- Spain won the World Cup for the first time since 2010 with a 1-0 extra-time win over defending champion Argentina.
- De la Fuente praised his players for fulfilling what he described as 'their destiny' against 10-man Argentina.
- Ferran Torres scored the only goal seconds into the second extra-time period, leading Spain to victory.
- Spain's youth movement was highlighted by the presence of teenagers Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal, who hadn't been born when Messi made his World Cup debut.
- Argentina's aging lineup had an average age of over 30, making it the second-oldest to play in a final.
- De la Fuente expressed his joy by stating, 'We had a date with destiny and we wanted to make it count.'
Spain won the World Cup for the first time since 2010 with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, marking a significant achievement for a team featuring the sixth-youngest roster in the tournament.1
The decisive goal came from Ferran Torres, who scored in the second extra-time period, assisted by Nico Williams. Torres, who had started just once in the tournament, expressed his joy, stating, “This isn’t just my goal, it’s for 47 million people.”
Spain's defense was formidable, with Rodri leading the charge and earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. He noted, “This team is tireless,” as they look forward to future challenges.
Manager Luis de la Fuente celebrated the victory, saying, “We had a date with destiny and we wanted to make it count.” His leadership has been pivotal, having previously guided Spain to European titles at various levels.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, faced disappointment, failing to register a shot on goal during the final. Messi, in tears, concluded his World Cup journey without a win, while the team’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed his emotional turmoil post-match.
The match was marked by intense moments, including a red card for Argentina's Leandro Paredes after a confrontation with Spain's players. Despite the loss, Messi's legacy as one of the greatest players remains intact, with De la Fuente acknowledging, “He is the best player to ever set foot on a field.”
“Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time, securing Spain's first World Cup title since 2010. Rodri won the Golden Ball, and Spain's defense prevented Argentina from a single shot on goal, extending their record winning streak to 38 games.”
The Guardian
