Late Torres strike fires Spain to World Cup title

Substitute Ferran Torres scored in extra time as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup final on Sunday, reported Xinhua.

Torres, a 62nd-minute replacement for Mikel Oyarzabal, put Spain ahead in the 106th minute, finishing a swift attacking move with a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

Argentina was forced to play all of extra time with only 10 men following Enzo Fernandez's dismissal for an ugly challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

The result gave Spain its second World Cup title and first since 2010. Argentina, which had been aiming to become the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1962, saved its worst performance of the tournament for the final, having been unbeaten until Sunday.

Playing in his sixth and likely last World Cup, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was limited to only a few dangerous moments late in the game as Spain gave him little room to operate.

Spain took the initiative early, controlling possession and looking more incisive when going forward. Lamine Yamal forced a block from Emiliano Martinez after being released by Dani Olmo and the Argentine goalkeeper again intervened shortly after to deny Oyarzabal.

Argentina rarely forayed inside its final third as Messi and Julian Alvarez struggled for opportunities and space. Marc Cucurella posed a constant threat on Spain's left flank and fired a long-range effort narrowly wide just before halftime.

Argentina continued to labor after the interval. Moments after the restart, Rodrigo De Paul lost possession in midfield and Alex Baena surged forward only to see his deflected shot saved by Martinez.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper then spilled a chance from Olmo before gathering a tame Torres header from the resultant corner.

Spain moved the ball with greater authority as the game progressed. Substitute Pedri shot straight at Martinez when he had time and space to do better and Facundo Medina did well to punt the ball out of danger after Yamal's run and cross.

Argentina's defense was under siege and it could thank Martinez for not conceding late in normal time. He was again on hand to palm away Cubarsi's dipping attempt before turning Yamal's free-kick around the post.

Fernandez was dismissed in the third minute of stoppage time for clipping Cubarsi as the Barcelona defender stormed forward on the counterattack, earning him a second booking.

Spain had the better chances early in extra-time but Martinez kept his team in the game with a fingertip save from Nico Williams' header.

The deadlock was finally broken when Nico Williams met Pedro Porro's cross at the back post, heading the ball into the path of Torres who swept home a powerful finish to leave Martinez with no chance.

Giuliano Simeone had a chance to equalize but sent a shot over the bar following a corner as Spain held on to seal the title.

Torres says fate favored Spain in WC final

Substitute Ferran Torres said destiny was written for Spain to win the World Cup after his extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in Sunday's final.

Torres, who replaced Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute, swept home Nico Williams' knockdown in the 106th minute to hand Spain its second World Cup title and first since 2010.

"I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people, not just those of us that are here," said Torres, who hadn't scored in the tournament before Sunday.

"Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today but we tried to be as close as possible to them."

The Barcelona forward admitted facing Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final had been a daunting prospect, but said Spain never doubted its approach.

"Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team you do get worried but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again," he said.

Torres had come under scrutiny during the tournament before his match-winning intervention on Sunday.

"It was a huge relief [to score]," he said. "I've been criticized throughout the whole tournament but as I said before destiny was written," he added.

Scaloni proud despite Messi era ending in defeat

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni admitted that Spain deserved to win the World Cup, saying his team had been outplayed in Sunday's final, reported Xinhua.

The defending champion had scored late goals to win each of its four previous knockout games but was unable to muster another dramatic escape at New York New Jersey Stadium.

"I feel sad," Scaloni said after the match. "One could say many things about how we got here, but it's not worth it. I just want to give my endless thanks to these players who once again took us to the final.

"They [Spain] were better, that's true, but I will have tremendous memories of what my players achieved. We are great in victory and must be so in defeat as well. Tonight, we show that we know how to lose. We lost, and we accept it.

"If they give everything the way they did today, it sets a great example for the people and for our country. You have to pick yourself up again. When you leave everything like that, it's very hard to find fault with anything."

Spain controlled possession and barely allowed Argentina into its attacking third. But despite its dominance, the reigning European champion didn't take the lead until substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute.

The Albiceleste's cause was made more difficult by the dismissal of Enzo Fernandez for a second yellow card at the end of normal time.

Scaloni said he had not spoken to captain Lionel Messi about his future. The 39-year-old scored eight goals in the tournament but struggled to assert his usual influence in the final as Spain's midfield starved him of supply.

"He's 39 years old now," Scaloni said. "It was crystal clear for me that he was going to play up until he decided not to.

"I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he's achieved because he's the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch. I have no doubt about this, and what he did during this World Cup was incredible. But also what he did before this."

Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions when asked about his own future.

"I will talk to the president [of the football federation]," said the 48-year-old. "I believe it's only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through. I never thought I would get to this place and it's wonderful.

"In order to continue, you need a great deal of things, resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again - that is very difficult."