Spain vs Argentina: Torres wins it in extra time

Earlier this week we reported that Spain and Argentina were headed into the final with very different strengths. Today the picture was simpler. Ferran Torres settled it in the 106th minute, and Spain's 1-0 win in Spain vs Argentina came from the same pressure that had been building all night.

Spain's shot volume told the story

Spain finished with 20 shots to Argentina's 2, which is a lopsided final by any standard. The better chance count was not built on one burst either, because Spain kept forcing the issue through normal time and then into extra time. Sky Sports summed it up neatly: "It was no less than Spain deserved either, having been the far better team on the night."

The other moment that mattered before the winner was Nico Williams' ruled-out effort, after a foul by M. Martinez on Nicolas Otamendi. Spain were already carrying the play, and that chance only underlined how much of the final was being spent in Argentina's half.

Fernández's dismissal left Argentina exposed

Argentina stayed in the game for long spells, helped by Emiliano Martínez's saves, but their shape came under far more strain once Enzo Fernández picked up a reckless second yellow at the end of normal time. Sky Sports described the turning point this way: "Argentina did keep their shape well as Spain applied consistent pressure - especially after Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a reckless second yellow at the end of normal time - and relied on Martinez to make a string of saves."

There is a small timing wrinkle in the reporting, because the match events list Fernández's red at 120+6, while the second yellow itself came at the end of normal time. Either way, the effect was the same, Spain had the ball, the territory and the cleaner chances when the game opened up in extra time.

Torres then finished the job in the 106th minute, a decisive touch that turned control into a title. Luis de la Fuente's side did not need a fluky break or a wild finish to get there, they just kept the pressure on until Argentina broke.