Spain vs Argentina player ratings: Lionel Messi fails to produce one last moment of magic as super-subs guide Spain to World Cup triumph

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in one of the vital one-sided World Cup finals in historical past. From Ferran Torres’ heroics to Lionel Messi’s final dance, listed here are the participant scores as Luis de la Fuente’s facet claimed their second star…

Spain

Unai Simon – 5

Argentina actually did not have a shot till the 117th minute. In all probability bought a pleasant tan and positively bought his palms on the trophy.

Pedro Porro – 8

Was a constant menace making runs off Lamine Yamal. It was his cross that finally sparked the opener – a pinpoint supply to Williams on the again submit.

Pau Cubarsi – 6

Performed with maturity past his years. There wasn’t a lot to do when it comes to stopping Argentina, however he persistently remained calm every time a menace was obvious. World Cup winner and Younger Participant of the Event.

Aymeric Laporte – 6

Had nothing to do defensively. Had a half likelihood late in regular time however could not make sufficient buy together with his header.

Marc Cucurella – 7

Very similar to on the Euros two years in the past, Cucurella raised his inventory this summer season and continued it with one other wonderful efficiency at each ends of the pitch.

Rodri – 7

The midfield normal. Saved the sport ticking in Spain’s favour. Introduced off in extra-time which contemplating is comprehensible given the chance taking part in past 90 minutes can have together with his harm historical past.

Fabian Ruiz – 6

89 per cent move completion and two possibilities created. A strong if not exceptional efficiency from the PSG man earlier than his removing simply after an hour.

Lamine Yamal – 5

Was this the day he took the crown from King Messi? Not fairly. The teenage celebrity was targetted and stored quiet, however he’ll settle for that given the consequence.

Dani Olmo – 5

For all of Spain’s possession, it did not fairly occur for Olmo. Not lots taking place in entrance of him in fact, so it was arduous to tug the strings.

Alex Baena – 5

Whether or not it was Montiel or Molina, the Argentina right-backs had been there to be bought at. Baena mixed nicely with Cucurella, however the introduction of Williams so as to add extra tempo made good sense.

Mikel Oyarzabal – 6

He was the one one to hassle Martinez within the first-half, however as is usually the case, was sacrificed so Spain might go along with another strategy up high.

Subs

Ferran Torres – 8

A second he’ll always remember. A really good piece of composure and high quality when it mattered most. His team-mates struggled to indicate it, however Ferran Torres had it in abundance. Endlessly to be the person who gained the 2026 World Cup.

Pedri – 6

Appeared good on the ball and introduced a bit extra vitality in midfield than Fabian Ruiz.

Mikel Merino – 5

His second seemed prefer it got here in extra-time as he bought on the tip of a cross simply outdoors the six-yard field. The online ought to’ve bulged, however the super-sub missed his mark and likelihood to be a hero.

Nico Williams – 7

The substitute was introduced on to make an impression, and thought he made the largest one when he bundled the ball house for an extra-time opener just for it to be controversially dominated out. Nevertheless, he had his second by grabbing the help for the winner with a sensible nod again to Torres.

Martin Zubimendi – 5

Half of his sport time was spent doing issues he wasn’t introduced on to do as Argentina pressed for a late equaliser. Not at Rodri’s stage however recent legs at an necessary time.

Eric Garcia – 6

Argentina had been throwing the kitchen sink at Spain and Garcia added an additional defensive physique to see the sport out.

Argentina

Emi Martinez – 8

He began assured however as the sport went on, Martinez grew shakier. There have been plenty of easy saves that he fumbled. He recovered his composure although, producing necessary saves to maintain Argentina in it late on and into extra-time. Sadly for him, it wasn’t sufficient.

Gonzalo Montiel – 5

Struggled going ahead and infrequently could not sustain with the overlapping motion of Cucurella down the opposite finish. Nothing on his World Cup successful second 4 years in the past.

Cristian Romero – 6

Had a number of defending to do and with Martinez coming off simply earlier than half-time, he managed nicely subsequent to Otamendi for probably the most half earlier than limping off on 70 minutes.

Lisandro Martinez – 4

Possibly a tad harsh as he did not do something egregiously unsuitable, however obtained a reserving and was off injured all earlier than half-time.

Nicolas Tagliafico – 6

Marshalled Lamine Yamal about in addition to he might’ve finished. {The teenager} definitely did not do something of notice and that is a credit score to the Argentina left-back.

Rodrigo De Paul – 5

Struggled to get a grip of the midfield battle with Rodri and Ruiz taking part in him off the park.

Alexis Mac Allister – 5

Sat again with the remainder of Argentina and wasn’t in a position to present what he was able to in possession. Hampered by their strategy to the sport reasonably than his particular person efforts.

Enzo Fernandez – 2

His completely silly deal with in stoppage time on Cubarsi, having already been booked for speaking again to the referee, put his workforce utterly on the again foot going into additional time. They had been already underneath the cosh, he made it worse.

No palms to his ears after that one.

Nico Gonzlalez – 6

Really seemed a menace when he had the chance to take the ball ahead, however was withdrawn at half-time as Argentina seemed way more defensive stability.

Lionel Messi – 4

If that is the tip for Lionel Messi, it wasn’t how he would’ve dreamed it. He did not impression the sport anyplace close to anybody would’ve anticipated him to, however what a match. What a participant.

The picture of him sat on the ground, defeated, could also be considered one of his final on a soccer pitch for all we all know. Whether it is, then he goes together with his head held excessive, even when he could not discover one other second of magical historical past.

Julian Alvarez – 3

Argentina performed defensive and Alvarez could not become involved. Changed by centre-half in additional time which tells you all you have to learn about how Lionel Scaloni was approaching the sport.

Subs

Nicolas Otamendi – 6

An skilled title introduced on for what is probably going one final dance. Led the defence nicely sufficient till the inevitable occurred.

Leandro Paredes – 2

Stunning. He got here on, dedicated fouls, did nothing constructive after which carried himself in such a poor method come the ultimate whistle in addition resulting in a pink card after the ultimate whistle. He ought to be ashamed of himself.

Nahuel Molina – 3

Crushed on the again submit by Williams to arrange Torres’ winner. He then sparked ugly scenes at full-time by throwing a punch at Rodri as he rushed onto the pitch to have a good time together with his team-mates. A sore loser possibly attempting to deflect from his position within the expensive purpose.

Facundo Medina – 5

Not a lot Medina might do to cease the Spanish onslaught, however finally he was one of many defenders on the pitch after they did rating.

Giuliano Simeone – 5

He labored his socks off after approaching, however he’ll all the time rue his missed in extra-time stoppage time. When the ball fell at his ft at a nook, he would’ve seen his title in lights. As a substitute, he fired his half volley over the bar.

Marcos Senesi – 5

Senesi put in a few first rate tackles, however his introduction instead of Alvarez was straight out of the Thomas Tuchel playbook. It condemned Argentina to try to maintain on – earlier than they’d conceded – they usually most likely wished they’d stored yet another attacker on.