EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Spain is back on top.
Spain beat Lionel Messi and Argentina 1–0 in extra time in the World Cup final in front of a sell-out crowd of 80,663 fans at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Argentina played with 10 men for all of extra time after Enzo Fernández got a second yellow card late in regulation.
Spain came out on top of FIFA’s biggest World Cup ever, with 104 matches and 48 teams in 16 host cities. The victory marks Spain’s second World Cup star after previously winning the tournament in 2010. Spain held possession for much of the match and just about entirely shut down Argentina’s offense. Spain only conceded one goal all tournament.
In the first half, Spain looked more aggressive, but neither side found the back of the net before FIFA’s Super Bowl-style halftime show with Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, and Gustavo Dudamel. The halftime lasted more than 27 minutes due to the 12-minute show; international soccer rules say halftime should not exceed 15 minutes.
In the second half, Argentina still struggled to get possession, then suffered another blow with Fernández being sent off.
