SPAIN ON TOP OF THE WORLD! Ferran ruins Messi's last dance and punishes Argentina's abysmal display

For the second time in their history, Spain are sitting at the top of the world!

Just like in 2010 against the Netherlands, they were forced to play extra time after a goalless draw, and just like 16 years ago, their match-winner was a Barcelona man - back then, Andres Iniesta, and today, Ferran Torres. And that’s where all the similarities between the two finals end.

In South Africa, Spain had an opponent whose display was worthy of the final. Tonight, Spain were the only team willing to play football, seek goals, and go for the win.

With all due respect for La Roja and their incredible run, seven victories and one draw, and only one goal conceded in the entire tournament, the main question should be directed at Lionel Scaloni and Argentina, and it would be short, just one word: Why?

Why did you decide not to appear on the pitch? Why did you decide not to play football, but look like a bunch of MMA fighters and wrestlers? Why did you ruin the most sacred match in football?

La Albiceleste became the third national team in World Cup history without a single shot on goal in 90 minutes, after Costa Rica in the group stage in 1990 against Brazil and four years ago against Spain. The only difference is that Lionel Messi and Co. put in an embarrassing and extremely underwhelming display in the World Cup final?!

The Argentines seemed ready for extra time and penalties from the very beginning of the match. And when Enzo Fernandez was deservedly sent off, receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time, their approach was: force a penalty shootout or die trying.

Had it not been for the outstanding Emiliano Martinez - the only player in Scaloni’s crew worthy of the final - Spain would have sealed the deal much earlier.

Chances for Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena, Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, and Nico Williams were coming one after another. But the match winner was - Ferran Torres.

Barcelona striker, who came off the bench in the 62nd minute, finally found the net in the 106th minute from La Roja’s 20th shot (12th on target), becoming Andres Iniesta’s successor, and hinting at the same outcome as 16 years ago.

As much as the football world has to respect, adore, and cherish Messi, this was an embarrassing last dance. It’s one thing to lose, but it’s something completely different to fail to make an attempt for 120 minutes.

A team can lose, but the way you suffer a defeat also matters. Even if some neutral supporters were backing Argentina, by the end of the match, they must have become the most passionate Spanish fans. La Albiceleste’s win would have been one of the most undeserved triumphs ever.

That’s not a proper send-off for such a legend and - for many - the GOAT, Lionel Messi. This was just sad.

The biggest takeaway from the first half was the immense pressure, and it clearly had a huge impact – especially on Argentina.

Lionel Messi and the rest of his namesake Scaloni's front line, were virtually invisible before the break, with Spain's high pressing completely ruining all their plans.

La Albiceleste went into the break with an xG of 0.00, without registering a single shot, corner, or touch inside Spain's penalty area!

On top of everything, Lisandro Martinez, arguably their best performer of the first half - alongside the goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez - suffered an injury and was forced off, with Nicolas Otamendi replacing him.

On the other hand, Spain were much better, and the only thing missing from their performance was a goal.

During the opening quarter of an hour, Lamine Yamal was their most active player, wasting a fantastic chance just five minutes into the game. Once the Argentines managed to neutralize him, La Roja focused their attacks on the left flank, where Marc Cucurella caused all sorts of problems, albeit without producing an end product.

Mikel Oyarzabal tested Emiliano Martinez with a long-range effort in the 39th minute, producing the final noteworthy moment of an otherwise uneventful and goalless first half.

Considering his team's poor display in the first half, it was no wonder that Scaloni made another substitution during the break, replacing Nico Gonzalez with Leandro Paredes - another powerful midfielder.

However, less than a minute into the second half, after another lost ball dangerously close to their box, La Albiceleste gifted the rivals a chance to score, but Martinez stopped Alex Baena's effort from outside the area.

Alternate football history: What if Lionel Messi wore Spanish jersey tonight?

The second half followed the same script, as Spain were the only team willing to play. Argentina's only strategy was their physical play and relentless approach. And another Scaloni's trump card was Nahuel Molina who replaced Gonzalo Montiel in the 58th minute.

Four minutes later, Luis de la Fuente responded with his own subs, sending Ferran Torres and Pedri in for Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz. The Barcelona striker threatened with a strong header minutes after his entry, but the ball went straight into Martinez's arms.

In the 71st minute, right after the second hydration break, Scaloni stunned everyone making another double sub - Facundo Medina for Cristian Romero and Giuliano Simeone for Rodrigo De Paul - using all of his substitutions with more than 20 minutes remaining.

De la Fuente sent his super sub Mikel Merino, alongside Nico Williams to the pitch quarter of an hour before the end, while his men kept threatening. Pedri and Pau Cubarsi tested Martinez from long range, while Aymeric Laporte attempted with a header, but none of them could find a way past Argentina's keeper.

Spain's attacks continued, but did not produce much danger until the stoppage time, when one of the key moment of the game happened - Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a horrendous tackle on Cubarsi, receiving the second yellow card!

In the final seconds, Yamal made a fantastic strike from a free-kick, but once again, Martinez was an insurmountable obstacle. The game was set for extra time, while Argentina finished it without a single shot on goal, putting in arguably the most shameful performance in the World Cup finals history!

Williams was the key player in the first half of extra time, as Martinez denied his fantastic header, the referee Slavko Vincic ruled out his opener for Mikel Merino's previous foul, and he set up a perfect chance for the Arsenal midfielder, whose header went narrowly wide of the post.

Argentina were defending with all their players except for Messi, while the Spaniards were slowly but surely realizing that the potential penalties were a risky option, as the match with a man up was their best chance.

And they finally did it less than a minute into the second extra time, when Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock from La Roja's 20th shot on goal and 12th on target! He smashed the ball into the net, as if he was thinking to himself: This time, you won't deny it, Emi!

Torres scored another goal, which did not stand for offside, while Argentina threatened for the first time in stoppage time of extra time, but football Gods did not allow an undeserved outcome.

Spain have become the World Champions for the second time in their history! Now, they are reigning champs of Europe and the world - they are the best national team in the world and kings of football!

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

Third-place match

France - England 4-6 (0-4)

/Mbappe 48, 66, Barcola 54, Dembele 90+6 - Rice 3, Konsa 18, Saka 37, 45+1, 87 pen, Bellingham 90+8/

Final

Spain - Argentina 1-0 a.e.t. (0-0)

/Ferran Torres 106/