Spain manager Luis de la Fuente hailed his players for fulfilling what he described as 'their destiny' after winning the World Cup final against a 10-man Argentina side. The match, decided in extra time, saw Ferran Torres score the decisive goal, making Spain world champions for the second time.
Match Summary
The reigning champions Argentina were second best throughout the game but held on until the second period of extra time when substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock. Nico Williams had a goal disallowed in the first half of extra time, while Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández became the sixth player sent off in a World Cup final after receiving a second yellow card in the 93rd minute.
Argentina had chances to equalise after Torres put Spain ahead, but Lionel Messi could not inspire them to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962. Messi failed to add to his eight goals in what is expected to be his last World Cup at age 39, allowing Kylian Mbappé to win his second Golden Boot with 10 goals.
Defensive Solidity and Individual Awards
Spain's miserly defence proved decisive, conceding only one goal in eight matches. Goalkeeper Unai Simón won the best goalkeeper award, teenage defender Pau Cubarsí was named young player of the tournament, and Manchester City midfielder Rodri received the Golden Ball.
'It was written, and we deserve it,' said De la Fuente, who has led Spain to European titles at under-19, under-21 and senior levels before this triumph. 'This team and this wonderful fanbase deserve everything. We had a date with destiny and we wanted to make it count.'
The 65-year-old manager, who became the oldest to win a World Cup, joked about tattoos: 'I'm too old for tattoos,' while Álex Baena and Marc Cucurella plan to get tattoos to celebrate the victory.
Torres's Winning Goal
Ferran Torres, who emulated Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner in the 2010 final, said: 'This isn't just my goal. It's for 47 million people. I want to grab the cup and squeeze it. In the end, when you've got Messi on the opposing team, you do get a bit nervous, but we always try to play our own game.'
Post-Match Incidents and Scaloni's Future
After the full-time whistle, ugly scenes erupted when Leandro Paredes pushed Eric García and appeared to aim punches at Gavi while he was on the floor, earning a red card from the Slovenian referee. Argentina's players kept their backs turned when Rodri was presented with the trophy by US President Donald Trump.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who led the team to victory in 2022, broke down in tears in his post-match press conference and would not confirm if he will continue after his contract expires at the end of this year. 'It hurts my soul. I'm sorry,' he said. 'I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future, because I'm not sure this kind of group can be assembled again.'
Regarding Messi's retirement plans, Scaloni added: 'At 39 years old, it's an incredible thing. He is going to play as long as he wants. He's the best player to ever set foot on a field. What he did in this World Cup is incredible.'
