Spain crowned world champions: Ferran Torres strikes in extra time to break Argentina hearts

Sixteen years after Andrés Iniesta's immortal night in Johannesburg, Spain are champions of the world again. Ferran Torres, a second-half substitute, arrived at the back post in the 106th minute to sweep home the only goal of a suffocating final against Argentina, sealing a 1-0 victory after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium.

It was a triumph of patience and total control. Spain finished the night with 20 attempts to Argentina's two, roughly 65 per cent of possession, and an expected-goals count of 1.94 to 0.20 — and still needed every ounce of composure to break down a defending champion that defended its crown to the very last breath.

How the final was won

From the first whistle, Luis de la Fuente's side pinned Argentina back. The holders did not manage a shot, a corner, or a single touch in Spain's penalty area before the interval, while Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams stretched the pitch from both flanks. Only Emiliano Martínez — colossal all evening on the way to a World Cup final record of 11 saves — kept the score level, denying Torres's header in the 66th minute and clawing away Yamal's late free kick in stoppage time.

The decisive twist came in the third minute of added time: Enzo Fernández, already booked, was shown a second yellow for a late challenge that sent Pau Cubarsí flying, and Argentina crossed into extra time with ten men. Even then Martínez resisted, producing a spectacular save from Williams's header, before the dam finally broke — Pedro Porro's delivery, Williams's knockdown at the far post, and Torres arriving to lash an eight-yard finish beyond the great Argentine goalkeeper.

Messi's last dance ends in tears

For Lionel Messi, almost certainly playing the final World Cup match of his storied career, there was no fairytale repeat of Lusail. Smothered by Spain's press and starved of the ball — Argentina managed just eight touches in the opposition box all night — the 39-year-old captain was left fighting back tears at the final whistle, as La Albiceleste's pursuit of the first back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1962 fell one game short.

Argentina had scored 19 goals in seven matches on the road to East Rutherford. On the night it mattered most, they could not muster a single shot on target.

History for La Roja

Spain's second world title caps a 38-match unbeaten run stretching back more than two years, and makes De la Fuente the oldest head coach ever to win the FIFA World Cup. It also gives Spain a unique double: the men's and women's world championships held simultaneously. Fittingly, the individual honours were painted red and gold — Rodri claimed the adidas Golden Ball, Unai Simón the Golden Glove behind a defence that conceded once all tournament, and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player.

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