SPAIN sealed World Cup glory with an extra-time victory over Argentina – and it was two substitutes who made the difference.
Ferran Torres climbed off the bench to grab a 106th minute winner in the outskirts of New York.
Ferran Torres grabbed the winner for Spain Credit: AP
Lionel Messi was left heartbroken Credit: Reuters
The former Manchester City man reacted quickest following a knock-down from Nico Williams, who had a goal of his own controversially ruled out.
It allowed Spain to win the tournament for the second time – having also got their hands on the sport’s biggest prize in 2010.
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And it ended Argentina’s hopes of defending the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
JattvibeSport’s Shaun Custis and Dean Scoggins have given their verdict on the performances in the World Cup final
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SPAIN
UNAI SIMON: 6/10
Not his busiest of days but undoubtedly has a composure about him and was always alert to the through ball. A calming influence for his defence.
PEDRO PORRO: 6
He has not always been an assured presence during Spurs’ struggles. However, he has certainly looked the part for Spain in this tournament both in defence and attack.
PAU CUBARSI: 7
What a talent this young defender is. Still only 19 yet he is an established centre-back for Barcelona and Spain. Wonderful passer of a football. Fouled by Enzo Fernandez who was sent off for a second yellow.
AYMERIC LAPORTE: 7
Seems to have found his form again since leaving Manchester City. Has established a good double-act with young Cubarsi and had a header saved by Emiliano Martinez.
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MARC CUCURELLA: 7
There were those who thought he was a bit of a clown when he first signed for Chelsea. Has now joined Real Madrid and easy to see why. Gave Spain defensive quality as well as an attacking option.
RODRI: 7
What more can be said about Man City’s former Ballon d’Or winner? He controlled the midfield and frustrated his opponents, so much so Leandro Parades elbowed him in the back and was deservedly booked.
FABIAN RUIZ: 6
Has grown into one of the most versatile midfielders in football. Having won the Champions League at PSG, this was another big evening in his career but had a quiet game. Subbed off for Pedri.
DANI OLMO: 6
Took a hefty early challenge from Alexis Mac Allister, who seems to turn into rent-a-thug in a blue and white shirt. Olmo tried to be creative but was given a constant kicking.
ALEX BAENA: 5
It’s not easy to impress when your team-mates are usually looking for Lamine Yamal on the other flank and Baena struggled to get into the game here. Replaced by the far more effective Williams.
LAMINE YAMAL: 6
Was perhaps expected to make his mark on this World Cup more than he has. Showed flashes of his genius and had a free-kick well saved by Martinez.
Lionel Messi gave a glimpse of his talent Credit: Reuters
MIKEL OYARZABAL: 5
Considering he is the go-to striker for one of the world’s best international teams he flies under the radar. Had one shot easily saved and took a nasty whack from Lisandro Martinez before being subbed.
SUBSTITUTES:
Ferran Torres for Oyarzabal (62mins) 6
Spain needed a poacher to break the deadlock and Torres provided.
Pedri for Fabian Ruiz (62mins) 5
Nico Williams for Baena (75mins) 7
Was the star man. Attacking threat when he came on. Great nod back for the winner.
Nico Williams made a serious impact off the bench Credit: Getty
Mikel Merino for Olmo (75mins) 5
Eric Garcia for Laporte (99mins) 5
Martin Zubimendi for Rodri (99mins) 5
ARGENTINA
EMILIANO MARTINEZ: 7
Excellent late save from Yamal in normal time before another stunner kept out Williams as he kept Argentina in it. Most of the other Spain shots were straight at him. Fumbled an Olmo shot on the hour and flapped at a corner. Organised his back line well.
GONZALO MONTIEL: 5
Bizarre mix of charging forward to occupy a right-wing position on the rare occasion Argentina had the ball, and charging back to try and get to Cucurella when they lost it. Good battle with Baena though. Subbed before the hour.
CRISTIAN ROMERO: 7
By far Argentina’s best player, on and off the ball. Coped with the Spain runners, made tackles and still found the energy to bark at anyone who came near him. Incredibly, the calm head in the backline this time until being subbed with injury.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 3
Very nervous start, almost poked into his own net from a Yamal shot and twice passed the ball out of play under no pressure. Injured himself with a poorly-timed tackle on Ruiz and got subbed. Saved from himself, really.
NICO TAGLIAFICO: 6
Good battle with Yamal, but struggled with his pace, fouling him on the halfway line the main tactic. Lucky to escape giving the ball away twice after the half-time snooze fest but stuck to his task well.
NICOLAS GONZALEZ: 3
Hooked at half-time after having little impact. One half decent dribble on the left but spent most of his time chasing Porro back to his own goal.
ENZO FERNANDEZ: 5
Tireless effort and was run ragged by the Spanish. Little impact going forward, but none of the Argentines did. Was finally booked for backchat on 80 minutes and then was late on Cubarsi for a second yellow.
Enzo Fernandez saw red as the showdown headed for extra-time Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER: 6
Made a real impact… on Olmo’s legs, with two crunching first half tackles that somehow didn’t see a card. Worked incredibly hard to stay with the Spanish runners in midfield and tried, without much joy, to get them going in attack. Finally booked in extra-time.
RODRIGO DE PAUL: 5
Messi’s minder was more like Montiel’s minder in this one, spending half of his time doubling up going back to help his defence, with Cucurella providing plenty of problems. Industrious as ever.
JULIAN ALVAREZ: 4
More anonymous than Lionel Messi, if that was possible, with only eight touches in the first half. Crowded out most of the time in the second. Lots of runs, not many touches. Pressed so hard that most of the time Spain’s defenders just ran past him.
LIONEL MESSI: 4
The little magician did a disappearing act for most of the game as Argentina could not get him the ball. The usual classy touches but most of them to get his team out of their own half.
SUBSTITUTES:
Nicolas Otamendi for Martinez (44 mins) 5
Absolute bruiser and took on Rodri at set-pieces. Held his line and kept Argentina battling. Stayed strong and clung onto runners, literally. Dived to get Spain’s goal disallowed in extra-time.
Leandro Paredes for Gonzalez (46 mins) 3
Booked for his first involvement – a barge off the ball on Rodri. Similar to what he did most of the game against England. Another lunge on Porro later before fouling Torres. Was eventually sent off during a mass brawl after the final whistle.
WORLD CUP FINAL LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM SPAIN VS ARGENTINA
Nahuel Molina for Montiel (58 mins) 6
Secured the right-side when he came on and the Baena-Cucurella attacks subsided afterwards.
Facundo Medina for Romero (70 mins) 6
Replaced Romero on 70 minutes, but played left centre-back. Did a good job against Torres with Argentina’s backs to the wall. Some big, fair tackles.
Giuliano Simeone for De Paul (70 mins) 6
Nasty foul on Cucurella late on, having replaced De Paul. Did his defensive work against the Spain left-back.
Marcos Senesi for Alvarez (102 mins) 4
On for Alvarez to try and play for penalties. Couldn’t block Torres’ shot.
