A red card, extra time and Ferran Torres: How Spain dethroned Messi’s Argentina to reclaim FIFA World Cup after 16 years

Spain ended Argentina’s reign as world champions with a 1-0 extra-time victory in New Jersey, but the celebrations were briefly overshadowed by a confrontation involving players and staff after the final whistle.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute as Spain claimed their second men’s FIFA World Cup title. Argentina had been reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute after Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card.

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The victory completed an unbeaten campaign for Luis de la Fuente’s side and added the world crown to Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 title. Spain’s previous World Cup triumph came in 2010.

US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy to Spain during the ceremony at New York New Jersey Stadium. Trump remained on the podium as the Spanish players gathered for the trophy lift.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Spain’s King Felipe VI were among the political and royal figures present for the final.

Ferran Torres breaks Argentina resistance in extra time

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez repeatedly denied Spain as La Roja controlled possession and created most of the clearer opportunities.

The breakthrough arrived in the second period of extra time. Nico Williams directed a header into Torres’ path, and the substitute converted in the 106th minute to give Spain the lead.

Argentina lost Fernández in the 93rd minute of stoppage time. The midfielder was shown a second yellow card following a challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving the defending champions with 10 men before the match entered extra time.

Spain protected the advantage through the closing stages to secure their first world title in 16 years.

The result also denied Argentina captain Lionel Messi a successful defence of the trophy he won in 2022.

Messi, aged 39 years and 25 days, became the oldest outfield player to appear in a men’s World Cup final. It was his third appearance in the title match after the 2014 and 2022 finals.

Paredes-García confrontation sparks post-match scuffle

Tensions spilled over after the final whistle when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes confronted Spain defender Eric García.

Paredes appeared to put a hand near García’s throat before the Spain player went to the ground, according to ESPN. Players, substitutes and coaching staff from both teams then became involved before officials and teammates separated them.

The scenes later calmed. Several Spain players embraced Messi, while Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente hugged at midfield.

‘We were the better side,’ says Oyarzabal

Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal said the scale of the achievement had yet to sink in.

“I think we’re still not aware of it, and it’s going to take time to really believe it. A complicated match — them with their style, waiting for their moment. I think we were the better side, and we’re very happy,” he told Telemundo, according to The Athletic.

Oyarzabal said Spain trusted that their control of the game would eventually produce a goal.

“We knew we were doing what needed to be done, and it was a matter of time before it went in. We were controlling the game, and that’s the consequence of it. Crazy days are coming. Many of us players have been together for 10, 12 years, sometimes with the coach (De la Fuente) too. That helps a lot in a tournament as long as this one,” he said.

Scaloni to consider Argentina future

Scaloni said he would speak to the Argentine Football Association president before deciding his next step. His contract runs until December.

“Truth be told, I didn’t speak to Leo, and as for me, I will talk to the president. I have an idea of what I would like to do. I will see out my contract (it expires in December), and I feel the need to think, as I don’t know if something as big can be done and maybe we need to speak this through,” he said, according to The Athletic.

The Argentina coach urged supporters to recognise the significance of reaching the final even though the defending champions fell short.

“I feel sadness now; but above all, I have an eternal gratitude to these boys, because getting this far takes a tremendous amount. We’re great in victory and we have to be great in defeat, and we remember what we’ve done. We gave everything,” Scaloni said in comments shared by the Argentine Football Association.

Spain’s triumph made them the first country to hold the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup trophies at the same time. Rodri received the Golden Ball, Unai Simón won the Golden Glove, and Pau Cubarsí was named the tournament’s best young player.