Ferran Torres’ 106th minute strike crowned Spain as world hampions after a bruising World Cup final against Argentina in New Jersey.
Argentina was resolute in regulation time and in the first half of extra time, but Spain’s 20th shot on goal and their 12th on target finally broke the reigning champions’ defence.
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Lionel Messi’s men remarkably did not register a single shot until a few late balls into the box in a last-ditch attempt for another miraculous escape act.
Their plan had been to hold on for a penalty shootout after being reduced to ten men when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.
Spain finally made the most of their numerical advantage and possession dominance as the European champions caught the Argentine’s napping immediately after the changes of end in extra time.
MORE FROM THE FINAL
MBAPPE VS MESSI: Messi dealt one final blow as Golden Boot farce exposed
‘WHAT THE F*** IS GOING ON?’: World Cup half-time show baffles as icons make bizarre appearance
‘DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR’: Punches thrown, throat grabbed in ‘sore loser’ WC final madness
Seven Nation World Cup half time show | 01:31
Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal laid the ball off to Pedro Porro on the right wing, the Tottenham fullback sent a cross into Nico Williams at the back post, who did superbly to keep the ball alive with a header as the ball sailed for a goal kick.
Torres was waiting just outside the six-yard box and smashed the goal that gave Spain their second ever World Cup title into the roof of the net.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had almost single-handedly kept his nation in the contest but there was nothing he could do as Torres made the most of a near empty net.
“I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people, not just those of us that are here. Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We’re far from our people today but we tried to be as close as possible to them,” Torres said.
“Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team you do get worried but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again.
“A huge relief [to score]. I’ve been criticised throughout the whole tournament but as as I said before destiny was written. Thanks to God, he always gives me the strength to continue and in the end he grants things to those that most deserve them.”
There was no coming back for Argentina from there as manager Lionel Scaloni whipped off his attackers and left Messi as his sole attacker as they tried to cling on.
It was the Barcelona forward’s 25th international goal and his first of this World Cup with no better time to break his duck.
Torres thought he had a second not long after but his run out the back of the Argentine defence was ruled out for offside.
In the first half of extra time, Spain thought they had the opener, but Williams’ goal was ruled out.
Mikel Merino stepped on the boot of veteran centre back Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up despite confusion about why the Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic had blown his whistle.
Moments later Merino fluffed his lines again as the Arsenal star missed a free header that gave Spain their best chance of the final to that point.
Vincic was also in the thick of the action for most of the afternoon.
Fernandez received a booking earlier in the second half for complaining to the referee after battling with Rodri for the ball in the middle of the park.
The midfielder, who scored the equaliser in Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final victory against England, was then shown a red card for a late challenge that sent Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi airborne.
Argentina finally paid the price for flirting with danger with Fernandez’s reckless challenge coming after several others had escaped a booking.
Yamal’s legs would be battered bruised as his opponents seemingly tried to take them out whenever the 19-year-old, who became the first teenager to win the Euros and the World Cup, was on the ball.
The lack of cards being shown fuelled conspiracy theories of Argentina being favoured by the referee, but their overzealous approach backfired.
The heat in the game even led to their being push and shove between the two teams after the final whistle, while Scaloni was booked as outrage erupted on the sidelines after Marc Cucurella crashed into the back of Giuliano Simeone.
Regardless, chaos erupted as players from both teams surrounded the referee after the Fernandez send off.
Messi then tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off for saying something with a covered mouth as the two sides confronted one another near Cubarsi, who was laying on the ground.
Nothing came of Messi’s protests, however, but the contest came to life in the dying minutes of regular time.
Argentine hearts were in mouths when Yamal’s free kick was well-saved by a diving Martinez before Argentina’s defenders cleared the resulting corner to send the match to extra-time.
The South Americans’ hearts were ultimately broken almost half an hour later.
Simeone had the best chance to nab a late equaliser, but it sailed over the bar.
It meant that Lionel Messi was beaten in what is surely the 39-year-old’s last World Cup appearance.
A decade ago, Messi briefly retired from international football after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile at the same venue.
New Jersey has once again been the scene of disappointment for the legend as the 64-year streak of the reigning champions failing to go back-to-back continues.
“They were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of them (his side), of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” Scaloni said.
“We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.”
While Spain added to their 2010 triumph by putting a second star on their shirt, having conceded just one goal for the entire tournament.
“I feel especially proud of this generation of footballers who have grown with this idea… giving us an example of a group, of a family,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
“They are players with exceptional talent. For me, it has been an honour to have accompanied them on this journey. ”
De la Fuente, who also led his nation to the Euro 2024 crown, added: “I’m very emotional, looking back. We have won everything, and that is wonderful.
“They are a generation of footballers who are a source of pride for Spain. Together, we are stronger.”
The 65-year-old coach also heaped praise on Martinez, whose 11 saves for the game was more than his Spanish counterpart Unai Simon made for the entire tournament.
“I think the game should have been decided earlier. Dibu’s great saves prevented us from winning sooner, but it is a World Cup final and, even with ten players at the end, you have to suffer,” he said.