Fifa World Cup final: Spain break down Argentina in extra time to win in New Jersey
Spain are on top of the footballing world once more.
It took 106 minutes to break down Argentina in the Fifa World Cup final in New Jersey on Monday morning, but a Ferran Torres strike was the difference in a 1-0 extra-time win.
Claiming their first men’s World Cup since their 2010 triumph in South Africa, Spain is the first nation to hold both men’s and women’s titles simultaneously, after the women’s team’s 2023 triumph.
It was a clash of approaches in the match as Spain, who had conceded just one goal at the tournament coming into the final, went in search of goals from the outset.
And after so much was made of England shutting up shop and trying to defend a lead against Argentina in the semi-final, Argentina might be left to question their defence-heavy approach to the contest.
While Spain tested goalkeeper Emi Martinez constantly through the 90-plus minutes of normal time, Argentina failed to register a single shot attempt before the extra time period.
That saw Lionel Messi with nary a role to play as his side fought to keep Spain at bay.
A red card to midfielder Enzo Fernandez – a second yellow card after a poor challenge – late in the second half made the mountain that much steeper for the defending champions.
Ultimately, it took until the second half of extra time for Spain to break through, with Torres – a 61st-minute substitute – scoring what proved to be the World Cup-winning strike.
As they did against England, Argentina were sparked to life by the goal, launching several promising attacks of their own and having chances to equalise, but only managed to get three shots away but none on target.
Rodri calls this World Cup the 'toughest' ever
Samuel Sherry
Speaking to Spanish media, Spain captain Rodri praised his side for winning what he believed was the most difficult World Cup.
"We managed to win the 48-team World Cup – the toughest in history," he said in Spanish.
Called it
Cameron McMillan
And that's it. The World Cup is over. Time to look back on who at the NZME headquarters predicted Spain to win. Really they are the true winners.
King of Spain celebrates with the team
Samuel Sherry
It's now the King of Spain's turn to celebrate with the team as he hoists the World Cup trophy high in the United States.
Ugly scenes from Argentina
Samuel Sherry
Despite the celebrations from Spain, more footage has emerged of Leandro Paredes' post-match scrap.
SPAIN ARE WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!
Samuel Sherry
Spain have lifted the men's World Cup trophy for the second time.
Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino made a quick cameo as they did.
Spain celebrate
Cameron McMillan
Trump and Infantino hand the trophy to Rodri. Eventually Trump gets off the stage.
Spain get their medals
Cameron McMillan
And now we await the trophy lift.
Trump and Infantino on the pitch to hand out the medals
Samuel Sherry
Runner-up medals
Cameron McMillan
Lionel Messi leads Argentina to collect their silver medals.
Cameron McMillan
Spain's skipper Rodrigo named Player of the Tournament.
Awards
Cameron McMillan
Pau Cubarsi named Young Player of the Tournament. He's only 19.
Unai Simon named Golden Glove – Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Didn't have much to do today.
King of Spain celebrates
Samuel Sherry
King Felipe VI of Spain has been spotted celebrating his country's win.
He was sat near Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino throughout the match, both of whom are now on the field for the presentations.
Presentation time
Cameron McMillan
After a very lengthy break, it's time to hand out the trophy. Infantino and Trump are on the field.
De la Fuente calls his team an example for Spain's youth
Samuel Sherry
Spain's World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente spoke to Spanish media after the fulltime whistle about the example his team set.
"They are an example for Spanish youth. Together, we are stronger," he said in Spanish.
"We should have won the match earlier, but we like to suffer, and we’ve shown that we’re ready for anything."
Ferran Torres: 'God gives things to those who deserve them most'
Samuel Sherry
Speaking to Spanish media after the match, goalscorer Ferran Torres brought up some of the criticism he had received throughout the tournament.
"I’ve been heavily criticised during this World Cup," he said in Spanish.
"But God gives things to those who deserve them most."
Rodri adds another title
Samuel Sherry
Spain captain Rodri has another title to add to his trophy cabinet after an already illustrious career.
