Ferran Torres Wins It in Extra Time as Spain Beat Argentina to Claim Their Second World Cup
Ferran Torres scores the most valuable goal of the tournament in extra time as ten-man Argentina fall and Spain beat the holders to lift the World Cup for the second time in their history, 16 years after 2010.
The World Cup final brought together the two best teams in the tournament, each having fully earned their place on the closing stage. Argentina reached the final for the second time in a row as holders of the previous edition, while Spain went into the match aiming to win a second world title in their history, after their historic triumph in 2010.
The contest began with great caution, imposed by the awe that finals inspire, and clear tactical discipline from both sides. Spain leaned on their familiar style, "tiki-taka," dominating possession and exchanging short, precise passes while pressing relentlessly in search of a gap in the Argentine defence.
Argentina, by contrast, fell back into a strong, organised defensive block and looked to hit on the counter, hoping their captain and legend Lionel Messi could steal the most precious goal of all — the goal that would hand his country the world title. But the Spanish defence was up to the task, snuffing out every Argentine attempt, and the first half ended goalless, a logical outcome given the great caution shown by both sides.
As the second half got under way, Spain kept up their control and raised the intensity of their pressing, while Argentina clung to their resolute defending, with a standout display from their goalkeeper — the winner of the Golden Glove at the last edition — who denied several clear chances and kept his country in the tie.
Just before the whistle for the end of normal time, Argentina were dealt a painful blow as one of their players was sent off, leaving them to finish the match with ten men and handing Spain a clear advantage in extra time.
In extra time, Spain thought they had settled the title when they found the net, but their joy was cut short when the referee ruled the goal out for offside. Spanish determination did not waver, however, and Ferran Torres stepped up to write the final chapter of the story, scoring the most valuable goal of the tournament and handing Spain the World Cup for the second time in their history, after a heroic performance and a fully deserved coronation.
