Ferran Torres Ends Argentina's Resistance
Ferran Torres was in the right place at the right time to mercifully settle a drab World Cup final in extra-time as Spain's dominance finally told against Argentina in New Jersey. The reigning world champions, chasing history as they sought to become just the third team to ever win successive World Cups, failed to show up. Even with the genius of Lionel Messi in tow, Argentina were toothless on the biggest stage, failing to muster a single shot on goal until the 117th minute.
An uneventful first half slowly turned into a lulling Spain siege with Emi Martinez called into action to thwart Dani Olmo. It was the Aston Villa star keeping Argentina alive, making saves from Torres, Aymeric Laporte and numerous others as Spain increased the pressure. Then, with extra-time looming, Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card after the Chelsea midfielder went flying into Pau Cubarsi in a 50-50 near halfway to leave Argentina with a mountain to climb.
Spain thought they finally had the goal their play merited in the early minutes of extra-time when Nico Williams smuggled the ball into the back of the net through a sea of bodies in the box before it was chalked off. But Argentina and Martinez's resistance was finally broken in the 106th minute when Torres plundered the winning goal.
Argentina's Fortune Runs Out
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last month, you'll probably be aware that Argentina have benefitted from some favourable officiating decisions. Egypt, eliminated in the most heartbreaking yet epic fashion by the defending world champions in the round of 16, even alleged there was a bias towards Lionel Scaloni's side from Fifa. There were more than a few circumstances during the England-Argentina game where those in blue and white stripes were fortunate to avoid being reprimanded by the officials. And wherever you stand on such talk, Alexis Mac Allister escaping punishment for a late, reckless challenge on Dani Olmo early in the first half will do little to stifle such accusations.
Maybe Argentina have just had the rub of the green on their way to tonight's final. But more than a few incidents during their enthralling run to the final, including Mac Allister's escape and the decision to rule out a Williams goal in extra-time for a soft foul on Nico Otamendi, have left an extremely sour taste.
A Slow-Burn Final
Pre-match, the big question on the BBC's coverage of the final was over who would be the unfortunate soul to follow Jennifer Hudson and her epic performance of the American national anthem. But perhaps the real concern should have been over this match following the 10-goal thriller England and France served up in their bronze final less than 24 hours earlier. Alright, the occasion isn't comparable and nerves and tension will have undoubtedly played a part in a drab first half, which saw the fewest shots (three, all for Spain) in any half of a World Cup final in history.
For all the razzmatazz of the United States' big plans for its pre-match coverage, not to mention a half-time show, the action on the pitch didn't live up to the billing here. Even with an additional half an hour of play.
Fernandez's Moment of Madness
Not even Argentina and their good fortune could survive Fernandez and his stupid decision to go absolutely hurtling into Cubarsi in the final moments of extra-time. Already on a yellow card for dissent, there could only be one outcome. Considering Argentina were pretty much under the pump for the whole game, Fernandez's cheap dismissal felt like the death knell for their chances of becoming just the third nation in history to win successive World Cups.
Fernandez was distraught, but it was an absolute moment of madness from a player who rescued Argentina in their hour of need just days beforehand. If Fernandez saved Argentina's World Cup hopes with his stunner against England, then he absolutely killed them here.
Martinez's One-Man Stand
Spain dominated the game in regulation time when both sides had 11 men, so there was an air of inevitably about Spain's winning goal when it eventually did come in extra-time. But if one man on the pitch didn't deserve to be on the losing side, it was Martinez. Heroic in Qatar four years ago as Argentina bested France on penalties, Martinez produced a performance on par with that in New Jersey, even if it was not enough to lift his country to yet more history.
After springing to the turf to repel another Spain attempt, Martinez turned to whip up the crowd shortly after Fernandez's dismissal. But even Argentina's larger than life keeper was unable to deny Torres' powerful effort, Martinez finally beaten at the 12th attempt.
The Messi-Yamal Final Falls Flat
We've all seen the picture; that one of Messi crading a baby Yamal taken when the Argentine magician was a teenager with the world at his feet. This was the dream final that Fifa would have privately craved months ago: the one that pitted master vs apprentice, Messi against Yamal. Narrative wise, it was pitch-perfect. Unfortunately, it transpired to be anything but. Both were ineffective and bystanders for large periods as Spain and Argentina sparred nervously for more than two hours.
This has been a tournament where Messi, even at 39 years of age, has cemented has reputation as the world's undisputed best, orchestrating resurrections against Cape Verde, Egypt and England to propel Argentina to a second successive World Cup final. But their tournament ended with a whimper here; Argentina were practically non-existent as an attacking force, failing to muster a single attempt on goal in regulation time. This was a meek surrender.
In the case of Yamal, there were flashes of the genius that will almost certainly ensure he enjoys a long, fruitful reign as one of football's new icons. But like Messi, he too was on the periphery for much of this final. In truth, it's been that sort of tournament for Messi's Barcelona heir. This World Cup will be remembered for many things. Unfortunately, the Messi-Yamal final will not be one of them.
