Staff Reporter
SPAIN completed a magnificent FIFA World Cup campaign by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a gripping final, with Ferran Torres’ decisive strike sealing La Roja’s second world title and capping an extraordinary tournament built on attacking football, defensive resilience and unwavering belief.
Six victories, one draw and just a single goal conceded told the story of a Spanish side that grew stronger with every match before lifting football’s most coveted trophy at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Spain’s campaign began with an unexpected stumble as tournament debutants Cabo Verde frustrated the 2010 champions in a goalless draw, thanks largely to an inspired goalkeeping display from Vozinha.
Any concerns quickly disappeared in their second group match as Luis de la Fuente’s side announced themselves as genuine contenders with a ruthless 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal opened his World Cup scoring account as Spain produced the free-flowing football that would become their trademark.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay secured top spot in Group H after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s costly mistake allowed Alex Baena to score the only goal of the contest.
Spain’s knockout campaign gathered momentum with a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria in the Round of 32. Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice, while Pedro Porro also found the net as La Roja celebrated their first World Cup knockout victory since their triumphant run to the title in 2010.
Their Round of 16 clash against Portugal proved far more dramatic. With Cristiano Ronaldo making what was expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Spain needed a stoppage-time winner from substitute Mikel Merino to settle the fiercely contested Iberian derby. Goalkeeper Unai Simón also played a crucial role, denying Ronaldo on several occasions to preserve another clean sheet.
The quarter-finals produced another tense encounter as Spain edged Belgium 2-1. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere ended Simón’s remarkable run of 650 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal. Once again, Merino emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring with only his second touch after coming off the bench to send his side into the last four.
Spain then produced arguably their finest performance of the tournament in a clinical 2-0 semi-final victory over France. Oyarzabal converted a penalty to give La Roja the lead before Porro sealed victory, while Simón and his defence neutralised the threat posed by Kylian Mbappé and the star-studded French attack.
That victory booked a blockbuster final against reigning champions Argentina, who arrived chasing consecutive World Cup titles behind captain Lionel Messi.
Lionel Scaloni made three changes to the side that defeated England in the semi-finals, recalling Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo De Paul and Nico González, while Messi partnered Julián Álvarez in attack.
De la Fuente resisted the temptation to alter his winning formula, naming the same side that had dismantled France. Rodri once again marshalled midfield, continuing a remarkable tournament in which he set a new World Cup record with 648 completed passes, surpassing the mark he established in Qatar four years earlier.
The atmosphere inside the New York New Jersey Stadium reflected the magnitude of the occasion. Argentina’s supporters vastly outnumbered their Spanish counterparts, filling the stands with sky blue and white shirts bearing Messi’s famous number 10, while both sets of fans created a spectacular pre-match atmosphere.
Spain dominated much of the final but found Martínez in inspired form as the Argentine goalkeeper repeatedly denied Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams and Torres.
Argentina’s hopes suffered a major setback when Enzo Fernández was sent off late in normal time, forcing the defending champions to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
The breakthrough finally arrived six minutes into the second period of extra time.
Porro delivered a cross into the penalty area, Williams brilliantly headed the ball back across goal, and Torres thundered his finish into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
Messi attempted to inspire one final comeback, but Spain’s defence stood firm to secure a famous victory.
The triumph was reflected in the tournament’s individual honours.
Rodri was named winner of the adidas Golden Ball as the competition’s best player after dominating midfield throughout Spain’s campaign. Simón collected the adidas Golden Glove after conceding only one goal in the entire tournament, while 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí received the FIFA Young Player Award following a series of composed performances at the heart of Spain’s defence. France forward Kylian Mbappé claimed the adidas Golden Boot, while Messi finished with the Silver Ball after another outstanding World Cup.
As captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy beneath a shower of confetti, Spain completed one of the country’s greatest footballing achievements, returning to the summit of world football 16 years after Andrés Iniesta’s unforgettable winner secured their first global crown.
“It was written in the stars,” Torres said after scoring the winning goal.
“The goal was for 47 million people; it wasn’t just mine or the 26 players here. We always believed in our football and today we’ve shown that once again.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain deserved their triumph.
“They were better, that’s the truth,” he said.
“We are sad, but proud of what these players achieved by reaching another World Cup final.”
A visibly emotional De la Fuente dedicated the triumph to his players.
“I feel especially proud of this generation of footballers,” he said.
“They are a family with exceptional talent. Together we have won everything, and they are a source of enormous pride for Spain.”
Source: FIFA
