Spain deservedly won a desperately disappointing World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina.
The European champions had created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra-time.
Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’ header to beat Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
The game failed to live up to expectations as it descended into a war of attrition – while away from the action, this was the World Cup where razzamatazz and superstars came to the showpiece.
President Donald Trump flew in to New Jersey in one of a fleet of helicopters before kick-off, while Madonna and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, stretching the interval out to 27 minutes.
In a dour affair littered with interruptions, followed by that lengthy interval, the game never had any fluency or flow, although Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forced first-half saves out of Argentina keeper Martinez.
Spain constantly complained about referee Slavko Vincic’s leniency, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was late on Dani Olmo, with the first yellow card coming after 40 minutes when Lisandro Martinez brought down Oyarzabal, although the Manchester United defender went off injured shortly afterwards.
The game boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, who had already been cautioned, received a second yellow card for a reckless barge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi.
Argentina keeper Martinez had been their hero, and he prevented Spain scoring a winner in the final seconds of normal time when he made a superb save from Lamine Yamal’s free-kick.
He was in action again with another crucial stop from Williams’ header. Williams then had a goal ruled for substitute Mikel Merino’s foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina came back to beat Egypt and England in the knockout stage – but could not repeat the feat here as Spain won the men’s World Cup for the second time.