And when it was over, Spain walked off with the trophy. Messi simply walked off in tears.
Spain are back atop the soccer world for a second time, after Ferran Torres' first goal of this year's World Cup — unquestionably the goal of his life — gave his country a 1-0 win over now-dethroned champion Argentina in the final on Sunday (Monday AEST).
"It was a goal scored by 47 million people," Torres said, referring to Spain's population.
Maybe not by them, but certainly for them.
The goal came with Argentina down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in regulation following a reckless tackle. Tempers flared then, and flared again after the final whistle with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and players from both sides engaging in what appeared to be some pushing and shoving.
In the end, Spain denied Messi a second successive title in what he has indicated was his final World Cup match. Torres, a second-half substitute, pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar in the 106th minute.
From there, the airtight defense that dominated opponents throughout the tournament came through one final time.
Spain, who also won the title in 2010, allowed only one goal in eight matches in this World Cup run, setting a record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.
"I feel pride, to be honest," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who at 65 is now the oldest man to lead a team to a World Cup title. "Accompanying them on this journey is an honour."
This title, combined with the Women's World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men's and women's titles simultaneously.
The score indicates this match was close, but only one team was in command.
Spain took the game's first 20 shots on goal before Argentina got their first attempt off in the second half of extra time. Spain took nine of the game's first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champions a shot at going back-to-back.
"Dibu was nothing short of exceptional," de la Fuente said, referring to Argentina's keeper by his nickname.
Spain are now unbeaten in their last 38 matches — 29 wins, nine draws — and are the outright holder of the longest such streak by any European men's team ever. Italy went 37 matches (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 through September 2021, before Spain ended that streak.
And for the last two-plus years, nobody has beaten Spain. Not even Messi. An Argentina team that were the kings of the late-game rally in this tournament had no answer this time.
"We lost the game, and we accept that," Scaloni said. "That doesn't mean that we will forget everything we've done so far, so I'd like to thank my people, my players and the country. I can tell them that we played our hearts out."
It was the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the US, Canada and Mexico. Because there were more matches than any previous World Cup, it was no surprise that there were more goals than all other editions — more than 300, nearly three per match.
Except, of course, when Spain were involved. Spain's plan was simple and flawless: Hold the ball as much as possible, denying opponents any hint of chances.
It worked, all the way to the end.
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