He already has a European Championship with Spain, a Champions League and multiple Premier League wins with Manchester City, plus a Ballon d'Or to his name.
At 30 years old, he still has plenty of time to add a few more trophies beyond this World Cup.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
A bit of post-match biffo. Gavi of Spain and Argentina's Leandro Paredes getting amongst it.
Spain conceded just one goal all tournament
Cameron McMillan
Amazing tournament for the European champions. Belgium was the only team to score against them.
Spain 1 Argentina 0
Cameron McMillan
Messi is denied another World Cup title. Argentina were negative throughout the final. Just two shots which is so odd when you have Lionel Messi. They seemed happy to play for penalties and it backfired.
Spain are well deserved winners. A second World Cup title. Teenagers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal are World Cup winners.
SPAIN WIN THE WORLD CUP
Cameron McMillan
Yamal winning streak
Samuel Sherry
Lamine Yamal has never lost in a major competition with Spain when he has been in the starting XI.
Not long now to see if that streak continues.
Argentina freekick
Cameron McMillan
Just on their own side of halfway. Everyone up. Martinez sends in.
120th minute + 4: Last minute
Cameron McMillan
Another Argentina freekick. Inside their own half. Messi sends forward into the box but Simon saves.
120th minute + 3: Is there time?
Cameron McMillan
Argentina now deep inside own half. Martinez sends the ball up. Argentina want a freekick. Nope but they have a throw-in.
But just as Argentina are building, they give away a foul on edge of Spain's box. Chance for Spain to hold possession.
120th minute + 2: Oh so close
Cameron McMillan
Giuliano Simeone with a shot in the box but he puts it over. That coould have been the leveller?
Argentina corner
Cameron McMillan
Messi's ball lands right in front of goal. It bounces a few times before Spain put out for another corner. High drama now.
Five added minutes
Cameron McMillan
Messi runs free down the right and finds Giuliano Simeone. His ball into the area is blocked for a corner.
120th minute - Argentina freekick
Cameron McMillan
Poor ball by Messi turns it over. But Argentina win a freekick from 45m out and can get it into the box.
Cameron McMillan
Play continues. Time is running out for Argentina.
117th minute - Messie denied from outside the box
Cameron McMillan
Messi with a strike from outside the box. Merino saves with his face. And he goes down for a head injury.
116th minute - Messi shot/cross just too much
Cameron McMillan
Messi attempts a cross to the far post but too much on it and Simon leaves for a goal kick.
Six minutes to go
Cameron McMillan
Argentina with a freekick just in front of halfway but Spain clear the ball in. Messi free on the right and gets a cross in and Spain send it out for a corner.
Ferran Torres denied a second
Cameron McMillan
Ferran Torres looks to score a second but the flag is up. Replays show he was possibly on. But no VAR and they play on.
Mac Allister yellow
Cameron McMillan
Spain win a freekick. Mac Allister goes in the book.
110th minute - All on Argentina now
Cameron McMillan
Argentina played their best when down a goal against England. They need the same now. Spain now forced to defend.
Cameron McMillan
It was the 116th minute that Andrés Iniesta scored the winner in the 2010 final. Put that one down as the 106th minute.
SPAIN SCORE
Cameron McMillan
Ferran Torres breaks the drought. Argentina will need a shot on goal now! Long ball in for Nico Williams who headers back towards the middle of the goal and Torres strikes. Martinez had no chance to save that.
Cameron McMillan
Spain 19 attempts on goal, Argentina none.
Second half of extra-time
Cameron McMillan
Argentina kick it off and the final 15 minutes of the World Cup begins.
Halftime of extra-time
Cameron McMillan
Still no goals. 15 more minutes in this final. The best chance of the game for Merino with that free header.
Argentina push into attacking third
Cameron McMillan
Pedri claims a foul on edge of the box but turned down. Now here come Argentina. Messi plays a ball wide left and Argentina win a throw in.
