Logic prevails... Spain World Champions
Spain imposed its will and claimed the World Cup title for the second time in its history, after a deserved 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time, with US President Donald Trump in attendance at MetLife Stadium before a crowd of approximately 80,000 spectators.
The decisive goal came from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, following the red card shown to Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández in stoppage time of the second half, denying La Albiceleste the chance to add a fourth title to its record after victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022.
The statistics reflected Spain’s clear dominance: 20 shots, 12 of which were on target, compared to just two attempts by Argentina from outside the penalty area. Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed pride in his current generation of players, while Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, admitted that “Spain was the better team.”
The Spanish national team, whose goal net was shaken only once throughout the tournament, extended its unbeaten streak to 38 matches, a record for a European or South American national team.
As for 39-year-old Lionel Messi, he failed to add a second title to his illustrious career, finishing with eight goals in the current edition, which placed him behind Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who scored ten goals and was crowned top scorer for the second time in his career. Messi, who may have played his last World Cup, appeared tearful as he watched his dream of lifting the trophy slip away.
The final was preceded by major artistic performances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and the groups BTS and Coldplay, in an unprecedented scene in the history of World Cup finals. Leaders of the three host nations were also present: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, alongside Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was met with boos upon entering the pitch. With this victory, Spain rewrote history, confirming its superiority on the pitch and replicating the scenario of its first title win in 2010, when it defeated the Netherlands with an extra-time goal from Andrés Iniesta.
