Ferran Torres extra-time winner crowns Spain world champions against 10-man Argentina
Spain have been crowned world champions for the second time in their history after substitute Ferran Torres struck a dramatic 106th-minute winner to sink ten-man Argentina at a sold-out MetLife Stadium.
The Barcelona forward broke the stubborn, desperate resistance of the defending champions just 37 seconds into the second period of extra time. Pedro Porro floated a deep cross to the back post where Nico Williams intelligently nodded it across the face of goal, allowing Torres to ghost in and lash a left-footed volley into the roof of the net.
The triumph completes a historic double for Spanish football, making them the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles. It also extends La Roja’s remarkable unbeaten international run to 38 matches, adding soccer’s ultimate prize to their Euro 2024 crown. For Lionel Messi, playing in his final World Cup appearance, there was to be no fairytale farewell as Argentina’s crown was wrestled away in grueling fashion.
For 105 breathless minutes, it had looked as though Argentina might somehow drag the contest to a penalty shootout. Despite Luis de la Fuente’s side entirely dominating possession and territory, they came up against a human brick wall in Emiliano Martínez. The Aston Villa goalkeeper produced a staggering 11 saves over the course of the 120 minutes, frustrating Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Mikel Oyarzabal with a string of world-class stops that deservedly earned him the Player of the Match award despite the loss.
Spain racked up 15 shots in regulation time while a blunt Argentina attack failed to register a single shot on target across the entire match. Lionel Scaloni’s side set up to suffocate the European champions, relying on deep defensive lines and a series of robust, physical challenges. Alexis Mac Allister was incredibly fortunate to escape an early red card after a dangerous studs-up challenge on Dani Olmo’s ankle in the 15th minute.
Argentina’s discipline ultimately unraveled in second-half stoppage time. Enzo Fernández, who had already been booked, committed a reckless challenge that sent teenage defender Pau Cubarsí cartwheeling through the air. The referee showed no hesitation in brandishing a second yellow, followed by a red, leaving the holders down to 10 men for the extra period.
With the numerical advantage, Spain added fresh urgency. Martínez kept them at bay initially, clawing away a brilliant, curling Lamine Yamal free-kick deep in added time and denying Williams with a sharp one-handed save. But the pressure eventually told when Torres turned home Williams’ header, sparking wild celebrations on the Spanish bench. Spain thought they had doubled their lead minutes later when Torres raced through to finish again, only to be denied by a late offside flag.
Argentina launched one final, desperate aerial assault into the Spanish penalty box in the closing minutes, but La Roja stood firm to secure their status as the undisputed kings of world football.
