La Roja reign supreme!

By Razeen Gutta

Ferran Torres came off the bench to fire Spain to Fifa World Cup glory, scoring a 106th-minute winner as La Roja beat holders Argentina 1-0 in a tense final in New York on Sunday.

38 days and 104 games later, the world champions have been crowned.

The showpiece event, span across three countries and 16 host cities, came to an end when over 80 000 attendees watched on at MetLife Stadium.

Spain dominated possession but struggled to break down a rugged Argentina side.

The South Americans became the first team in history to fail to have a single shot in 90 minutes of a World Cup final. Yet still, their resolute defending forced extra-time.

Lionel Messi’s side played the final 30 with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

There were shades of Johannesburg in 2010 as the breakthrough arrived in the second period of extra-time.

Much like Andres Iniesta 16 years ago, a Barcelona boy would write the headlines for his nation.

Pedro Porro floated a cross to the back post where Nico Williams nodded it down and Torres smashed it home to give Spain the lead.

A Williams goal had earlier been ruled out for a foul, but this time there was no doubt. Torres had done it.

Messi, 39 and almost certainly playing his last World Cup, was kept quiet all night and left the field in tears after collecting his runners-up medal.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised a “generation that makes Spain proud,” while Torres dedicated the goal to the nation’s 47 million people.

Captain Rodri lifted the trophy and took home the player of the tournament award as Spain add a second World Cup star to their list of honours.

Argentina’s resistance was brave, but Spain’s control told in the end.

Pictured above: Spain

Source: @fifaworldcup