Ferran Torres wrote his name into Spanish football history after scoring in the 106th minute of the World Cup final to break the hearts of Argentina and Lionel Messi.
The substitute, who smashed his finish into the roof of the net, reclaimed deserved glory for La Roja for the first time since 2010 after their opponents managed just two shots across the entirety of the match.
Spain’s elegance and discipline was contrasted with the brutish skulduggery of Argentina, who saw Enzo Fernandez sent off in the 93rd minute. His midfield counterpart, Leandro Paredes, was also shown his marching orders after a violent clash after full-time.
Daily Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was at the MetLife Stadium to bring you our player ratings.
Spain have won the World Cup after a deserved 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday night
It was a devastating end for Lionel Messi though who has likely played his last World Cup game
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Unai Simon – 6
Twice off his line in a flash to clear after balls were dropped in behind for Messi and Alvarez to chase. But there was not a save to make.
Pedro Porro – 6
Hardly troubled in defence so took that opportunity to join attack, as he likes to. Heavily involved, – more than 120 touches – but crosses rarely found intended target.
Pau Cubarsi – 8
Tried to get his team going with forward passes from deep, including one to get Yamal away. Was super cool in defence, too. He’s a star.
Aymeric Laporte – 7
Rarely flustered at the back so subdued was Messi and thought he’d won it with late header plucked on goal-line by Martinez.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Typically snappy in his challenges and, like Porro, poured forward when realising how passive Argentina were. Nearly scored opener with low drill wide.
Rodri – 7
Imperious early on and everything went through him. He looked like the grown-up in midfield battle. That influence faded and he could not find the pass to break stubborn Argentina.
Rodri dictated the game for Spain in midfield and ended up winning Player of the Tournament
Pau Cubarsi was brilliant in defence and helped start Spain’s attacks with his superb passing
Fabian Ruiz – 6
A threat amid otherwise mundane first half, but way below best. Came into it more after break and dribble led to good chance for Torres. Much like whole tournament, not the final we’d hoped for from him.
Lamine Yamal – 7
A threat amid otherwise mundane first half, but still below best. Came into it more after break and dribble led to good chance for Torres. Much like whole tournament, not really the final we’d hoped for from him, but played his part.
Dani Olmo – 6
Like many of Spain’s other attacking starters he just could not produce that moment of inspiration. Not as peripheral as the others, but no real impact.
Alex Baena – 4
No end product from left wing and was a surprise he stayed on until 75th minute. A big chance to impress but Atletico Madrid man did not take it.
Mikel Oyarzabal – 5
A star of the tournament but this was a game to forget on the biggest occasion. One shot on target and one touch in area before making way just after hour.
Mikel Oyarzabal has been one of the stars of the tournament but didn’t enjoy his best game
Lamine Yamal was a threat throughout the match but the wonderkid was still below his best
Substitutes
Ferran Torres (on for Oyarzabal 62) – 8
Pedri (on for Fabian Ruiz 62) – 7
Mikel Merino (on for Olmo 75) – 6
Nico Williams (on for Baena 75) – 9
Martin Zubimendi (on for Rodri 99) – 6
Eric Garcia (on for Laporte 99) – 6
Manager: Luis de la Fuente – 8
Has now delivered the World Cup and European Championship. They made hard work of this and should have been good enough to win in normal time, but the introduction of Williams and Torres was the inspiration Spain needed.
Ferran Torres came off the bench to score Spain’s winner and write himself into Spain’s history
Argentina (4-4-2)
Emiliano Martinez – 8
Improvised early on to deny Yamal and that was the first of 11 saves. Kept his team in the game and had no chance with winner. Easily Argentina’s best.
Gonzalo Montiel – 6
Saved likely goal when stealing from toe of Cucurella in penalty area after half-time, but that was his last involvement. Had been solid before that.
Cristian Romero – 6
Never far from the action, as is his way, and got the better of Oyarzabal in duel with Spain’s five-goal striker. Seemed to tire after exertions of semi versus England.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Injury nightmare just before half-time when hurting his thigh as he brought down Rodri. Long balls had been wasteful to that point.
Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury nightmare and was forced off before half-time
Emiliano Martinez kept his team in the game and ended up making 11 saves in total
Nicolas Tagliafico – 7
Tasked with keeping Yamal quiet and, one or two flashes from the Spain winger apart, it was a job he did well. Emerges with credit.
Rodrigo De Paul – 5
His loose pass caused team-mate Lisandro to foul Rodri at expense of booking and injury. Was diligent in defensive work but not good enough on the ball.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
Shocking first half. Repeatedly found red with stray passes and was lucky to escape yellow for lunge on Olmo. Recovered to put in decent shift but quality still lacking.
Enzo Fernandez – 3
Red card shame on back of untidy display. He set the tone against England but was too passive here, except when committing the two second-half fouls that brought deserved yellows.
Nico Gonzalez – 3
Anonymous and invariably lost the ball when he did get it. Was no surprise to see him hooked at the break after completing only five passes.
Lionel Messi – 5
One touch first 15 minutes and that was from kick off. Also pulled out of 50-50 with Simon. Justin Bieber got closer to the penalty area in normal time. Belatedly came to life in final moments and was dangerous. All too late, though.
Lionel Messi was left heartbroken after enduring a quiet game as he struggled to get involved
Enzo Fernandez is the sixth player to be sent off during a World Cup final and let his side down
Julian Alvarez – 4
Tried to do the running while Messi walked but had no service and left the field after 102 minutes without a shot. You could sense his frustration.
Substitutes
Nicolas Otamendi (on for L Martinez 45) 6
Leandro Paredes (on for Gonzalez 46) 4
Nahuel Molina (on for Montiel 58) 5
Giuliano Simeone (on for De Paul 70) 5
Facundo Medina (on for Romero 70) 5
Marcos Senesi (on for Alvarez 102) 5
Manager: Lionel Scaloni – 4
Didn’t send out his team with same snarliness as against England and, come the end, they had not even found the target over 120 minutes. A weak defence of their title.
Referee: Slavko Vincic – 5
