Ferran Torres\u2019 first goal of this 12 months\u2019s World Cup was the goal of his life, and it put Spain back atop the soccer world.<\/p>\n
Denying Lionel Messi a second straight title in what he has indicated could be his final World Cup match, Torres got here off the bench and scored within the 106th minute and Spain \u2014 in a match it simply dominated \u2014 ended Argentina\u2019s reign with a 1-0 win on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Torres pounced on a bouncing ball within the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just below the crossbar and into the back of the online.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a goal scored by 47 million people,\u201d Torres said, referring to Spain\u2019s population.<\/p>\n
Possibly not by them \u2014 but definitely for them.<\/p>\n
It was Spain\u2019s second title, this trophy getting added to the one claimed in 2010. And there\u2019s no doubt in regards to the center of the soccer universe now, not after this display.<\/p>\n
Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Spain allowed just one goal in eight matches on the tournament, setting a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion. And this title, combined with the World Cup won by Spain\u2019s women in 2023, makes the European nation the primary to carry each the lads\u2019s and ladies\u2019s titles concurrently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel sad,\u201d said Messi, who was moved to tears after receiving his runner-up medal and staring into the gang at Argentina supporters. \u201cThey were higher, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rating indicates this match was close, but just one team was in command.<\/p>\n
Spain took the sport\u2019s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina \u2014 desperate for an equalizer \u2014 got its first attempt off within the second half of beyond regular time. Spain took nine of the sport\u2019s first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champions a shot at going back-to-back.<\/p>\n
Spain is now unbeaten in its last 38 matches \u2014 29 wins, nine draws \u2014 and now’s the outright holder of the longest such streak by any European team ever. Italy went 37 matches (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 through September 2021, before Spain ended that streak.<\/p>\n
And for the last two-plus years, no one has beaten Spain. Not even Messi. An Argentina team that was the kings of the late-game rally on this tournament had no answer this time.<\/p>\n
Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Messi took a corner kick with about 4 minutes left before the ultimate whistle and the ball took a fortunate skip toward reserve Giuliano Simeone \u2014 who sent it high and over the crossbar, holding his head in disbelief afterward.<\/p>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/wp-content\/themes\/shaw-globalnews\/images\/skyline\/national.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\nGet breaking National news<\/h2>\n
Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox because it happens so you will not miss a trending story.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWhen you’ve Messi on the opposite side, well, you might be nervous,\u201d Torres said. \u201cAt the top of the day, we at all times trusted us. We at all times provide you with our football, and we showed it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win made Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach ever to guide a team to the World Cup title.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re world champions,\u201d de la Fuente said. \u201cIt was together we reached this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was some pushing and shoving after the ultimate whistle, which was quickly cleaned up and Spain commenced its celebration as most Argentina players sat on the turf in disbelief. Cooler heads prevailed, and Spain\u2019s players lined up minutes later to form an honor guard of sorts for Argentina\u2019s squad to walk through on its approach to the stage for the runner-up medals.<\/p>\n
Enzo Fernandez was sent off in second-half stoppage time after getting his second yellow card, meaning Argentina was forced to complete the match with only 10 players. Fernandez was carded for a reckless play that sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air, and the cardboard got here out immediately.<\/p>\n
Story continues below commercial<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
It was the 104th and last match of the most important World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Because there have been more matches than any previous World Cup, it was no surprise that there have been more goals than all other editions \u2014 greater than 300, nearly three per match.<\/p>\n
Except, in fact, when Spain was involved. Spain\u2019s plan was easy and flawless: Hold the ball as much as possible, denying opponents any hint of possibilities.<\/p>\n
It worked, all of the approach to the top.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"Click](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/media.globalnews.ca\/videostatic\/news\/fv6wuwpllo-glwdzgtmdu\/NG_JS_V2_FIFA_FINAL_TEE_OM01Y78W_thumbnail_1280x720_.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t