Online Sports Desk
Spain finally broke Argentina’s dogged resistance in extra time to win the men’s World Cup for the second time with a 1-0 victory.
The Barcelona winger Ferran Torres scored the only goal of a disjointed game that was almost ruined by Argentina’s deliberate spoiling tactics, which backfired when they were reduced to 10 men for extra time by the late dismissal of Enzo Fernández for two yellow cards.
Spain had dominated throughout, having 20 shots to an extraordinary two from Argentina – both as they chased an equaliser –and were finally rewarded when Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute.
Pedro Porro’s cross to the back post was kept in play brilliantly by Nico Williams, with Torres pouncing to fire beyond Emi Martínez and send the Spanish into raptures.
Martínez had performed brilliantly to keep Argentina in the contest with a string of superb saves, but most neutrals and the many celebrities in attendance will have been pleased to see him finally beaten given his side’s cynical tactics.
Argentina did not even attempt a shot on goal until the 115th minute when Lionel Messi, making his final World Cup appearance, struck the ball at the head of Mikel Merino.
There were ugly scenes after the final whistle, with Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes in particular reacting aggressively and players briefly scrapping. Paredes shoved Gavi to the turf and was sent off.
The climax of the World Cup, FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, described on Friday as “the most incredible event in human history,” was as much a showbiz as a sporting occasion, with the spectacle on the pitch failing to live up to the razzmatazz off it.
