Spain v Argentina player ratings: Lionel Messi fails to produce one last moment of magic as super-subs guide Spain to World Cup victory | football news

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the most one-sided final in World Cup history. From Ferran Torres’ heroics to Lionel Messi’s last dance, here are the player ratings as Luis de la Fuente’s side claim their second star…

spain

Unai Simon – 5

Argentina literally didn’t get a shot until the 117th minute. Probably got a nice tan and definitely got his hands on the trophy.

Pedro Porro – 8

Lamine Yamal created runs with constant threats off the ball. It was his cross that finally sparked the opener – a pinpoint delivery to Williams at the back post.

Pau Cubersi – 6

Plays with maturity beyond his years. There wasn’t much he could do to stop the Argentine, but he was consistently calm whenever a threat was apparent. World Cup winners and young players of the tournament.

Aymeric Laporte – 6

There was nothing to do defensively. Had a half chance late on in normal time but couldn’t get enough purchase with his header.

Mark Cucurella – 7

Much like at the Euros two years ago, Cucurella has raised his stock this summer and has continued to do so with another stellar performance at both ends of the pitch.

Rodri – 7

Midfield general. The game kept ticking in favor of Spain. He will have a history of injuries in games over 90 minutes, which makes sense in extra time.

Fabian Ruiz – 6

89 per cent passes completed and two chances created. A difficult if not spectacular performance before PSG took him off after an hour.

Yamal lamina – 5

Was this the day to take the crown from King Messi? Not quite. The teenage superstar was targeted and silenced, but he’ll accept the outcome.

Dani Olmo – 5

For all Spain’s rights, it didn’t quite happen for Olmo. Not much was actually happening in front of him, so it was hard to pull the strings.

Alex Baena – 5

Be it Montiel or Molina, Argentina’s right-backs were there. Baena combined well with Cucurella, but the introduction of Williams made the perfect idea to add more pace.

Michael Warzabal – 6

He was the only one who troubled Martinez in the first half, but was often sacrificed to allow Spain to get on top in an alternative manner.

Sub

Ferran Torres – 8

A moment he will never forget. A truly brilliant piece of quiet and quality when it matters most. His teammates struggled to show it, but Ferran Torres had plenty. The man who won the 2026 World Cup forever.

Peter – 6

Looked smart on the ball and brought a bit more energy to the midfield than Fabian Ruiz.

Michael Marino – 5

His moment seemed to come in extra time, getting on the end of a cross just outside the six-yard box. The net should have evolved, but the super-sub missed its mark and its chance to be a hero.

Nico Williams – 7

The substitute was brought on to make an impact, and thought he made the biggest one when he bundled the ball in for the extra-time opener only to be controversially ruled out. However, he enjoyed his moment by grabbing the assist for the winner with a smart nod to Torres.

Martin Jubimendi – 5

He spent half the game doing things he wasn’t brought in to do as Argentina pressed for a late equaliser. Not at Rodri’s level but fresh legs at a crucial time.

Eric Garcia – 6

Argentina were throwing the kitchen sink at Spain and Garcia added an extra defensive body to see the game through.

Argentina

Amy Martinez – 8

He started to look confident but as the game went on, Martinez became more shaky. There were a number of straightforward saves that he fumbled. He regained his composure though, making crucial saves to keep Argentina at bay late on and in extra time. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough.

Gonzalo Montiel – 5

Struggles to get forward and often can’t keep up with the overlapping movements of the puppy at the other end. Nothing beats his World Cup win four years ago.

Cristian Romero – 6

There was a lot of defending to be done and with Martinez coming on just before half-time, he managed Otamendi’s side well for most of the time before being subbed off on 70 minutes.

Lisandro Martinez – 4

Maybe a bit harsh as he didn’t do anything seriously wrong, but got a booking and was injured before half time.

Nicolas Tagliafico – 6

As well as he could about Marshalled Lamine Yamal. The teenager certainly didn’t do anything remarkable and that’s a credit to the Argentine left-back.

Rodrigo DiPaul – 5

Played him out of the park with Rodri and Ruiz struggling to get a grip on the midfield battle.

Alexis McAllister – 5

Bucky sat back with Argentina and was unable to show what he was capable of capturing. hindered by their approach to the game rather than his individual efforts.

Enzo Fernandez – 2

His absolutely stupid tackle in stoppage time on Cubersie, already booked for talking to the referee, leaves his team completely behind to go into extra time. How much they were already under, he made it worse.

Then he has no hands on his ears.

Nico Gonzalez – 6

Indeed looked a threat when he had the chance to get the ball forward, but was withdrawn at half-time with Argentina showing far more defensive stability.

Lionel Messi – 4

If this is the end for Lionel Messi, he never dreamed it. He didn’t make an impact in a game where no one expected him to, but what a tournament. what a player

His image sitting on the floor, defeated, we all know could be his last one on a football pitch. If it does, he walks away with his head held high, even if he doesn’t find another moment in magical history.

Julian Alvarez – 3

Argentina played defensively and Alvarez couldn’t connect. Replaced by centre-half in extra time which tells you all you need to know about how Lionel Scaloni was approaching the game.

Sub

Nicolas Otamendi – 6

Perhaps an experienced name is brought in for one last dance. Led the defense well enough until the inevitable.

Leandro Paredes – 2

shocking He came on, fouled, did nothing positive and then carried himself so badly that it led to a red card to boot after the final whistle. He should be ashamed of himself.

Nahuel Molina – 3

Beating Williams at the back post, Torres won. He then threw a punch at Rodri as he ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates, sparking ugly scenes at full-time. A traumatized person may be trying to get out of his role in an expensive pursuit.

Facundo Medina – 5

Medina couldn’t do much to stop the Spanish attack, but he was one of the defenders on the pitch when they finally scored.

Giuliano Simeone – 5

He worked his socks off after arriving, but he will always regret his miss in extra time stoppage time. When the ball landed at a corner at his feet, he could see his name in lights. Instead, he fired his half volley over the bar.

Marcos Year – 5

Senesi made a couple of decent tackles, but his role in place of Alvarez was straight out of the Thomas Tuchel playbook. It condemned Argentina for trying to hold on – before they conceded – and they probably wished they had held on to one more attacker.

Man of the match: Ferran Torres

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