Spain are World Champions for the second time!
The "Furia Roja" win after extra time against ten Argentinians who offered little offensively. Lionel Messi misses out on his second World Cup title.
Spain are World Champions for the second time, after 2010!
In the final in East Rutherford, the reigning European champions defeat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time.
The winning goal is scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute against ten opponents, after the "Albiceleste" had Enzo Fernandez sent off with a second yellow card in injury time (90.+3).
Lionel Messi and co. become the first team in a World Cup final ever to fail to register a single shot in the 90 regulation minutes.
First Half Lacking Clear-Cut Opportunities
Spain create the first minor chance: Yamal finds some space on the right, but his shot from a tight angle is easily gathered by Martinez (5').
Until the hydration break, Spain enjoy a slight territorial advantage without creating any real danger. Only then does Unai Simon have to be quicker to the ball than Alvarez (28').
However, there are no compelling opportunities for either side before the unusually long half-time break. The early substitution of Lisandro Martinez (44') is a blow for Argentina.
Extra Time with Ten Men
The first truly good chance comes from a Ferran Torres header inside the six-yard box: Lamine Yamal keeps the ball in play and crosses, but his Barca teammate is leaning back and can't get enough power behind it (66').
In the final fifteen minutes, Spain increase the tempo. Rodri tests Martinez, who saves with some uncertainty (76'). He's also there to deny another Torres header (81').
In injury time, the Argentinians are punished for their consistently rough play: Enzo Fernandez is late in a challenge against Pau Cubarsi and receives his second yellow card - the first was for dissent (90.+3).
When Paredes commits a foul on Torres, creating a good free-kick opportunity, a second yellow card would arguably have been warranted immediately (90.+6), but referee Slavko Vincic shows leniency. Yamal forces Martinez into a final save before extra time.
Torres Puts Everything Into the Shot
In the 96th minute, the ball finds the net for the first time: Williams scores, but Merino had previously committed a foul that was difficult to spot. VAR confirms the disallowance.
Only after another change of ends does the deadlock truly break: Williams lays a slightly overhit pass back to Torres, who is unmarked and smashes the ball powerfully under the crossbar (106').
The substitute nearly decides the match prematurely, but is marginally offside when receiving the pass for his successful solo run towards goal (113').
In the dying minutes, Argentina finally spring to life: Merino makes a crucial save against Simeone (120'), and after the ensuing corner, the son of coaching legend Diego Simeone blasts the ball over the bar from an excellent position (120.+1).
