Absolute football!

The Spanish sun has risen once again. The 23rd World Cup will return to Madrid this time. Ferran Torres' goal at the 106th minute of the extra time decided the world football champions for the next four years. Spain, who had failed to score a goal in their first match of the tournament and conceded a draw against debutant Cape Verde, went on to win the title without losing a single match or conceding a goal.

Argentina, after a slew of thrillers in the knockout stage, and with their numero uno Lionel Messi being in the form of his life, expected a strong fight in the final game. However, they were in for a reality check. If not for Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made 11 saves in this game, the Latin team would have ended humiliated, akin to the infamous night (1-7)in Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. Argentina, the team that made a habit of scoring and winning in the last ten minutes of the game, saw its tricks falling apart. Spain relied on precision football with measured passing and total teamwork. Despite Messi having a splendid tournament, FIFA chose Spanish captain Rodri for the Golden Ball award, and it couldn't be more right. The Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper went to Unai Simon, and the award for the best young player went to 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi. French captain Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals.

This is Spain’s second World Cup title. In 2008, Spain defeated Germany to win the Euros and then went on to clinch the WC trophy in 2010. On a similar note, Spain won the 2024 Euros and is now the World champions two years later.

Despite an unappealing game in the final, Argentina can hold their head high since it is not a menial task to reach consecutive World Cup football finals. For Messi, this was his third World Cup final in the last four tournaments. With eight goals and four assists, Messi remains a haloed presence in the team, and it will be seen what the 39-year-old will decide in the coming days.

Messi, Cristiano, Neymar, Luka Modric and many masters of the game will likely hang up their boots in the coming days. The World Cup fever is over, and Spain are world champion. Like what German Legend Toni Kroos posted on X after the match, it looked like ‘ Football won’ at the end of the day.