Spain vs Argentina World Cup final: Rodri and Torres settle it in extra time

Earlier this week we reported how Spain and Argentina were shaping up as a control-versus-output final. The match finished exactly that way in the sense that Spain's best individual work came from Rodri and Ferran Torres, while the decisive goal arrived only in extra time. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win their second World Cup.

Rodri set the pace

Rodri's 8.2 rating was Spain's best outfield mark in the final, which fits the way they kept the game on their terms for long stretches. Lamine Yamal also posted a 7.3 and completed five successful dribbles, while Pau Cubarsí Paredes matched him on 7.3 as Spain built from the back and kept their shape.

The goal came late enough to suit a game that had stayed tight for 105 minutes. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, with Nico Williams providing the assist. Spain had already seen Williams have a goal ruled out in the first half of extra time after a foul on Nicolás Otamendi, but the second chance stood and decided the final.

Argentina ran out of answers

The other side of the game was M. Martinez, who made 11 saves to keep Argentina alive for as long as he could. Leandro Paredes was then sent off in the 120th minute for violent conduct, a miserable end to a final that had already slipped from their hands.

The report on the night said Spain "dominated the game virtually from start to finish", and the scoreline backs that up without needing much decoration. [Luis de la Fuente] stayed with a side that controlled the rhythm and got the winning moment from the bench, which is exactly why this final ended 1-0 rather than drifting towards penalties.