Spain wins the World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 on Ferran Torres’ goal in extra time

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.: Ferran Torres’ first goal of this year’s World Cup was the goal of his life, and it put Spain back atop the soccer world.
Denying Lionel Messi a second straight title in what he has indicated would be his final World Cup match, Torres came off the bench and scored in the 106th minute and Spain — in a match it simply dominated — ended Argentina’s reign with a 1-0 win on Sunday.
Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.
Maybe not by them — but certainly for them.
It was Spain’s second title, this trophy getting added to the one claimed in 2010. And there’s no question about the center of the soccer universe now, not after this display.
Spain allowed only one goal in eight matches at the tournament, setting a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.

And this title, combined with the World Cup won by Spain’s women in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.
“I feel sad,” said Messi, who was moved to tears after receiving his runner-up medal and staring into the crowd at Argentina supporters. “They were better, to be honest.”
The score indicates this match was close, but only one team was in command.
Spain took the game’s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina — desperate for an equalizer — got its first attempt off in the second half of extra time.