Spain were hailed as worthy 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating Argentina in a commanding performance that many described as a "victory for football."
Ferran Torres' extra-time winner sealed a 1-0 triumph in New Jersey before captain Rodri lifted the trophy, capping off a tournament in which Spain consistently outclassed their opponents with possession-based, attacking football.
Former England captain Alan Shearer praised the champions after the final whistle.
"There is no doubt that the right team won," he said on BBC One.
"From start to finish, Spain controlled possession. They were the ones looking to play football, create chances and get in behind. This is a result for football because of the way they have played."
Spain dominated virtually every statistical category in the final, finishing with 65% possession, 20 shots, 11 efforts on target and an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.94.
Defensively, they were just as impressive.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon kept his seventh clean sheet in eight matches to claim the tournament's Golden Glove, while Spain ended the World Cup having conceded just one goal - the fewest ever by a title-winning side.
Luis de la Fuente's side further strengthened their claim as the leading force in international football.
Already European and Olympic champions, Spain are now also world champions, while the nation's women currently hold the Women's World Cup title as well.
The men's team extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches, the longest ever recorded by a European nation.
Their campaign began modestly with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, echoing their 2010 triumph when they famously lost their opening match to Switzerland before going on to lift the trophy.
Spain's dominance in possession was once again evident in the final.
Rodri completed 101 passes, while teenage defender Pau Cubarsi completed 121, making them two of only three players ever to record 100 or more passes in a World Cup final.
The future also looks exceptionally bright. Nineteen-year-old Cubarsi was named Young Player of the Tournament, while Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal continued his remarkable rise.
At just 19 years and six days old, Yamal became the third-youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup final, behind Pele and Giuseppe Bergomi, and now ranks as the third-youngest World Cup winner in history.
Defending champions Argentina struggled to impose themselves for much of the contest.
Their approach drew criticism, with Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernandez repeatedly disrupting Spain's rhythm rather than creating attacking opportunities.
Despite four Argentine players receiving yellow cards, Spain remained in control.
The passing statistics reflected the gulf between the two sides, with Spain completing 852 passes compared to Argentina's 464.
Unlike England in the semi-finals, Spain maintained their dominance after the break and were unfortunate not to score sooner.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a World Cup final record of 11 saves to keep his side in the contest, but he was eventually beaten by Torres in the 106th minute.
Argentina offered little going forward. Remarkably, they failed to register a single shot during normal time - the first team in World Cup final history to do so.
Their first attempt arrived only in the 117th minute through Lionel Messi.
The closing stages and aftermath of the match were overshadowed by heated scenes.
Fernandez received a second yellow card after a reckless late tackle on Cubarsi, while after the final whistle Paredes clashed with Rodri, Gavi and Borja Iglesias.
Nahuel Molina was also seen throwing a punch during the confrontations.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney criticised Argentina's conduct.
"It was embarrassing seeing that sort of stuff after the game," Rooney said.
"Someone has been crowned World Cup champions. It is not good enough. Paredes is better than that, but it just kept escalating."
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, speaking emotionally after the defeat, accepted Spain deserved their victory despite questioning how the game might have unfolded had his side not been reduced to ten men.
"Even though they were out-playing us until the 85th minute, I would love to know what would have happened had we still had 11 men on the pitch," Scaloni said.
"They deserved the victory, that is the reality."
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also condemned Argentina's post-match behaviour.
"Argentina can have absolutely no complaints about what happened," Hart said.
"The behaviour afterwards was disgusting. Spain were the better team, and they fully deserved to be world champions."
