Spain outlasts Argentina to complete a star-studded World Cup final

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At the start of this World Cup, Spain was one of the biggest favorites to win it all. And in the end, it was the team that deservedly won the title.

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Spain’s second-half substitute Ferran Torres’ scored in the 106th-minute goal to fuel a 1-0 victory over Argentina. La Roja dethroned the reigning champions with a 20-2 advantage in shots over Lionel Messi’s side.

It was Spain’s second men’s World Cup title in a brilliant era from 2008 to now, which also includes three European championships and a UEFA Nations League title. The country is also the first to hold the men’s and women’s World Cup crowns at the same time, thanks to the women’s team’s triumph in 2023.

A sellout crowd of 80,663 was on hand in the Meadowlands — though with quite a few empty seats in the lower deck — and heaven knows what they paid to be there. Projections of $14 billion in revenue from this summer rose to $15 billion, the Guardian reported, with fans paying a lot of the bill.

FIFA was no doubt also happy with the 11-page list of “VVIPs and Celebrities,” spanning Spain’s reigning King Felipe VI and its prime minister, Pedro Sánchez. Argentina’s president Javier Milei didn’t attend out of superstition, putting his fandom ahead of his friendship with President Donald Trump, who emerged to a chorus of boos during the trophy presentation.

Madonna, Anna Wintour, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Mick Jagger alongiside halftime show performers, Shakira and Justin Bieber were also some of the names in attendance.

From the sports world? How about soccer legends Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane (who will soon be France’s manager), and Roberto Baggio; current U.S. women’s stars Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson; the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes; a pile of basketball players led by Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson, and Union part-owner Kevin Durant; Olympians Ilia Malinin and Mikaela Shiffrin; and tennis’ Carlos Alcaraz.

They might even have watched the game, and if they did, they got to see other stars. Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández started for Argentina against Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Rodri, the last of whom captured FIFA’s Golden Ball, given to the player of the tournament.

But while it was a superbly sunny, surprisingly breezy, and thankfully wildfire-smoke-free afternoon, there wasn’t much action to enjoy early on. Instead, there was the first scoreless half of a men’s World Cup final since 2014. Spain outshot Argentina 3-0, with Yamal forcing a save in the fifth minute and Marc Cucurella firing narrowly wide from 18 yards in the 43rd.

Perhaps that shouldn’t have been too surprising. Soccer finals are usually cagey, and on top of that Spain likes to win games by controlling them. Argentina, meanwhile, is often content to take its time and strike late. Messi’s renowned playing style exemplifies that: he often spends the first stretch of any game just walking, so he can watch how the opposing defense moves and find gaps in it.

The other end of the field was a different story. Along with Spain having the better of the play in the first half, Argentina centerback Lisandro Martínez had to leave the game injured in the 44th after picking up the first of his team’s eight yellow cards not long before. Nicolás Otamendi replaced him, and Spain might not have minded seeing the 38-year-old come in.

After the first halftime show concert in World Cup final history (which enough of the supposed American target audience didn’t like), Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni made another swap: Leandro Paredes for Nicolás González at left wing in their 4-4-2 setup.

In the 58th, Scaloni made it three subs before his players had taken a shot by withdrawing right back and 2022 World Cup final hero Gonzalo Montiel for Nahuel Molina. Spain was starting to assert control by then, and four minutes later manager Luis de la Fuente uppe the ante with a double-sub: Ferran Torres for Mikel Oyarzabal at striker and great playmaker Pedri for Fabián Ruiz in midfield.

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Spain’s big cluster of red-clad fans behind one goal could sense the momentum, even more when Yamal split two defenders and crossed for Torres to head right at Emiliano Martínez.

Scaloni tried to bolster his side by sending defender Facundo Medina and midfielder Giuliano Simeone on for Cristian Romero and Rodrigo de Paul in the 70th. Those were his last subs in regulation, and Argentina still hadn’t recorded a shot. Meanwhile, a lot of firepower watched from the bench: midfielders Giovani Lo Celso, Nico Paz and Thiago Almada (formerly of Atlanta United), and especially striker Lautaro Martínez.

De la Fuente, meanwhile, countered in the 75th with two more attacking moves. Nico Williams replaced Álex Baena at left wing, and Mikel Merino replaced Olmo in attacking midfield.

It took until the 92nd minute for Argentina to finally register an attempt, and it wasn’t even officially scored a shot. But Messi was on the ball for enough of the buildup that the stadium held its breath.

With everyone just about ready for extra time, the plot took a big twist. Fernández sent Pau Cubarsí flying into the air from a collision, and referee Slavko Vinčić quickly gave Fernández his second yellow card of the day. A red followed right afterward.

But there were still no goals when regulation ended, making this the fifth men’s World Cup final of the last eight to require bonus sessions. The only one to reach penalty kicks with no goals was the last one in this country, 1994 at the Rose Bowl.

Williams finally put the ball in the net in the 96th, which Spain fully deserved for its 15-0 lead in shots through 90 minutes. But the goal was ruled out for a foul in the buildup, and that was the right call.

Extra time grants each side an extra sub. Scaloni chose to use his not just to send in another defender, but to take off a striker: Álvarez for Marcos Senesi.

The goal finally came in the 106th, and it was perfectly executed. Right back Pedro Porro hit a cross over the crowded 18-yard box, Williams headed it down, and Torres slammed the loose ball in with all his might.

Everyone knew Spain deserved it, but Argentina wasn’t dead yet. In stoppage time of the extra time, officially the 122nd minute, Cubarsí had to scramble to clear a chance Messi and Simeone created. From the ensuing corner kick, Simeone shot over the bar.

The clock read 125:01 when the final whistle blew. Most importantly, the scoreboard read: 1-0 with Spain as the winner.