Three minutes of added time
Cameron McMillan
104th minute - Mikel Merino headers wide
Cameron McMillan
Mikel Merino with a free header in the box and he misses! Should have been the go-ahead goal.
Off comes Julian Alverez
Cameron McMillan
And that leaves Messi as the lone man up front
Spain changes
Cameron McMillan
Spain bring on Eric Garcia and Martin Zubimendi for their first games at the World Cup. Imagine if one of them gets the winner?
Goal ruled out
Cameron McMillan
Nico Williams scores but the referee quickly calls a foul in the lead-up. VAR checking? There was no obvious foul. Very odd.
The break is because Martinez is down. Ref sticks with his call. Spain robbed? Looks to have been a trod on the toe.
95th minute - Spain keep searching
Cameron McMillan
This is Spain's to win. It's been very one-sided. Can Argentina hold on for another 25 minutes?
92nd minute - Williams misses free header
Cameron McMillan
Nicolas Tagliafico wins a freekick. Martinez sends a long ball for Giuliano Simeone but too much on it and it's out for a goal kick.
Torres now with a run into the box. A ball for Yamal has too much on it. But Spain keep coming. Pedri with a ball for Williams. Free header in the box but he can't connect. Slight touch and Martinez saves.
First half of extra-time
Cameron McMillan
And they go again. Spain with early possession.
Argentina going the extra
Cameron McMillan
Argentina's third match of this tournament to go to extra time. They beat Cape Verde 3-2 and Switzerland 3-1.
Red cards in a Fifa World Cup final
Cameron McMillan
Pedro Monzonv (Argentina), 1990
Gustavo Dezotti (Argentina), 1990
Marcel Desailly (France), 1998
Zinedine Zidane (France), 2006
John Heitinga (Netherlands), 2010
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina), 2026
Spain in extra-time
Samuel Sherry
The last time Spain went to a World Cup Final was at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
That game was also taken to extra-time and a 116th minute winner from Andres Iniesta sealed them the trophy for the first time.
Their opponents in that game, the Netherlands, finished the match with 10-men but John Heitinga was sent off during extra-time.
We go to extra-time
Cameron McMillan
Messi's third World Cup final and his third that goes to extra-time.
End of 90
Cameron McMillan
Lamal strikes it and Emiliano Martinez dives to save it.
Cameron McMillan
Pedro Porro or Yamal lining it up
Spain freekick
Cameron McMillan
Leandro Paredes gives away a foul and Spain have a freekick in A1 position. Right in the middle. This to win the World Cup!
Cameron McMillan
Argentina are now claiming Spanish player Marc Cucurella covered his mouth to say something which would be another red. But replays show he touched his lips. No red for him.
It's 11 v 10.
Red card - Enzo Fernandez
Cameron McMillan
A second yellow for Enzo Fernandez has he charges into Pau Cubarsi. And he's off.
90th minute + 2: Argentina freekick
Cameron McMillan
Messi is fouled. Wasn't a hard foul, Messi ran into Aymeric Laporte. It's around 40m out so the shot is not on.
Four minutes of added time
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
The last time the USA held a World Cup final in 1994, it finished 0-0 between Brazil and Italy.
86th minute - Will we see a late winner?
Cameron McMillan
We're closing in a 0-0 90 minutes. Merino finds Torres in the box but he finds wide.
Enzo Fernandez yellow
Cameron McMillan
Goes in the book for arguing with the referee.
82nd minute: Laporte header saved
Cameron McMillan
Williams goes into the box and looks to find Aymeric Laporte. He headers straight to Martinez.
Another Spain corner
Cameron McMillan
It's all Spain now. They win another corner. Argentina just holding on.
79th minute - Another corner wasted
Cameron McMillan
Pau Cubarsi then just jumps below the ball as he looks to header a corner.
77th minute - Spain keep coming
Cameron McMillan
Rodri goes for goal after being pushed in the back. He wants the foul but it was play on. Yamal then free in the box but a pass is stopped. Martinez saves a strong shot from teenager Pau Cubarsi. Nico Williams then wins a corner.
