Spain wins title for second time fifa world cup Ferran Torres scored a late extra-time winner to break Argentina’s resistance in a dramatic final that sealed the title. Lionel MessiThe 10-man squad failed to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.After a tense and dramatic game, the Spanish team finally made a breakthrough. Torres scored in the 106th minute. The Spanish team defeated the defending champion Argentina 1-0, allowing Messi to once again create a World Cup fairy tale.After 105 minutes of relentless pressure, missed chances and heroic resistance from the Argentine, Torres struck the decisive blow just 37 seconds after the restart in the second period of overtime.The goal came from a great team move. Pedro Polo made a long pass into the penalty area, Nico Williams headed the ball back into the penalty area, and Torres shot the ball into the goal late.Celebrations erupted in Spain as Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team to retain the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962 were finally dashed.The goal was reward for Spain’s dominance throughout the game. La Roja dominated possession, created most of the chances and repeatedly tested Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who went on to seal the victory with a record-breaking performance in the final.Due to Enzo Fernandez’s red card at the end of normal time, Argentina was reduced to 10 men, chasing the game with a numerical disadvantage and little offensive threat.
Messi’s last World Cup ends in heartbreak as Argentina battle ten men
As both teams failed to break the deadlock in the 90 minutes and the first half of overtime, the final seemed destined to go into a penalty shootout.Spain even scored early in extra time, with Nico Williams scoring, but the referee ruled that Mikel Merino had fouled Nicolas Otamendi before the end of the game.However, Argentina’s resistance suffered a major blow before extra time when Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card for a foul on Paulo Cubas.The midfielder, who scored Argentina’s equalizer in their semi-final win over England, protested the decision but referee Slavko Vincic didn’t hesitate.With 10 players on the field, Argentina were forced to adopt a defensive strategy. Coach Lionel Scaloni even replaced Julian Alvarez with defender Marcos Senesi as Spain moved on.The defeat ended Argentina’s dream of winning a fourth World Cup and cost Messi his chance to win a second consecutive World Cup.It was widely believed that Messi would be playing his last World Cup, but he struggled to impact the game as Spain’s midfield and defense managed to contain the Argentine superstar.This defeat also ended Argentina’s glorious journey of defeating the defending champion France in a dramatic penalty shootout in the 2022 Qatar final.Meanwhile, Spain completed their golden era renaissance by winning their second World Cup title following their famous victory in South Africa in 2010.The win also capped off a remarkable campaign for teenage star Lamine Yamal, who became the first player to feature in a European Cup final and a World Cup final as a teenager.
