The Spanish coronation came after a match that was dominated by “La Roja” for long periods, while the Argentine national team was content with defending and relying on the steadfastness of its goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, which was the most prominent reason for the score remaining scoreless until the end of regular time.
The match started with an early Argentine attempt through Lionel Messi in the fourth minute, but goalkeeper Unai Simon came out at the right time and removed the danger. Spain responded quickly with a shot from Lamine Jamal, which Martinez blocked in the fifth minute.
As time passed, the Spanish national team imposed its rhythm on the match, controlling the ball and putting pressure on the Argentine defense, at a time when Messi seemed isolated from dangerous areas, after Spain succeeded in reducing the ball’s access to him.
In the first half, the Spanish advantage was clearly evident in terms of possession and attempts. Fabian Ruiz shot a ball that turned into a corner, then Lamine Yamal tried more than once to make the difference with his passes and movements. In the 38th minute, the Spaniards called for a penalty kick due to a handball inside the area, but the referee decided to continue playing.
Martinez shone again in front of a powerful shot from Orizabal, before the Argentine national team was forced to make a substitution with Nicolas Otamendi replacing Lisandro Martinez due to injury. The first half ended in a goalless draw, despite clear Spanish control.
In the second half, Spain continued to press. Baena hit a powerful shot in the 46th minute, then the atmosphere became tense between the players in the 50th minute, and the referee showed a yellow card in Paredes’ face.
After that, Spain increased its offensive pressure, especially after the entry of Pedri and Ferran Torres in the 61st minute. Dani Olmo threatened the Argentine goal with a strong shot that Martinez narrowly blocked, before the Argentine goalkeeper continued his brilliance in the face of successive attempts, including a dangerous header and two shots from Pedri and Cobarci.
Argentina remained helpless offensively, as it did not succeed in creating a real threat to Unai Simón’s goal, while Spain continued to press without finding a way to the net during regular time.
In stoppage time, Argentina suffered a severe blow after the referee showed the red card to Enzo Fernandez, following a strong intervention on Coparsi, so Argentina went into extra time with ten players.
In the first extra period, Nico Williams scored a goal for Spain in the 96th minute, but the referee canceled it due to a violation by Michael Merino on Otamendi. The Spanish attempts continued, and Merino almost scored with a dangerous header that passed the goal.
With the start of the second extra period, the decision came. In the 106th minute, Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match with a powerful shot into the roof of the Argentine goal, after a header from Nico Williams.
Spain tried to increase the score, and Torres scored another goal in the 112th minute, but the referee canceled it due to offside. On the other hand, the Argentine team was unable to return, after being exhausted by the numerical shortage and the continuous Spanish pressure.
The match ended with Spain winning 1-0, winning the world title after a final in which it imposed its personality and control, while Argentina lost the title after a difficult night in which it suffered offensively, despite the great performance of its goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.
