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Spain won their second FIFA World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored late in extra time to break Argentina’s resistance in a dramatic finish. Lionel MessiThe 10-man squad failed to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup crown.Spain finally got the breakthrough after a tense and dramatic contest when Torres scored in the 106th minute to give La Roja a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina and deny Messi another World Cup fairytale.After 105 minutes of relentless pressure, missed opportunities and heroic Argentina resistance, Torres struck the decisive blow just 37 seconds into the second overtime.The goal came with a brilliant team move. Pedro Porro sent a deep cross into the penalty area, Nico Williams headed the ball back into the dangerous area, and Torres arrived late and hammered the finish into the roof of the net.Spanish celebrations erupted as Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title finally ended.The goal was a reward for Spain’s dominance throughout the competition. La Roja controlled possession, created most of the chances and repeatedly tested Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who kept his team alive with a record-breaking performance in the final.Argentina, reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez’s red card late in regular time, were left chasing a game outnumbered and with little attacking threat.
Messi’s last World Cup ended in heartbreak as Argentina struggled with 10 men
The final appeared destined for penalties after both teams failed to settle the score in 90 minutes and the first half of extra time.Spain even saw a goal disallowed earlier in extra time when Nico Williams hit the net, but the referee ruled that Mikel Merino had fouled Nicolas Otamendi before the end.However, Argentina’s resistance suffered a major blow before extra time when Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a late tackle on Pau Cubarsi.The midfielder, who scored the equalizer for Argentina in their semi-final win over England, protested the decision but referee Slavko Vinčić did not hesitate.With 10 players on the field, Argentina were forced to take a defensive approach. Coach Lionel Scaloni even replaced Julian Alvarez with defender Marcos Senesi as Spain continued to push forward.The defeat ended Argentina’s dream of a fourth World Cup title and denied Messi the chance to lift the trophy for a second consecutive tournament.Messi, playing in what was expected to be his final World Cup appearance, struggled to influence the game as Spain’s midfield and defense successfully contained the Argentine superstar.The defeat also ended Argentina’s remarkable run as reigning champions following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 final in Qatar.Spain, meanwhile, ended a golden era of resurgence by securing their second World Cup title after their famous triumph in 2010 in South Africa.The win also capped off a remarkable tournament for teenage sensation Lamina Yamal, who became the first player to appear in both the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup finals as a teenager.
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