Simply Ferrantastic! Spain win the World Cup with a late winner

Ferran Torres is ecstatic after scoring against Argentina on Sunday. Pics/AFP

Ferran Torres scored a dramatic extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage.

Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team that failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.

A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford's Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory.

Spain players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after beating Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday

But the 39-year-old maestro - almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game - was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team that committed cynical fouls throughout.

The South Americans' skulduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in stoppage time.

For long periods though, it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough.

But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck.

A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams, who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that clinched Spain's second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph.

"Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people - not just me or the 26 players," goal hero Torres said, referring to Spain's approximate population.

"At the end of the day, all finals are tough; when you're up against Messi, there's a certain nervousness, but we always believed in our football and in ourselves."

Spain captain Rodri, who won the Golden Ball award, said the team were "a bit shocked right now".

"Even myself I cannot express with words. I think now we're like in a cloud," he said.

There were ugly scenes after the final whistle as Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes triggered a melee by grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia around the throat in a skirmish that saw Spanish substitute Gavi thrown to the floor.

Messi, meanwhile, was seen with tears streaming down his face after receiving his runners-up medal in a ceremony headed by Trump, who was subjected to deafening boos and catcalls as he walked onto the pitch alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

1
No. of goals conceded by Spain in the just-concluded World Cup - the fewest ever by a World Cup winning team

38
No. of matches Spain are unbeaten in - the longest streak by any team

Three
Total number of World Cup goals scored by Ferran Torres

Torres on top for Spain

Senior appearances: 65
Goals scored: 25
Won UEFA European Championship in 2024
Won UEFA European U-19 Championship in 2019 (scored both goals in Spain's 2-0 final win over Portugal)
Won UEFA European U-17 Championship in 2017

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