Spain secured their second FIFA World Cup victory in a thrilling final, breaking Lionel Messi's heart thanks to an extra-time winner from substitute Ferran Torres.

Spain began the match on the front foot, with Lamine Yamal coming close just five minutes in. Yamal drove a cross into the box that deflected to Dani Olmo, whose clever return allowed Yamal to shoot, only for a joint defensive effort by Lisandro Martinez and his namesake to deny the opener.

Moments earlier, in the 7th minute, Argentina felt they deserved a penalty when Alexis Mac Allister brought down Mikel Oyarzabal, but referee Slavko Vincic waved away the appeals. At the other end, goalkeeper Unai Simon raced off his line to brilliantly deny Messi a certain goal.

Spain continued to pile on the pressure. In the 39th minute, a slick passing sequence involving Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, and Alex Baena ended with Fabian Ruiz setting up Oyarzabal, whose fierce left-footed shot was well-saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Lisandro Martinez received the first yellow card of the match in the 41st minute for a foul on Oyarzabal, and was forced off with an injury just two minutes later, replaced by Nicolas Otamendi.

By halftime, Spain dominated possession with 65% to Argentina's 35%, outpassing the world champions 313 to 155 and registering two shots on target while limiting Argentina to zero.

Tactical Battles and Missed Chances
Lionel Scaloni brought on Leandro Paredes for Nicolas Gonzalez at the break, but Paredes endured a nightmare start, picking up a yellow card shortly after the restart for a needless push on Rodri.

Spain continued to create openings. In the 55th minute, an Otamendi last-ditch tackle thwarted a dangerous counter-attack, and Gonzalo Montiel cleared a cross away from Marc Cucurella.

Midway through the half, Spain introduced Pedri and match-winner Ferran Torres. Yamal continued to torment Argentina down the right flank, creating a golden opportunity with a cross that Torres met with a low header, safely gathered by Martinez.

As regulation time wound down, both sides traded blows. Pau Cubarsi saw a long-range effort deflect off Martinez, and the Argentine keeper pulled off crucial saves against Williams and Laporte to keep the score level at 0-0.

Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card for fouling Cubarsi, but Martinez kept Argentina alive by tipping away Yamal’s dangerous free-kick just before the whistle.

Extra-Time Drama and the Decisive Goal
In the 96th minute, Spain thought they had broken the deadlock. Mikel Merino forced a shot through a scramble after a Yamal attempt, and Nico Williams tucked away the rebound. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a foul by Merino on Otamendi.

Spain finally broke through 27 seconds into the second half of extra time. Pedro Porro’s cross found Williams, whose shot struck the post before Ferran Torres reacted fastest to tap home the rebound, sealing the historic win.

Torres thought he had added a second in the 113th minute, but it was ruled out for offside.

Argentina pushed desperately for an equalizer late on, but Messi's free-kick failed to find Giuliano Simeone, and a subsequent effort sailed over the bar as Spain closed out the match to lift the trophy.