It was a Fifa World Cup in which football’s biggest names sprinkled stardust over the tournament, yet in the end, the trophy deservingly went to a formidable if unspectacular Spain side who were simply too strong, even without Lamine Yamal being at his thrilling best.
The 19-year-old winger was the focus of so much attention, but he initially struggled to find full fitness and finished with just one goal, in a group-stage win over Saudi Arabia.
This World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, had an average of 2.96 goals per game, making it the most prolific since 1970. Spain scored only 14 times in eight games, but they take the trophy home after silencing Lionel Messi and defeating a disappointing Argentina 1-0 at the end of extra time at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
La Roja completely outplayed the defending champions, but needed a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute to become world champions for the second time.
The key to their success was a remarkable defence who conceded only once in the whole competition, against Belgium in the quarter-finals. Protecting that defence as brilliantly as ever was captain Rodri, and it was telling that he was named Player of the Tournament rather than Messi, Kylian Mbappé or any of the other attacking superstars on display.
There were echoes of 2010 in South Africa, when Spain won their first World Cup with a fantastic side whose success was also built around a watertight backline.
“When you don’t concede, I think it is much easier to win,” said Marc Cucurella, the floppy-haired full-back who recently signed for Real Madrid from Chelsea for £47.5m (about R1.05 billion). “We attack together and defend together, and that is one of the key things about this team.”
Messi and Argentina did not muster a single shot on target as their attempts to become the first team to defend the World Cup successfully since 1962 fell flat. In the semi-finals, Spain had also shut out France’s remarkable attack, including Mbappé, who still ended the tournament as top scorer with 10 goals.
The Golden Boot was won by Kylian Mbappe of France.
“If you could speak to all the gloves I have worn in this World Cup, I think they would tell you they didn’t have much work to do,” joked goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Behind Mbappé and Messi, who scored eight goals, in the race for the Golden Boot were Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, and Harry Kane.
They were some of the most recognisable faces of this World Cup, but their teams could not match Spain, who are the first country to be world and European champions at the same time since they completed the double themselves in 2008 and 2010.
The future looks just as bright – Yamal and fellow 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí are now part of an elite group of only 10 players ever to have won the World Cup as teenagers.
Coach Luis de la Fuente, who took over following the disappointing last 16 exit at the 2022 World Cup, is a veteran at 65 but has achieved astonishing results and has a contract until Euro 2028.
Spain were crowned Fifa World Cup champions for a second time on Sunday.
Before the tournament, so much attention was on the big-name coaches who came into international football with huge reputations.
Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel failed to live up to expectations with Brazil and England, respectively, while Mauricio Pochettino could only lead the US to the Round of 16 and Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany disappointed.
“These players are exceptionally talented, and it is an honour to accompany them,” said De la Fuente, happy to stand back and let them bask in the glory.
The last two decades have seen Spain firmly shake off their reputation as international football’s great underachievers, and they have now won two World Cups and three European Championships since 2008, as well as one Uefa Nations League title.
They will be back in action in just two months with Nations League games against England and Croatia.
For now, though, they can enjoy being world champions again and reflect on the tantalising prospect of defending the trophy in 2030 – which will be the first time in World Cup history that the holders defend the title on home soil. | AFP
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