
Spain, which was ranked No. 2 by FIFA before the tourney, claimed its second World Cup and also won the UEFA Nations League championship in 2023.
The final numbers were overwhelmingly in favor of Spain. Here are some: Spain possessed the ball 65 percent of the time while Argentina had it 35 percent.
Total shots saw Spain with 20, while Argentina had 2, both in extra time, and shots on target saw Spain with 12 and Argentina with 0. Regarding corner kicks, Spain had nine compared to Argentina’s four.
Coming into the final match, Spain had outscored its opponents 13-1, while Argentina had scored 19 goals and conceded 7.
Incredibly, Argentina had scored 12 goals in the 75th minute or later, but the magic would not continue against Spain.
There are a few important elements to Spain’s game that make this team nearly unbeatable.
They don’t surrender the ball to the opponent, and if an opponent does have the ball, it’s not going to string together many passes. Lastly, the Spaniards hold onto the ball for long periods.
Argentine goalie Emiliano Martinez had a splendid afternoon, albeit in a losing effort, finishing with a record-breaking 11 saves in the World Cup Final.
Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon set a World Cup record with 7 shutouts and was named the Adidas Golden Glove. It should be noted that Spain’s overall defense is extraordinary.
Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, also known as Rodri to his teammates and fans, ruptured his knee ligaments less than two years ago.
The 30-year-old midfielder was voted the winner of the Golden Ball, which is given to the best player of the tournament.
“It feels like the perfect script. I certainly didn’t expect this,” Cascante said. “I’d love for the younger generations to see that a player who touches the heavens, then descends into hell, can come back. It’s a lesson in overcoming adversity.”
De La fuente is 65 years old, is the oldest manager to win a World Cup and was asked what he thinks of his superstar.
“Rodrigo is the best player in the world at his position, and he deserves all the good things that happened to him because he has also worked a lot,” he stated. “He dedicated a lot of effort, sacrifice and suffering.”
Argentina played with 10 men beginning in the 93rd minute when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was handed a red card.
Lionel Scaloni is Argentina’s manager and was realistic after the setback.
“I feel sadness knowing we have left everything on the field,” he said. “We competed until the very end. I’ll have a great memory for what we have done. Spain was better.”
This final match was made possible when Argentina prevailed 2-1 over No. 4-ranked England on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium.
The scoring began when England’s forward Anthony Gordon drilled home a winner in the 55th minute with an assist from forward Morgan Rogers.
Argentina knotted the score at 1-1 on a goal from Fernandez and an assist from Messi in the 85th minute.
The match-winning tally came from striker Lautaro Martinez with an assist from Messi in the 92nd minute.
In the other semifinal clash at Dallas Stadium on July 14, Spain shut out No. 3-ranked France 2-0.
Spain’s forward Mikel Oyarzabal found the back of the net in the 22nd minute on a penalty kick for a 1-0 lead.
In the 58th minute, defender Pedro Porro scored a goal with an assist from midfielder Dani Olmo for a 2-0 advantage.
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