Donald Trump lingers on Spain's World Cup final podium after extra-time win

Earlier this week, we reported that Spain and Argentina would meet in the World Cup final as a control-versus-output contest. The football did decide it, with Spain winning 1-0 after extra-time at MetLife Stadium, and Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute. The part people talked about most, though, was Donald Trump on the podium, not the goal.

Trump stays on the stage

Trump was supposed to present the trophy and leave. Reece James said: "They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage... but he wanted to stay." In the end he lingered on the edge of the platform before being ushered along gently by a laughing Gianni Infantino.

The ceremony itself was always going to be part of the show. Infantino said: "That's always been the plan. That's how it's always been done in the past – the president of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA president." Even so, the boos that greeted Trump made the moment feel more awkward than routine, and the optics were hard to miss.

Trump also had not been to a single match before the final. That detail made the podium appearance stand out even more, because his only real turn in the tournament spotlight came at the very end.

The football was still there

There was a game under all of it. Spain needed extra-time to finish off Argentina, and Rodri was the clear control point in midfield. He played 99 minutes, completed 106 passes, won 4 tackles and came out on top in 8 of his 10 duels.

Torres' goal came in the 106th minute and settled a final that had already been stretched by a 27-minute half-time interval and a long build-up around the ceremony. Wayne Rooney did not hide his view of that side of the event either, saying: "I thought it was crap. I thought the performances were bad. The timings were bad. Just let us play football."

The final will be remembered for Spain's win, but the image that travelled fastest was Trump still on the stage as Infantino guided him off. Spain's trophy lift happened, but it was not the only thing anyone saw at MetLife Stadium.