Torres, who came off the bench, produced the decisive moment in the 106th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area before firing a left-footed shot beneath the crossbar to hand Spain their second World Cup crown, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.
The victory crowned a dominant campaign for Luis de la Fuente’s side, which conceded just one goal in eight matches, setting a World Cup record for the fewest goals allowed by a champion. Spain also became the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles following the women’s triumph in 2023.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Spain controlled the final from start to finish.
The European champions monopolised possession, registered the game’s opening 20 shots and forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into a series of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest. Argentina failed to register a shot until the second half of extra time as Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to threaten Spain’s organised defence.
Martínez’s heroics repeatedly frustrated Spain, but there was little he could do when Torres reacted quickest to a bouncing ball inside the area to finally break the deadlock.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said after the match, referring to Spain’s population.
For Messi, the defeat marked a painful conclusion to what could be his World Cup career.
The 39-year-old, who guided Argentina to the 2022 title, was left in tears after receiving his runners-up medal.
Argentina’s hopes were further dented in stoppage time of the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, forcing the defending champions to play the remainder of the contest with 10 men.
Spain’s victory also saw head coach Luis de la Fuente, aged 65, become the oldest coach to win the FIFA World Cup.
“We are world champions,” de la Fuente said. “It was together we reached this stage.”
The final concluded the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The expanded tournament produced more than 300 goals, although Spain’s disciplined defensive displays ensured they conceded just once on their way to lifting football’s biggest prize.
Individual honours also reflected Spain’s impressive tournament. Midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player, while goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove. France’s Kylian Mbappé finished as the Golden Boot winner with 10 goals, and Spain defender Pau Cubarsí received the Best Young Player award.
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