AS all eyes were on the generational showdown between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, it was indeed a Barcelona man who took the headlines and delivered in the end for his country.
It just wasn't the name fans were expecting.
Instead it was Ferran Torres - a guy who's been criticized by Catalan fans and the Spanish media since his high-profile move to Barcelona - who'll now be forever hailed as a hero after leading Spain to a 1-0 win over a 10-man Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at the New York - New Jersey stadium.
Torres towers
Oft-ridiculed for his inconsistency and his tendency to miss gimmes, Torres was the guy who finally broke through the impenetrable Dibu Martinez in the 106th minute, sinking a left-footed half volley as fellow substitute Nico Williams brilliantly kept the ball in play after a Pedro Porro cross.
The goal finally broke the tense atmosphere for the Spaniards who once again dominated possession and choked the life out of Argentina who didn't have a single shot until the 116th minute. Messi desperately tried to spark one last comeback for the defending champions but the brilliant magician simply ran out of rabbits to pull out his hat in the face of a tactically sound Spanish side.
Messi released a sprinting Giuiliano Simeone who found Marcos Senesi but did little to challenge Unai Simon, and then Argentina's final golden chance came when Messi's corner found Simeone who hit it over the post.
That was all the attack Argentina can muster in a game that was simply dominated by the Spaniards from start to finish but certainly had plenty of drama and controversy.
The 19-year-old centerback Pau Cabarsi held steady for Spain as Rodri, named the Golden Ball winner, once again controlled the midfield and choked the life out of Argentina's attack.
Things took a turn in stoppage time of the first 90 minutes when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for getting his second yellow card for a rough challenge on Cabarsi, forcing Argentina to enter the extra time with just 10 men.
Spain quickly took advantage of that seven minutes into extra-time as Williams pounced on a blocked Mikel Merino attempt and looked like he may have broken the deadlock, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on the attack.
But Spain simply wasn't to be denied as, just like in 2010, Torres scored on the back end of extra time right in front of Andres Iniesta who drilled the winner against the Netherlands 16 years ago.
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