Spain suffocates Lionel Messi and Argentina, wins World Cup on Ferran Torres' extra-time winner

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Shadows had crept across MetLife Stadium as a tedious World Cup final dominated by Spain at an absurd clip lurched into extra time without a breakthrough Sunday.

Lionel Messi and Argentina had no business clinging to hope of a second consecutive championship after failing to create a shot and or even link a few passes.

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Spain’s reign hadn’t translated into a goal, however, and with each of Emi Martínez’s record number of saves for Argentina, the cruelty of a shootout lurked on the horizon.

Then came the moment Spain had waited for all afternoon — and, frankly, for 16 years since its last global title. Thirty-nine seconds into the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres thumped in an 8-yard shot and La Roja finally shattered 10-man Argentina’s spirit to claim a 1-0 victory.

The outcome soured the ostensible end of Messi’s World Cup career. With his team chasing Spaniards all day, Messi rarely touched the ball and didn’t have much influence at the end of a tournament in which the 39-year-old forward was better than ever.

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A wildly entertaining tournament that had riveted North America over five weeks was reduced to a grueling test of endurance and wills.

But in the 106th minute, Pedro Porro lifted the ball to the back post. Nico Williams beat Nahuel Molina to the header. Martínez had committed to the ball as well, so when Williams headed the ball back, the goalkeeper was out of position for Torres’ rasping one-timer.

The reigning European champions stretched their unbeaten run to 38 matches over more than two years and captured their first World Cup since Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands delivered Spain’s maiden title in 2010.

In its seventh final, Argentina lost for the fourth time. It was attempting to become the first repeat winner since Brazil in 1962.

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After scoring 19 goals in seven matches, La Albiceleste managed just two shots, neither of which was on target, and touched the ball just eight times in the penalty area. Spain had 20 shots, 12 on target and 31 touches in the box.

The backdrop was hardly spectacular: a soulless, suburban NFL stadium without any distinctive characteristics and nothing but gray seats. But the colors and sounds of soccer — and of a World Cup — brought the bland beast to life: Spain’s reds and yellows, Argentina’s sky blues and whites, and a tapestry of hues representing many countries that fell short: Colombian, Brazilian, Mexican, U.S. and French, among others.

The Argentines serenaded their heroes, a chorus of thousands that has followed La Albiceleste throughout the tournament; Sunday was no different. Just as they were omnipresent in every other city Argentina visited, they descended on — and commandeered — Times Square on Saturday.

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Spain entered as a slight favorite, but with eight starters from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina arrived full of comfort and confidence.

Spain’s pressure forced the issue in the opening stage. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal had the ball in dangerous positions but didn’t test Martínez. Hard tackles set a rough tone and kept referee Slavko Vincic on his toes.

The hydration break, for both the players and the dry pitch under an unobstructed sun, brought opportunity for the coaches to reconsider matters.

The 10-goal third-place match Saturday was for entertainment lovers; the final was for deep thinkers. Spain strangled Argentina’s promise and, through movement and interaction, began wearing down the opponent. Still, clear scoring chances were scarce.

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Just before the half, Argentina lost center back Lisandro Martínez to injury and turned to veteran Nicolas Otamendi. The half ended with a whimper.

After 19 goals in seven matches, Argentina huffed into the locker room with no shots, no corner kicks, no touches in the penalty area and 35 percent of possession.

After an extended halftime show highlighted by music and Muppets, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni turned back to his bench, replacing midfielder Nico González with Leandro Paredes, whose first touch was a turnover.

Scaloni’s patience ran thin. His third substitution was a change at right back, Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel, the shootout hero of the 2022 World Cup final.

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Now it was Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s turn with two changes in the 62nd minute, including the removal of top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal.

To Argentina‘s delight, the match turned increasingly deliberate and ornery. Spain’s corner kick total swelled.

Yamal beat two defenders and saved the ball from crossing the end line before crossing to sub Ferran Torres for a close-range header directly at Martínez.

Substitutions continued by both coaches, who sought solutions to a match that refused to budge.

The deeper the game went without a goal, the better the Argentines felt about their chances. They had proved themselves again and again in the late stages of tight matches.

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While Spain’s pressure did not recede, attempts on goal lacked power and imagination and Martínez’s degree of difficulty was low. By stoppage time, he had broken the championship-game record of eight saves. (He finished with 11.)

The match took a turn in stoppage time when Enzo Martínez’s late challenge sent Spain’s Pau Cubarsí twisting and flying into the air before crashing to the turf, resulting in his second yellow card and a red-card ejection.

Moments later, Yamal was in the spotlight, standing over a free kick some 25 yards from glory. The teenager lifted the ball over the wall with a swerve, but Emi Martínez read it all the way and pushed it aside with two hands.

Extra time beckoned.

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Somehow, Argentina was still alive, despite no shots and one corner kick through 90 minutes.

Already under duress, Argentina had to survive another 30 minutes with 10 men. Its chances hung by a thread.

In the 93rd minute, Martínez made another save, flashing to his right in spectacular fashion to tip Williams’ glancing header from close range.

Moments later, Williams took advantage of a scramble to beat Martínez to the ball and put it into the net, but Mikel Merino‘s foul nullified the apparent goal.

This whole time, Messi was a ghost. No Argentine possession meant no opportunities for the superstar to work his magic.

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Merino could have broken the tie, but his close-ranger glancing header sailed wide. Then came the breakthrough.

In the dying moments, Argentina had multiple chances to draw even but shot off-target.

The final whistle brought Spanish elation, Argentine dejection and, fitting for the day, a couple of scuffles.

It was far from a work of art, but the World Cup had a worthy champion.