World Cup: Spain World Champions After Beating Argentina

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Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history after 2010, beating Argentina and their star Lionel Messi 1-0 after extra time on Sunday in New Jersey.

After going to extra time and the sending off of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández for a second yellow card (90+3), substitute Ferran Torres scored the deserved winning goal for the European champions in the 106th minute, denying Argentina a fourth title after 1978, 1986 and 2022.

World Cup Final: Spain World Champions for the Second Time After Beating Argentina

Despite Spain's dominance from start to finish, they had to wait until the 106th minute to finally get past Emiliano Martínez.

The Argentine goalkeeper had saved 12 attempts until that moment, but he could do nothing when Nico Williams provided a header across to the far post, before Torres smashed the ball powerfully into the roof of the net.

Despite Spain's control, the match remained cautious, as 'La Roja' struggled to find spaces between Argentina's compact and solid defensive lines.

As the first half neared its end, chances began to appear, with Mikel Oyarzabal shooting and Martínez saving, while Marc Cucurella sent an attempt just wide.

Argentina's task became more difficult as their two starting center-backs suffered injuries as the match progressed. Lisandro Martínez left the pitch due to injury, replaced by Nicolás Otamendi just before the break, and then Facundo Medina came on for Cristian Romero after 70 minutes.

Argentina had scored 19 goals on their way to the final, but Spain's dominance was such that 'La Albiceleste' did not manage a single shot during the 90 minutes.

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World Cup Final: Spain World Champions for the Second Time After Beating Argentina

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His task became more difficult when Fernández received his second yellow card three minutes into second-half stoppage time.

The scene was no different in the first period of extra time, as Martínez saved a header from Williams, before a goal by the same player was disallowed for a foul by Mikel Merino on Otamendi. Then Merino himself sent a header wide.

As the second half of extra time began, Ferran Torres decided to end Argentine resistance after following up Nico Williams's back-header, smashing a powerful shot into the roof of the net to give Spain the lead for the first time.

Despite Argentina's push in the final minutes to equalize, their attempts failed, as Spain wrote a new chapter in the record books of champions.

Rodri best player of the World Cup

Image caption, Rodri best player of the World Cup

As for individual awards, the world champions dominated; Spaniard Ferran Torres won the Man of the Match award for the final after scoring the decisive goal.

Spaniard Rodri won the Best Player of the World Cup award, Spaniard Unai Simón won the Best Goalkeeper award, and Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player award.

Frenchman Kylian Mbappé won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals.

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