Banner Online News

By Andrew Greif

Spain claimed its second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday after Ferran Torres scored a dramatic extra-time winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Torres struck in the 106th minute, firing home with power after Nico Williams headed the ball into his path to finally break the resistance of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, whose outstanding performance had kept the match scoreless despite relentless Spanish pressure.

Spain dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, registering 12 shots on target, while Argentina failed to produce a single shot on goal throughout regulation time. Martínez made a World Cup final-record 11 saves before eventually being beaten by Torres’ decisive strike.

“Honestly I did not think too much,” Torres said after the match. “I just saw the ball coming to me and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”

The victory ended Argentina’s reign as world champions and denied Lionel Scaloni’s side the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

Members of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad were among the spectators celebrating in the stands as La Roja lifted the trophy for the second time.

Torres appeared to have doubled Spain’s advantage later in extra time after racing clear on a counterattack and beating Martínez again, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a video review ruled that the forward’s shoulder had strayed beyond the last defender.

The disallowed goal ensured a nervy finish, with Argentina finally threatening in the closing moments as they managed two late attempts in search of an equaliser.

Argentina’s task had become even more difficult after midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off midway through the second half of extra time for a second bookable offence following a challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí.

Reduced to 10 men for the final 30 minutes, Argentina struggled to contain Spain’s dominance. Captain Lionel Messi, who had 54 touches during the match, managed only one shot as his side failed to find an attacking rhythm.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged Spain’s superiority while lamenting the circumstances that affected his team’s performance.

“We need to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” Scaloni said after the match. “I would have loved to know what would have happened if we still had 11 men on the pitch. There were many obstacles tonight. The opponent played very well, of course. The substitutions we had to make were because of injuries, not because of tactical fine-tuning.”

Reflecting on the defeat, Scaloni praised his players’ commitment.

“I already cried my heart out in the locker room. That’s why I’m not crying now, but I do have to be thankful to this group, because they were warriors, and that is the truth. We competed against an amazing team.”

Spain’s triumph crowned an impressive tournament campaign and marked the country’s return to the summit of world football, ending a 16-year wait since lifting its first World Cup trophy in South Africa in 2010.