Spain defeated Argentina to win the World Cup for the second time in history.
2 min read
The final was a tough and frustrating contest with many stoppages.
President Donald Trump was present, and there was a 27-minute break at half-time, during which Madonna and Justin Bieber performed.
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Spain’s Pau Cubarsi.
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal after 106 minutes with a close-range strike.
Spain deservedly won a disappointing final as Torres’ goal broke Argentina’s strong resistance.
The European champions created the best chances, while Argentina mostly used spoiling tactics.
Fernandez was sent off just before extra-time.
Torres was the hero when he headed in a cross from substitute Nico Williams and then scored with a powerful shot against Argentina’s keeper, Emiliano Martinez, after 106 minutes.
The game didn’t meet expectations; it became a battle of stamina, with little smooth play.
Away from the action, this was a World Cup full of big names and showbiz.
President Donald Trump arrived in New Jersey in a helicopter before the match.
Madonna and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, making the break longer than usual.
The game was slow and full of interruptions, with no real flow.
Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal both forced saves from Martinez in the first half.
Spain criticized the referee, Slavko Vincic, for being too lenient, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was late on Dani Olmo.
The first yellow card came after 40 minutes when Lisandro Martinez fouled Oyarzabal, though Martinez left the field injured shortly after.
The contest turned chaotic in stoppage time when Fernandez, already booked, got a second yellow card for a rough challenge on Cubarsi.
Martinez was a hero for Argentina, saving a last-minute free-kick from Yamal and making another crucial stop from Williams’ header.
Williams also had a goal disallowed for a foul by substitute Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina had beaten Egypt and England in the knockout rounds, but they couldn’t repeat that success in the final.
Spain won the men’s World Cup for the second time.
Author: BBC
