Spain are world champions again, but Argentina made sure the final will be remembered for all the wrong reasons too

Ferran Torres' 106th-minute goal sealed a 1-0 victory over ten-man Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as ugly scenes after the final whistle overshadowed a landmark night for Spanish football

Spain have done it again. Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute of extra time to beat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, and when Rodri lifted the trophy into the New Jersey sky, the right team had won. World champions, European champions, Olympic champions. The Spanish men's team now holds all three titles simultaneously, and the women are world champions too. It is, by any measure, a golden era.

Spain went in as clear favourites and they delivered on every front.

The goal itself was worth waiting for. Pedro Porro delivered the cross from the right, Nico Williams headed it down, and Torres finished with his left foot past Emiliano Martínez. It came against ten men, after Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card just before the end of normal time, having been fortunate not to be dismissed earlier. In all, six yellow cards were shown to Argentine players during the match, and none to Spain. Referee Slavko Vincic also disallowed a Nico Williams goal during the match, a decision that prompted considerable debate.

The statistics tell a story of complete Spanish dominance. Spain had 65% possession, 20 shots with 11 on target, and an expected goals figure of 1.94. Argentina made 464 passes to Spain's 852. Two Spain players completed more than 100 passes in the final, Rodri with 101 and Pau Cubarsi with 121, one of only three instances of that happening in World Cup final history, and both in the same game.

Argentina's only real weapon was their goalkeeper. Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves, the most by any goalkeeper on record in a World Cup final, denying a Lamine Yamal free kick, a Williams header and several other efforts that should have ended the game long before extra time. But the defending champions barely got near the other end. They did not register a single shot in 90 minutes of a World Cup final, something that has never happened before. Their first attempt came from Messi in the 117th minute. It was the first time in his last 12 World Cup games that Messi finished without a goal or an assist.

At the other end, Unai Simón was barely troubled. He set a tournament record with seven clean sheets in eight games, conceding just one goal across the entire competition. "If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be consistent," Simón said. "We played against Cristiano's Portugal, Mbappé's France, and now Messi's Argentina, facing players who can wreak havoc at any moment. We managed to keep our cool and control our emotions, and that was crucial."

Spain are now unbeaten in 38 consecutive matches in all competitions, the longest such run by any European team in history.

A hat trick of individual awards

Spain swept the individual prizes too. Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, Simón took the Golden Glove, and Cubarsi won the Best Young Player award, beating out fellow 19-year-old and Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal. Kylian Mbappé of France, whose side finished fourth, won the Golden Boot with 10 goals and four assists. Messi had to settle for the Silver Ball, with Mbappé taking the Bronze.

Rodri's Golden Ball is all the more remarkable given that he returned from a ruptured ACL suffered almost two years ago. The Manchester City midfielder did not score a single goal in the tournament, but his passing and control of possession are central to everything Spain does. He became just the 11th man in history to win the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or. "It feels like the perfect script," he said after receiving the award. "I certainly didn't expect this. This group is incredible. We are two-time world champions."

He also spoke movingly about his comeback from injury. "I'm proud and I would love for new generations to see that it is possible. That a player who touches the sky and then plummets to hell is also capable of rising again. It is an example of overcoming adversity, and you have to believe."

Former England captain Alan Shearer, on BBC One, put the result in simple terms. "There is no doubt that the right team won. This is a result for football because of the way that they have played. Spain deserve it."

What happened after the final whistle

The trophy presentation was overshadowed by scenes that shocked viewers around the world. As Spain's substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate, Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at Rodri, who stopped and confronted him. Leandro Paredes, who had been booked during the match and fortunate to avoid a second yellow on several occasions, then jabbed Eric García in the throat, wrestled Gavi to the ground and appeared to shove him in the face. Several players piled in on both sides before Scaloni ran on to try to separate them.

Paredes was reportedly shown a red card after the violence subsided. Fernández faces further punishment. FIFA has opened an investigation and could sanction the Argentine FA for failing to control their players.

As the trophy was being lifted, Argentina's players stood with their backs turned to the podium. They did the same when Rodri went up to collect the Golden Ball. Former England defender Stuart Pearce said simply: "That probably tells you a great deal, doesn't it?" Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart called it "disgusting behaviour," and Wayne Rooney added: "Embarrassing, seeing that sort of stuff after the game has been played. It is not good enough."

There was also a heated exchange between Argentina veteran Nicolás Otamendi and Rodri. "You've been crying about the referees all week, you and Laporte," Otamendi said. Rodri's response was measured: "I respect you."

Scaloni's post-match assessment, delivered through tears, sat awkwardly against what had just unfolded. "We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat," he said, before at least acknowledging the result. "They deserved the victory, that is the reality."

Spain's second star sits alongside the one from South Africa. Ferran Torres, who had struggled for goals during the tournament, ended up winning the World Cup. Football, as ever, has a wonderful sense of drama.

Images: Spanish News Today