Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time as Spain beat champions Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup and dash Lionel Messi’s dreams of a triumphant farewell on football’s biggest stage.
Barcelona striker Torres scored the first goal in the 106th minute to give Spain the best goal against an Argentina team that failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.
A packed crowd of 80,663, including US President Donald Trump, packed East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium to see Argentina captain Messi cap off his career with a second World Cup victory.
But the 39-year-old – who played in his last World Cup game – was reduced to insignificance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina side that made a list of silly mistakes throughout.
The fatigue of the South American players ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off with a red card after pushing the Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.
For a long time, though, it looked as if Argentina could somehow hold on to penalties as Spain struggled to find a breakthrough.
