In a battle that greatly contrasted the third-place match held yesterday, Spain won the FIFA World Cup over Argentina with a solo goal in extra time.
Throughout the World Cup final, Spain seemed to be the only team wanting to win. Argentina looked bereft of ideas, preferring to play for penalties from the opening whistle.
But a goal from Ferran Torres in the second half of extra time put Argentina’s game plan into disarray.
Whether it was due to smoke or spectacle, both nations started slow. It was a probing affair, with both sides taking their time to investigate openings, of which none seemed to materialize.
Throughout the opening towards the hydration break, only one shot, a close but sharp angle from Spain, occurred. Spain held the bulk of possession, using their typical Spanish control to dictate the match.
However, the difficulty for Spain (and Argentina) lay in the final third. Control inside their opponent’s box was limited as defenders packed the area, making it hard to manoeuvre.
Spain started moving the ball more quickly towards the end of the half, using their possession advantage to get into dangerous areas. Mikel Oyarzabal had the best chance of the half, a low, hard shot from the edge of the box that made Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s keeper, work for the save.
But regardless of how the stats portrayed the match, neither side managed to get the coveted opening goal.
Spain continued their dominance on the ball throughout the early part of the second half. Argentina made a couple of changes, which did help increase their opportunity, but to little avail.
As the half progressed, Spain’s game plan of keeping the ball away from Argentina to try and wear them down did seem to have an effect. Argentina dipped into their bench earlier than Spain to bring out fresh legs.
Argentina held fast at the back. Spain had chances, but they were few and from outside the box. In contrast, Argentina failed to register a single shot in the entirety of the full 90 minutes.
Nico Williams believed he had the opening goal early in extra time, but the referee blew the play down for a foul. Mikel Merino was adjudged to have stepped on a player in the box, but replays did question the call.
Spain finally found their goal in the 106th minute. The cross came in from the right, to the far post where Williams waited to head it back into the 6-yard box.
Waiting there was Torres. The substitute striker hit it clean, catching Martínez out of position.
It was the only goal of the match, the only goal Spain needed to secure their second-ever World Cup.
Spain’s numbers
Spain gave up only one goal in the entirety of the World Cup. It was in their quarter-finals match against Belgium. It also sets a record for the fewest goals allowed by a team in the World Cup.
Spain is also 38 matches undefeated in all competitions. Their loss in the UEFA Nation’s League final to Portugal was in penalties, which statistically counts as a draw.
Lamine Yamal also becomes the youngest player to have won both a UEFA European Championship and a World Cup.
World Cup awards
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé (France)
FIFA Young Player Award: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
Golden Glove: Unai Simón (Spain)
Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Netherlands
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