Spain has claimed the World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a closely contested final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This victory marks Spain’s second World Cup win, following their triumph in 2010. The match saw a dominant performance from Spain, who outshot Argentina significantly during regulation time. Celebrations erupted across Madrid following the final whistle, with thousands of fans gathering in major squares like Puerta de Sol to commemorate the achievement.
For Lionel Messi, the final marked a poignant moment, as his World Cup career appears to have concluded. Despite the global spectacle and the presence of tens of thousands of fans at MetLife Stadium, Messi appeared isolated on the field as the final whistle blew. He remained by himself, defeated, while Spain’s substitutes celebrated with their teammates. Messi later sat down, removing the boots specially made for him, named the Last Tango, signaling what many believe to be the end of his journey in the tournament.
The match itself mirrored a pattern seen in the 1990 final, where Argentina struggled to register shots on target. Spain’s persistent, angled attacks ultimately broke the deadlock. When Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, Messi fell to his back, holding his head, sensing the end of his team’s hopes for a comeback. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, acknowledged the team’s inability to compete head-to-head in terms of football on the day. Messi touched the ball only once in the initial 15 minutes of the game, and Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon, did not need to make a save until stoppage time.
The atmosphere at the stadium was heavily skewed towards Argentina supporters, who outnumbered Spanish fans by a significant margin. Despite this, chants of “ME-SSI, ME-SSI!” rose from the crowd as Spain’s Rodri walked on stage to receive the player of the match award. Messi then led his team to receive their runners-up medals from U.S. President Donald Trump. Visibly emotional, Messi was seen weeping as Spain lifted the trophy, with a banner featuring him and Diego Maradona fluttering in the wind, captioned “symbiosis.”
The journey to the final for Argentina was marked by a constant threat of elimination, with dramatic escapes in earlier knockout stages. They faced challenges from teams like Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland, often finding themselves on the brink of exiting the tournament. This created a palpable sense that each match could be Messi’s last dance on the World Cup stage. The team and its captain were described as being a beat away from separation, only to be pulled back into contention.
Argentina’s performance in the final was further complicated by disciplinary issues. After the final whistle, Messi’s teammates were involved in a brawl, with Leandro Paredes at the center of the altercation. Adding to the team’s difficulties, Enzo Fernandez received a sending off, leaving an already tired team shorthanded as they prepared for extra time for the third time in the tournament. This meant no fourth star would twinkle for Argentina.
Messi’s presence in the tournament, even at the age of 39, continued to draw immense attention. A photograph circulated on social media prior to the game, showing a 20-year-old Messi cradling Lamine Yamal, then a five-month-old baby, during a photoshoot in Barcelona in 2007. This highlighted Messi’s remarkable longevity in the sport. Despite his advanced age for a footballer, Messi has scored 15 of his 21 World Cup goals since turning 35, a testament to his enduring impact.
The Spanish team, coached by Luis de la Fuente, showcased a methodical and technical approach throughout the tournament. They steadily progressed, often winning by narrow margins, and notably defeated France in the semifinals without significant drama. While Lamine Yamal, their 19-year-old right winger, provided flair with his speed, Rodri, the team’s central midfielder and captain, was the strategic lynchpin. Rodri, who plays club football for Manchester City, had previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 before suffering a serious injury, but rediscovered his dominant form during the World Cup.
The final was the 104th match of what has been described as the longest World Cup in history. The tournament’s opening game at MetLife Stadium on June 13th, between Brazil and Morocco, coincided with the Knicks’ victory in the NBA Finals, contributing to a prolonged feeling of summer and escape in New York. The victory for Spain also means that, combined with their Women’s World Cup win in 2023, they are the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s titles. The Spanish team is set to return home on Monday for a royal welcome and a parade through central Madrid.
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Source: nytimes.com
