Lionel Messi has described the pain of Argentina‘s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final as “immense,” stating that the wound will require time to heal. The match, held in New Jersey, saw Ferran Torres score the decisive goal in extra time, securing Spain’s second World Cup title and ending Argentina’s defence of the championship they won in 2022.
This marks Messi’s second World Cup final loss, following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Germany in 2014. At 39 years old, Messi’s participation in the 2030 tournament appears unlikely, though he has not yet made a definitive statement regarding his international career.
Messi’s Reflection on the Tournament
In a social media post, Messi acknowledged the immense pain but also highlighted the positive aspects of their journey. He recalled matches where the team demonstrated resilience and unity, creating moments that will be remembered. He emphasized the support from their country, which, combined with the team’s effort, brought Argentina back to the elite level of world football.
Messi noted the difficulty in fully appreciating their achievement immediately after the loss, but pointed out that the team reached two consecutive World Cup finals. He extended his gratitude for the messages of support, stating that the team once again united the country, fostering a shared pride in being Argentine. Messi also offered congratulations to Spain for their victory.
Throughout the tournament, Messi was a key contributor for Argentina, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. His efforts were crucial in helping his side overcome deficits against Egypt and England in the knockout stages. However, Argentina was unable to defeat a Spanish team that conceded only one goal during the entire competition.
Spain’s Celebrations and Dominance
The Spanish team, including players like Rodrigo Hernández, celebrated their victory in the dressing room and later in Madrid. Hernández, who was 14 when Spain won their first World Cup in 2010, experienced this second triumph in the United States. He collected the trophy for the tournament’s best player, while Pau Cubarsí received the young player award and Unai Simón the Golden Glove. Each Spanish player also received a replica World Cup trophy in a Louis Vuitton trunk.
The celebrations were brief as the team had a scheduled flight back to Spain. Upon their arrival in Madrid, an estimated 1.8 million people gathered to welcome the squad. The team met with the country’s royals and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before embarking on a parade through central Madrid on an open-top bus. The bus bore the inscription “Stars shine together” and featured photos of the players.
Coach Luis de la Fuente expressed joy and pride in representing Spain, highlighting the passionate support of the fans. The squad travelled through historic avenues to Cibeles Square, a traditional celebration spot for Spanish teams, where approximately 120,000 people were present for a ceremony. Singers Aitana, Ana Mena, and Lola Índigo performed for the crowd.
Spain’s victory was marked by a dominant performance in the final. Ferran Torres’s goal was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, while Argentina did not manage a shot until the 115th minute and had no shots on target throughout the game. This marked only the third time in 900 World Cup games, for which Opta has statistics, that a team failed to register a shot in a final. Spain’s defensive strength was evident throughout the tournament, with an expected goals against (xG against) of 0.3 per game.
Unai Simón commented on his limited workload during the tournament, and Aymeric Laporte noted that Spain’s success was not overly reliant on its backline. The triumph was seen as a victory for the collective, for the ideas and conviction of the team, and for coach Luis de la Fuente, who built his career through the youth system, winning European Championships with the under-19s and under-21s before leading the senior side to both the European Championship and the World Cup. The men’s victory, combined with Spain’s Women’s World Cup win in 2023, makes Spain the first nation to hold both titles simultaneously.
Read Also
- Italy approaches Pep Guardiola for national team coaching role
- Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander sets new CFL record for consecutive pass attempts
- Roughrider player involved in fatal crash on Highway 11 near Lumsden
- Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot leads CFL in receiving yards through five games
Source: bbc.com
