It was not the thrilling final of four years ago, or even the carefree goal-fest of the previous evening but Spain still deserve enormous credit for dethroning Argentina in one of the more one-sided World Cup finals in memory. This was utter domination.
Ferran Torres scored the winner from the twentieth shot of the match – and every single one of them came from Spain. They made 400 more passes, playing the game in Argentina’s half long before a frustrated Enzo Fernandez left his team down to 10 men.
While it had been billed as Lionel Messi’s grand exit, his glorious swansong, the legendary No 10 may as well have been watching the game from the stands. He was a passenger until Argentina belatedly tried and failed to conjure an undeserved equaliser.
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Spanish fans go wild as they claim their second World Cup trophy over Argentina
They were passed off the pitch. Spain had shown they were the best side at this World Cup when vanquishing France in the semi-final. In seeing off Argentina and keeping another clean sheet, their control of the opposition underlined what sets them apart.
Admittedly, the goalless draw with Cape Verde in their opener was an inauspicious start. But even that performance, for which neither Lamine Yamal nor Nico Williams were fit to start, showed the hallmarks of the passing game that proved incomparable.
Spain had 74 per cent of the possession in that one. Luis de la Fuente’s team had more possession in all eight of their matches at this World Cup. Keeping the ball proved an incredibly effective defensive weapon. They only conceded one goal all tournament.
Rodri provides much of the control in midfield, Aymeric Laporte playing a key role behind him in defence. But while Rodri was named player of the tournament, just as he had been at Euro 2024, Spain’s success cannot be explained by any one individual.
Rodri was named the tournament’s best player
“The Spain manager took off Laporte and Rodri at 0-0,” said Sky Sports’ Gary Neville on ITV after the game. “I think that is incredible. You talk about bravery in substitutions in matches. They are probably Spain’s two most influential players in those clean sheets.”
But De la Fuente has depth at his disposal. On came Eric Garcia to join his Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi, winner of the young player award. Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi was introduced. No need for David Raya as Unai Simon took the Golden Glove.
Incredibly, Simon made fewer saves across the entire World Cup than Emi Martinez made in the final. France captain Kylian Mbappe was involved in as many goals on his own as Spain scored in total.
It is ironic that in a tournament lit up by goals from the game’s superstars, the World Cup’s individual awards all ended up going to Spain players who did not score once between them.
Spain’s Pau Cubarsi poses with the trophy for young player of the tournament
Neville added: “What they have is the best team, the best collective. And also the best system of play. That comes out most in international football when you are playing every four days in 35 degree heat. Technically and tactically, they are outstanding.
“Possession has won this World Cup.”
What a testament that is to Spanish football and their commitment to their playing style. It has not been sunshine and rainbows since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010. The win over Austria was their first World Cup knockout victory in 16 years.
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Watch fan reaction in both Argentina and Spain as Ferran Torres scored what proved to be the extra-time winner for Spain in the World Cup final
But Spain never wavered from their way of playing, De la Fuente’s appointment itself evidence that they still believed that this Spanish style had to be part of the solution rather than the problem. A new generation has emerged with the same old principles.
Now, this second World Cup win sits alongside that 2010 triumph and the three European Championships lifted over the past 18 years, all of that glory serving as a testimony to Spanish football. Another victory for positional play, for the passing game.
“Everybody has been fascinated by that way of football and it has come again at a moment when people were thinking that we might be going more direct, that we might be trying to change the style,” added Neville. “But the Spanish way has won.”
Spain’s match-winner Ferran Torres celebrates with the World Cup
It was certainly too much for Argentina. Speaking afterwards, Mikel Merino pointed to Spain’s togetherness as their superpower but plenty of other teams, the final opponents included, had that quality in spades. What Spain had was something even more important.
“We knew that we were the better team in terms of football,” added Merino. After six weeks and a total of 104 matches at the biggest World Cup ever, it was impossible to disagree with that verdict. The best team won. And that team was Spain.
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