Sports News

Torres wins the World Cup for Spain against 10-man Argentina; Buenos Aires papers stay proud

Spain won the World Cup for the second time on Sunday, beating holders Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, a half-volley after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro's cross back into space, Al Jazeera reported. Argentina had Enzo Fernandez sent off for a second yellow card, for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi, just before the end of normal time.

Al Jazeera listed the records: Spain are the first champions to concede only once in a whole tournament, and the only nation to win a European Championship and a World Cup back to back, now for the second time. Argentina's goalkeeper Emi Martinez made 11 saves. The South China Morning Post called it a one-sided final in front of 80,663 fans, including US President Donald Trump, and said Argentina did not manage a shot on target in 120 minutes. Lionel Messi, 39, was “reduced to irrelevance”, it wrote.

“I just shot with the power of all the Spanish people.” — Ferran Torres, via Al Jazeera

The Guardian called it “the triumph of an idea”, and the next day it read Argentina's newspapers. Clarín's front page said the team had given it their all, with nothing to blame them for, and La Nación called them the pride of the nation.

How each outlet framed it

• Al Jazeera — the goal, the red card and the records.
• South China Morning Post — a one-sided final and a quiet end for Messi.
• The Guardian — Spain's style, then a kind reading of Argentina's press.

What happened next: FIFA opened an investigation into a brawl between the two teams after the final whistle, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.