Spain has claimed its second World Cup title, marking a significant achievement 16 years after their initial victory in South Africa. The team’s journey culminated in a final match where captain Rodri was seen in tears of exhaustion and joy following a strong performance in midfield. The trophy presentation saw Rodri receive the prize from U.S. president Donald Trump and FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino.
Following the final whistle, tensions briefly escalated on the field. Nahuel Molina reportedly swiped at Rodri, and Leandro Paredes was observed grabbing Eric Garcia. Despite these incidents, celebrations ensued, with players and their families marking the victory. Lamine Yamal and his half-brother Keyne were seen playing with the trophy, while Pedri continued a tradition of taking a penalty kick against his father.
The Spanish team, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, demonstrated strong form throughout the tournament. They conceded only one goal, maintained possession and territory dominance in all eight matches, and never trailed an opponent. Their success follows a period of mixed results in previous World Cups, including group stage exits in 2014 and knockout round losses in 2018 and 2022.
Team Cohesion and Early Tournament Challenges
The squad entered the tournament with confidence, bolstered by a series of positive results under De la Fuente and a European Championship win two years prior. The group stage, which included Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, allowed players like wingers Yamal and Nico Williams, who had faced injury-affected seasons, to regain fitness.
Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde in Atlanta resulted in a goalless draw, with Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha making key saves. This performance led to some criticism from Spanish sports newspapers, with headlines like “Historic letdown” and “Huge shock.” However, the squad maintained its composure, recalling similar reactions during their 2010 World Cup campaign.
De la Fuente made four changes for the second game against Saudi Arabia, which Spain won 4-0. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and assisted a goal for Yamal in his first World Cup start. De la Fuente emphasized the importance of courage in responding to criticism, stating, “When your work is being questioned, you have to have courage to react and respond to those criticisms.”
The team’s unity was further solidified during a match against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico, where Alex Baena scored the only goal. Many players have a long history together, having played in youth ranks under De la Fuente, including winning the Under-19 Euros in 2015 and the Under-21 Euros in 2019. This long-standing connection contributed to a positive atmosphere among players and their families throughout the tournament.
Family played a significant role in the celebrations, with players dedicating goals to loved ones. Oyarzabal celebrated a goal against Austria by looking to his pregnant wife, and Fabian Ruiz did similarly against Belgium. Tottenham Hotspur full-back Pedro Porro dedicated his first goal for Spain to his son, Pedro Jr.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also adopted a more open approach with journalists, aiming to reduce tension around the squad. This included providing access and inviting reporters to events, which reportedly improved the team’s mood. A crucial round-of-16 match against Portugal was decided by a 91st-minute winner from Merino, who had overcome a foot operation earlier in the year.
Messi’s Reflection and Future Uncertainty
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi of Argentina expressed his pain following his team’s loss in the World Cup final. In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Messi reflected on the defeat, thanking fans and teammates while congratulating Spain. He acknowledged the immense pain and the time it would take to heal, but also highlighted the team’s achievements in reaching two consecutive World Cup finals.
The contest potentially marked the end of Messi’s time in the World Cup. While the next tournament will be co-hosted by Argentina, Messi would be 43 years old at that time. Although it’s conceivable he could still be playing, it is not certain.
The defeat, however, did not diminish Messi’s legacy in the sport, as he has achieved numerous accolades, including a previous World Cup victory for Argentina. He walked off the field fighting back tears after receiving his second-place medal.
The final match was followed by a brawl between the two teams, which FIFA is reportedly investigating. Messi was not involved in this incident. The Spanish social media team chose a celebratory photo without Donald Trump when posting about their victory.
Read Also
Source: nytimes.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.