Spain win second World Cup after beating Argentina in final

Patience proved the critical virtue for Spain. They had to wait for a kickoff delayed by — among other things — a Tom Cruise speech. They had to wait twice as long as usual at half time. And they had to wait for 106 minutes of play and their 20th shot before Ferran Torres lashed home the goal that would win them a second men’s World Cup.

For much of Sunday’s final, that moment had felt purely a matter of time, as the European champions thoroughly outclassed their South American counterparts.

Just as they did in their impressive semifinal display against France, Spain dominated the ball early and their teenage superstar, Lamine Yamal, came close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute. Seconds later, at the other end of the pitch and the age scale, Lionel Messi was beaten to a through ball by Spanish keeper Unai Simon. It was as close as Messi, 39, got to a significant impact on the game, which may well be his last at a World Cup.

As the first half wore on in the New York New Jersey stadium, Spain dominated the ball but Argentina held firm, with a smart Emi Martinez save from Spanish striker, Mikel Oyarzabal, as close as either side came before the elongated interval.

Half-time show keeps players waiting

For the first time in World Cup history, a Superbowl style half time show was on the cards. Performers including Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS took to the pitch with the break extended — contrary to both football convention and FIFA laws — to almost double the standard 15 minutes.

It wasn’t enough to change the pattern of the game. Spain continued to pass, Argentina continued to scrap, hassle and rely on Martinez to keep Spanish shots at bay.

A red card for midfielder Enzo Fernandez in injury time made Argentina’s task even tougher as the final headed into extra time, as it now has in five of the last six finals. Argentina tired but somehow clung on, with Spain repeatedly wasteful.

Spain keep composure

Surely the South Americans, who had failed to take a single shot in the entire game, couldn’t somehow win this?

But Spain have already proved they won’t panic, with late winners in two of their knockout matches. Indeed, the final bore some resemblance to their tournament opener —  a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. After that, Spain slipped somewhat under the radar for a time, with a lack of cutting edge thought to count them out.

But as the tournament  progressed, Luis de la Fuente’s team have delivered a masterclass in control while sharpening their attacking weapons to win a first World Cup since 2010. Spain’s women are also reigning world champions, winning the tournament in 2023.

World Cup overshadowed by Iran war, Balogun controversy

The final ended a tournament that has offered much from a sporting perspective: the heroics of Cape Verde, the race between Messi and Kylian Mbappe for the tournament — and overall World Cup — top scorer and shocks such as Germany’s exit to Paraguay and Norway toppling Brazil.

But politics has also proved impossible to ignore.

The barring of Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the US added to the sense this was not a World Cup for the whole world. Iran’s treatment, being forced to fly in and out of games and given less preparation time as a result, was a reminder of the conflict between the US and Iran. 

Donald Trump’s intervention in the suspension of a red card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun also  amplified already loud questions about FIFA corruption.

But, ultimately, the tournament was decided in the same way it always has been. And, on Sunday in New Jersey it was settled, once again, in favor of Spain.   

Edited by: Wesley Dockery