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 loss marked Argentina’s third appearance in a World Cup final in the last four tournaments, and Messi’s second final defeat, following a 1-0 loss to Germany in 2014.
The decisive goal came from Ferran Torres in extra-time, securing Spain’s second World Cup title and ending Argentina’s defence of the trophy they claimed in 2022. At 39 years old, Messi’s participation in the 2030 tournament is considered unlikely, though he has not yet made a definitive statement regarding his international future.
Messi’s Reflection on the Tournament and Support
In a social media post, Messi acknowledged the deep disappointment but also reflected on the positive aspects of their campaign. He highlighted the team’s ability to stage comebacks and the memorable moments created throughout the competition. “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things,” Messi wrote.
He further expressed gratitude for the widespread support from Argentina, which he believes, combined with the team’s dedication, helped them regain their status among the world’s elite. Messi noted that it is challenging to fully appreciate their achievement of reaching two consecutive World Cup finals at this moment.
Messi also extended his congratulations to Spain on their championship victory. He played a crucial role in Argentina’s journey to the final, contributing eight goals and four assists. His efforts were particularly vital in the knockout stages, where Argentina overcame deficits to defeat Egypt and England.
However, Argentina ultimately could not breach a formidable Spain side that conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament. The final match saw Spain dominate possession and attempts on goal, with Torres’s strike in the 106th minute proving to be the difference.
Spain’s Celebrations and Tournament Performance
Following their victory, Spain’s celebrations were marked by a sense of collective achievement. Rodrigo Hernández, who was 14 when Spain won their first World Cup in 2010, was instrumental in this latest triumph. He lifted the trophy, ensuring that Donald Trump had departed the stage before doing so, a moment noted for its perfect timing.
Rodri also received the award for the tournament’s best player, while Pau Cubarsí, at 19 years old, earned the young player award, and Unai Simón was presented with the Golden Glove. Each Spain player received a replica World Cup trophy in a Louis Vuitton trunk, along with a Lego version, and Rodri additionally had the main cup.
The team’s departure from the dressing room at the New Jersey New York Stadium saw players laden with various mementos, including cut pieces of the net, commemorative rings, and jerseys. Marc Cucurella, before the final, replicated a tradition from 2010 by burying a coin in the pitch. After the match, Sergio Ramos brought the trophy back to the plinth for the new generation to collect.
Lamine Yamal shared an embrace with Lionel Messi after the match, a moment described as a rite of passage. Ferran Torres spoke of the victory as a “great liberation,” attributing it to destiny. The celebrations in the dressing room were brief, with champagne opened before the team embarked on their flight back to Spain, scheduled for 11pm.
Spain’s dominance in the final was evident, with Torres’s goal being one of 20 shots for Spain, while Argentina did not manage a single shot on target throughout the match. This performance was consistent with Spain’s tournament-long defensive strength, having an expected goals against (xG against) of 0.3 per game. Goalkeeper Unai Simón remarked that his gloves “didn’t have much work to do.”
The victory was seen as a triumph of a collective effort and a clear system under coach Luis de la Fuente, who began his coaching career in the third tier and worked his way through the youth system, winning multiple European Championships before leading the senior side to World Cup glory. Cucurella, who had promised to get a tattoo of De la Fuente’s face if Spain won, now faces the decision of where to place it.
The team’s success was built over 51 days, culminating in their victory in New York. De la Fuente, whose coaching career saw him start with the under-17s and win European Championships with the under-19s and under-21s, now adds a World Cup to his achievements.
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Source: bbc.com
