Ferran Torres extra-time winner crowns Spain world champions against Argentina

Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute as Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup final, a tense, tactical contest in which La Roja’s dominance of the ball finally broke down a stubborn Albiceleste defence.

Spain

• Unai Simón Mendibil (6.5)
• Pedro Antonio Porro Sauceda (7.2)
• Pau Cubarsí Paredes (8.3)
• Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alph Laporte (7)
• Marc Cucurella Saseta (6.9)
• Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (8.3)
• Fabián Ruiz Peña (6.7)
• Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana (7.2)
• Daniel Olmo Carvajal (7)
• Alejandro Baena Rodríguez (6.7)
• Mikel Oyarzabal Ugarte (6.6)

Argentina

• Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero (9.7)
• Gonzalo Ariel Montiel (6.6)
• Cristian Gabriel Romero (6.9)
• Lisandro Martínez (6.6)
• Nicolás Alejandro Tagliafico (6.7)
• Rodrigo Javier De Paul (6.5)
• Enzo Jeremías Fernández (5.9)
• Alexis Mac Allister (6.7)
• Nicolás Iván González (6.7)
• Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (7.3)
• Julián Álvarez (6.5)

Substitutions:

Spain

• Fabián Ruiz Peña (Pedro González López, 62)
• Mikel Oyarzabal Ugarte (Ferran Torres García, 62)
• Alejandro Baena Rodríguez (Nicholas Williams Arthuer, 75)
• Daniel Olmo Carvajal (Mikel Merino Zazón, 75)
• Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez, 99)
• Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alph Laporte (Eric García Martret, 99)

Argentina

• Lisandro Martínez (Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi, 44)
• Nicolás Iván González (Leandro Daniel Paredes, 46)
• Gonzalo Ariel Montiel (Nahuel Molina Lucero, 58)
• Cristian Gabriel Romero (Facundo Axel Medina, 70)
• Rodrigo Javier De Paul (Giuliano Simeone Baldini, 70)
• Julián Álvarez (Marcos Nicolás Senesi Barón, 102)

Ball possession:

Spain, who enjoyed 65% possession to Argentina’s 35%, had to wait deep into extra time for the breakthrough their control and attacking intent merited. Torres, sharpest in the box when it mattered most, swept home after another spell of Spanish pressure to settle a cagey final of few clear chances for Lionel Scaloni’s side.

Passes:

The decisive moment came just as a penalty shootout loomed. Spain recycled possession patiently on the edge of the Argentina area, a pattern that had defined the match, before a low ball into the box broke kindly for Torres. The forward made no mistake, drilling past the helpless goalkeeper to send the Spanish bench into wild celebration and secure a second world title.

Defense:

Despite the narrow scoreline, the underlying numbers told the story of a one‑sided contest. Spain generated 20 shots in total, with 12 on target, repeatedly testing Argentina’s defensive organisation. The most active and dangerous of Spain’s attackers was Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, who led the match in both attempts on goal and face-to-face duels for the ball, engaging in nine individual battles as he consistently drove at the Argentina back line.

Face-to-face:

Argentina, by contrast, struggled to turn their spells of pressure into threat. They registered just two shots, neither of which was on target. Giuliano Simeone Baldini, the most effective of their forwards in terms of getting into shooting positions, managed their best efforts but was largely starved of service by Spain’s territorial control and pressing.

Fouls: