Edi Umoh
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup.
The European champions dominated the match at the MetLife Stadium but struggled to find a breakthrough against the streetwise defending champions.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a string of saves to deny Spain, but the match changed complexion in second-half stoppage-time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless tackle on Pau Cubarsi.
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The match had ended 0-0 after 90 minutes before Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second World Cup title.
Extra-time followed a familiar pattern, with Spain probing for the opening goal against a deep-lying Argentina.
The breakthrough eventually came in the early moments of the second period of extra-time when substitute Torres finished crisply following a brilliant knock-back by Nico Williams.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain conceded just one goal in seven matches on their way to the final, suffocating opponents with their slick possession game.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina battled their way through the knockout rounds, coming back from the dead against Egypt and recovering from a goal down to beat England in the semi-finals.
Spain lifted the World Cup trophy a second time, 16 years after their maiden triumph at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
US President Donald Trump assisted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino decorated the players and officials.
Tournament Winners
- Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri ([Spain])
- Golden Boot (Top Goalscorer): Kylian Mbappé ([France])
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón ([Spain])
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsi ([Spain])
- FIFA Fair Play Award: The [Netherlands]
Prizes Money
- Champions: $50 million – $51 million
- Runners-up: $33 million – $34 million
- Third Place: $29 million – $30 million
- Fourth Place: $27 million – $28 million
- Quarterfinalists: $19 million – $20 million each
- Round of 16: $15 million – $16 million each
- Round of 32: $11 million – $12 million each
- Group Stage Out: $9 million – $10 million each
