Spain beat Argentina for coveted World Cup tittle

Spain won the World Cup for the second time after Ferran Torres scored a dramatic extra-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory over holders Argentina on Sunday, shattering Lionel Messi's dream of a triumphant farewell on football's biggest stage.

The Barcelona striker fired home a powerful finish in the 106th minute to cap a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina side that failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes, reports French news agency AFP.

A crowd of 80,663, including US President Donald Trump, packed MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to see whether Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup title.

But the 39-year-old maestro -- almost certainly playing in his final World Cup match -- was reduced to a peripheral role as Spain took control early against an Argentina side that committed cynical fouls throughout.

The South Americans' skulduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in stoppage time.

For long periods, though, it looked as if Argentina might somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough.

But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra time, Spain struck.

A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams, who nodded the ball into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that secured Spain's second World Cup title after their maiden triumph in 2010.

"Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people -- not just me or the 26 players," goal hero Torres said, referring to Spain's approximate population.

"At the end of the day, all finals are tough; when you're up against Messi, there's a certain nervousness, but we always believed in our football and in ourselves."

There were ugly scenes after the final whistle as Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes triggered a melee by grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat in a skirmish that saw Spanish substitute Gavi thrown to the ground.

Messi, meanwhile, was seen with tears streaming down his face after receiving his runners-up medal in a ceremony led by Trump, who was subjected to deafening boos and catcalls as he walked onto the pitch alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Trump and Infantino later presented the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri, the midfield general who had orchestrated La Roja's superb victory.

"We have won everything, and that is wonderful," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said of his team. "They are a generation of footballers who are a source of pride for Spain."

Cynical gameplan 

Before Sunday's final, many pundits had predicted that a technically inferior Argentina side would seek to disrupt Spain's fluent game with cynical tactics.

There was an early sign of the South Americans' gameplan when Alexis Mac Allister flew in with a studs-up challenge that caught Dani Olmo on the ankle.

Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic awarded only a foul.

Spain responded moments later, with Alex Baena catching Messi with an elbow to the back that also went unpunished.

Argentina continued to test referee Vincic's patience with a series of niggling challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was fortunate not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal's calf in a clumsy tackle.

Eventually, though, Vincic reached for a yellow card, booking Lisandro Martinez for a cynical challenge on Mikel Oyarzabal.

The final's controversial half-time show featuring Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber stretched to 27 minutes but did little to disrupt Spain's rhythm.

Spain piled on the pressure in a one-sided second half as Argentina held on grimly.

De la Fuente introduced Pedri and Ferran Torres in place of Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal, and the chances continued to come with Argentina under relentless pressure.

Pedri and Cubarsi both struck long-range efforts that Emi Martinez failed to hold at the first attempt, but Argentina somehow continued to survive.

The introduction of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh impetus to Spain's attack, and the pressure continued.

Fernandez's reckless red card left Argentina down to 10 men heading into extra time.

Martinez made one final save deep into stoppage time, clawing Yamal's superb curling free-kick wide.

Spain's dominance continued in extra time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez saved brilliantly with one hand.

Moments later, it looked as though Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net, but referee Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

But the breakthrough finally came through Torres's winner.

Argentina launched one last desperate attack on Spain's goal, but La Roja held firm to seal victory.