Ferran Torres clinched Spain’s second men’s World Cup title with an extra-time winner against reigning world champions Argentina in a bad-tempered final marred by Enzo Fernández’s red card for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez put up a record 10 saves trying to keep it alive, but Spain’s defense posted its seventh clean sheet of the tournament and walked away with the trophy. Barcelona forward Torres, a 62nd-minute substitute for Mikel Oyarzabal, sealed a 1-0 win for the European champions when he struck from close range in the 106th minute after Nico Williams had headed Pedro Porro‘s cross into his path.
Spain had dominated the game in New Jersey and created countless scoring opportunities without being able to convert them. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez finished with 11 saves, the most in a World Cup final. Spain’s dominance was such that Argentina did not register their first shot at goal until Lionel Messi had an attempt blocked in the 117th minute. The 39-year-old Messi, who became the first man to start three World Cup finals and the oldest outfield player to start a final, finished the tournament with eight goals, two behind France’s Kylian Mbappé in the battle for the Golden Boot.
Though he has yet to confirm his future plans, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has likely finished his World Cup career with 21 goals, one behind Mbappé for the leading all-time scorer. Argentina, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, were unable to match up to Spain, with even Inter Miami star Messi failing to trouble Luis de la Fuente’s team.
The Spanish finish the World Cup with just one goal allowed, the fewest for a World Cup winner despite playing more games (eight) than any previous champion. As well as a second World Cup title, Spain’s win extended their unbeaten streak to 38 games in all competitions (29-9-0 W-D-L), breaking a tie with Italy (2018-21) for the longest by a men’s national team.
Celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Matt Damon were among the actors at the game. The NBA had enough talent there for a full All-Star Game, with the list of players attending including Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant and James Harden. Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were among the tennis royalty watching, and the NFL had names like Eli Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley in attendance. Two of the greatest U.S. skiers ever, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, were also at the match — and, of course, there was soccer royalty with the likes of Kaka, David Beckham, Didier Drogba and Zinedine Zidane, as well as a reunion of Spain’s victorious 2010 team.
Post Malone headlined the closing ceremony, which started about 90 minutes before the final was set to begin and just a few minutes after Messi and Argentina arrived at the stadium. The halftime show — a first for FIFA and part of a 27-minute break — featured Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS, along with Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus with Coldplay and even characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets.
President Donald Trump was present as well and awarded the trophy to Rodri as Spain sat atop the soccer world once more.