Halftime show review
Samuel Sherry
Now the final has resumed, the halftime show probably feels like a distant memory.
However, former England captain Wayne Rooney gave a very quick review of it.
"I thought it was crap," he said.
More Spain changes
Cameron McMillan
Nico Williams and Mikel Merino come on for Spain with Olmo and Baena making way.
74th minute - Promising for Argentina
Cameron McMillan
Julian Alvarez in space out wide but doesn't come to much. Argentina set up again and come back but then Spain steal the back and look to counter. Eventually Spain settle back with the ball inside Argentina's half.
No shots Argentina
Cameron McMillan
Argentina are the first team at this World Cup, and of all time, to reach the second hydration break without a shot at goal.
Hydration break
Cameron McMillan
The last one of the World Cup! Oh they will be missed. Let's take the few minutes to reflect on our favourite hydration breaks of the tournament.
67th minute - Best chance for Spain
Cameron McMillan
Nicolas Tagliafico headers the ball out for another Spain corner. Spain keep coming but Argentina keep defending strong. Yamal with a ball into the box for Ferran Torres, a header from the edge of the six yard box is saved.
66th minute: Another Spain corner
Cameron McMillan
Yamal sends one to the near post. Ball comes back out to Yamal and a searching cross is headed away for another corner. This time Argentina are able to clear.
64th minute - Dani Olmo shot saved
Cameron McMillan
A foul but it's play on. Dani Olmo lines up a shot from outside the box and Martinez saves. Corner.
Spain changes
Cameron McMillan
On come Ferran Torres and Pedri for Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal's World Cup ends.
Famous faces
Samuel Sherry
There have been quite a few famous faces spotted in the crowd at the New York New Jersey stadium and a few Muppets.
One of the more surprising link-ups would have to be Tom Cruise and Sesame Street star Elmo uniting.
Cookie Monster joined in the picture as well.
62nd minute - Nothing comes of it
Cameron McMillan
Dani Olmo, Yamal and Oyarzaba talk it over. Eventually it's Yamal who fires it into the wall and Argentina clear.
60th minute - Spain freekick
Cameron McMillan
Spain win a freekick in a nice position. About 5m outside the box. Pedro Porro the man fouled.
Cameron McMillan
But the short corner ends with a searching long ball that goes out for a goal kick.
56th minute - Spain corner
Cameron McMillan
Lovely play by Spain stretches the Argentina defence but they can't pull the trigger in the final third. Mikel Oyarzabal had a chance to get a shot away but went for a pass instead. Argentina clear.
A few moments later Gonzalo Montiel stops a chance as Cucurella lines up a shot in the box. Spain corner.
Pitch side view
Samuel Sherry
If you had a spare US$1 million lying about and wanted a day out, then you could've bought one of the "on-the-pitch seats" available at the stadium.
Other than being at ground level for the final, you would have also received a World Cup branded sunhat free of charge.
Leandro Paredes yellow
Cameron McMillan
Leandro Paredes goes in the book for a push in the back. Right in front of the ref.
51st minute - Another foul by Spain
Cameron McMillan
Alex Baena fouls Gonzalo Montiel.
Cameron McMillan
More changes for Argentina? A few players look ready to come on.
48th minute - Argentina corner
Cameron McMillan
Long ball down the right wing for Gonzalo Montiel but Aymeric Laporte just gets to the ball first and it's out for a Argentina corner. Messi whips it in to the near post but is headed out for a goal kick.
New Zealand takes centre stage
Samuel Sherry
For once New Zealand is not cut out of the world map and is instead placed right at the centre of the World Cup halftime show.
It may not be an exact outline of the country but you can certainly see it there.
Maybe this is the future of global map projections?
47th minute - Early shot for Spain saved
Cameron McMillan
Alex Baena with time and space outside the box. He sends a low shot in but Martinez saves.
Spain start the second half
Cameron McMillan
Early possession for Spain but they turn it over straight away.
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