Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 with the only goal of extra time to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years. Substitute forward Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the final. The defeat ended Lionel Messi's Argentina's dream of winning consecutive World Cup titles and delayed the reigning champions' pursuit of a fourth star.

Spain dominated the final in New Jersey from the opening whistle. They controlled possession, created more attacks, and generated the better chances. Argentina, by contrast, stayed compact and focused primarily on defending. Unlike in previous matches, they failed to mount a late comeback.

Torres found the net in the 107th minute of extra time, firing home from a Nico Williams cross. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had kept his side in the match with a series of outstanding saves but could not stop the decisive strike. Argentina pushed for an equalizer after conceding, but substitute Giovanni Simeone squandered a promising chance by failing to put his shot on target.

Martínez was Argentina's standout performer throughout the match. He saved eight of Spain's nine shots on target. However, he did not receive the support his team needed from his teammates.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni's tactical decisions may also come under scrutiny. He left Lautaro Martínez, who had scored three goals in the tournament, on the bench. Meanwhile, defensive mainstays Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez both left the field early with injuries. The substitutes failed to make the desired impact, while Enzo Fernández's red card made Argentina's task even more difficult.

Argentina's remarkable run, which included 13 consecutive victories before reaching the final, came to an end on the biggest stage. Still, one defeat does not diminish the team's achievements throughout the tournament. Led by the 40-year-old Messi, Argentina once again reached the World Cup final and proved its quality.

Four years ago, Messi lifted the World Cup trophy at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. This time, he could not retain the title in New Jersey. Even so, the defeat does nothing to diminish his extraordinary career or his standing as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The country where he grew up as a young player and the nation whose La Masia academy shaped his development has now reclaimed the World Cup through its new generation of stars. That reality may have made the loss even more painful, but it casts no shadow over Messi's remarkable legacy.