World Cup final: Trump’s trophy: Spain’s world champions make Messi cry

Lionel Messi cried bitterly in front of Argentina’s fans after their World Cup dream was shattered; the Spanish world champions began their lavish title party after Donald Trump handed over the trophy. When Rodri received the golden trophy from the US President’s hands at 6:43 p.m. local time, the captain waited a moment before Trump walked away from the middle of the Spanish team – and only then raised the trophy into the East Rutherford sky.

Were on the way to the award ceremony Trump and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino received loud boos. Because, in the opinion of the fans, the big stage should belong to the athletes. The hero of the evening in the long one-sided final was not Messi or Lamine Yamal, but joker Ferran Torres, who scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 (0-0, 0-0) after extra time.

“I am proud, proud of this team and of this generation that has prevailed with this game idea,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente after the victory over the dethroned defending champions.

Argentina’s coach: Must show greatness

For the 39-year-old Messi, it was probably the last chance to be crowned a second time after 2022. Argentina Superstar seemed controlled at first, but then started sobbing with the silver medal around her neck.

«I feel sadness now, but above all I feel infinite gratitude towards these boys, because getting this far requires a tremendous effort. We show greatness in victory and must also show it in defeat,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. The Albiceleste didn’t really deserve the title with their destructive performance in the final.

Instead, Torres rewarded the superior Spaniards. “I think that we were finally redeemed by this goal,” said Torres, who only acted as a joker for the entire World Cup. “You’re always nervous against Messi, but we always believed in ourselves.” The football genius’ big moment didn’t happen this time.

De la Fuente triumphs as the oldest coach in World Cup history

In the minutes after the final whistle, the party classic Eviva España blared from the speakers in front of 80,663 spectators. Before the triumph not far from New York, in which Spain dominated for the entire game, the Iberians had won the most important trophy in world football in 2010 in South Africa.

Torres scored the decisive goal for the Spaniards in the 106th minute. The 65-year-old de la Fuente became the oldest coach in World Cup history to win the title. Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández had to leave the pitch with a yellow-red card in stoppage time of regular time for a foul. He saw the first warning from the Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic for complaining.

Trump, Infantino and several stars are watching

Next to US President Trump and FIFA boss Infantino Numerous other celebrities from the sports and show world sat in the stands: Tom Cruise, Rihanna, David Beckham and Jay-Z, for example. They saw a tough first half – and then a clear improvement from the Spaniards.

The Argentines would have been the third team after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) to successfully defend the World Cup title. Instead, the 2022 champion was dethroned. Messi, the eight-time world footballer, was hardly visible in the final; in extra time a cross fell onto the goal net. In general, Argentina’s offense was completely disappointing and remained completely ineffective over the first 110 minutes.

Argentina relies on Messi – Spain on control

Messi carried the Argentines to the final of his sixth World Cup. And not just with his goals and assists. The veteran is both an idol and a fixture for his teammates. Whenever things got tight for them, they looked for the exceptional talent on offense. The Albiceleste fought their way through the knockout phase, round after round. With late comebacks and twice even overtime.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Argentina’s Messi were already in the spotlight before the game – not least because of their legendary bathtub photo together almost 19 years ago. And they also had the first scenes in the game.

A shot from Yamal landed in the arms of Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez (5th). In return, Messi, who became the first player in World Cup history to start his third final, appeared free in front of Unai Simón. But Spain’s goalkeeper rushed out of his box in time and cleared the ball.

Otherwise? Lots of passes for the European champions and initially little spectacle. The Spaniards introduced unusual inaccuracies on the much criticized final pitch in East Rutherford, but the Argentinians, who were lurking on the counterattack, were unable to take advantage of their offers.

Perhaps de la Fuente and Scaloni had simply prepared their teams perfectly for their respective opponents. The two coaches are friends. De la Fuente was once Scaloni’s teacher when he got his coaching license in a special program run by the Spanish association.

Spain increases the pressure – Fernández flies

After the atmospheric halftime show with pop stars Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber, fans in the gigantic football stadium just outside New York were also hoping for more sporting entertainment. Spain’s Álex Baena tried directly, but his shot was too inaccurate (46th).

Little by little, the Iberians developed more power towards the goal with their combination game. De la Fuente tried to further boost the offensive by bringing in Pedri and Torres from FC Barcelona, ​​among other things. In addition, the otherwise outstanding Martínez showed insecurities in the Argentinian goal – especially when a shot from former Leipzig player Dani Olmo (64th).

Torres scores in extra time

The Spaniards increasingly increased the pressure and Martínez had to intervene several times – including against Yamal (90th + 8th). Nothing further came offensively from Argentina. When Fernández had to leave the field after a foul, the defending champions only had to save themselves in the penalty shootout.

Then Torres redeemed the Spaniards right at the start of the second half in extra time. The Joker converted with his left hand with a direct shot, making Spain’s second World Cup triumph perfect – in 2010, Andrés Iniesta also scored the 1-0 winning goal in extra time against the Netherlands.

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