Spain v Argentina LIVE: Latest updates from trophy parade as World Cup champions bask in glory

Spain’s World Cup triumph was sealed in New Jersey on Sunday, but the aftertaste of victory was bitter for Argentina. Ferran Torres’ second-half strike in extra time settled a drab final 1-0, ending Lionel Messi’s World Cup career in disappointment as chaotic scenes erupted at full-time. The champions returned to Madrid to a rapturous parade, while their vanquished opponents were left to process defeat and disgrace. The match was played at MetLife Stadium, where the Spanish team lifted their second men’s World Cup trophy in front of a partisan crowd that had largely backed Argentina.

From dull stalemate to decisive strike

The match offered little for 90 minutes, a cagey, disjointed affair where neither side could impose rhythm. Spain’s midfield laboured against Argentina’s deep block, with Rodri and Gavi particularly struggling to find space in the congested centre. The South Americans, meanwhile, relied on isolated counters through Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, but their final balls lacked precision. The deadlock held until extra time, when Torres broke through with a calm finish that silenced the MetLife Stadium crowd. The goal came in the 109th minute, a moment of clarity in a match starved of them. Messi, playing what is surely his final World Cup game, was denied the perfect farewell, his legacy of brilliance tarnished by the manner of defeat. His final touch of the tournament was a speculative effort from 25 yards that curled just wide in the 118th minute, the last meaningful attempt of the game.

Madrid’s streets awash with red and gold

The Spanish team arrived back in Madrid to a hero’s welcome, their open-top bus winding through streets thronged with supporters draped in red and yellow. A stage near Cibeles Palace hosted a festival atmosphere, with music blaring as fans sang along to Queen’s We Are The Champions and a playlist that mixed Daddy Yankee’s Gasolina with Justin Bieber’s Baby. Umbrellas dotted the sea of colours, shielding revellers from the sweltering heat as the bus inched forward. Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, presented medals and the trophy to the Spanish players before Donald Trump briefly intruded on the celebrations, positioning himself for a photo despite attempts to usher him away. The parade route was lined with confetti and banners, while the team’s bus was adorned with flags and scarves, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that stretched for kilometres.

Ugliness overshadows the triumph

The post-match chaos in New Jersey cast a shadow over Spain’s coronation. Punch-ups broke out as tempers flared, prompting FIFA to announce an investigation into the incidents. The disciplinary process will determine whether further sanctions are warranted, adding to the sense that the final’s legacy may be defined as much by the aftermath as the result. Argentina, already frustrated by their failure to impose themselves, were left to absorb the indignity of defeat and the disgrace of the scenes that followed. The chaos included clashes between players and staff, with at least three red cards shown in the immediate aftermath, while security personnel struggled to contain the situation. The Spanish FA later issued a statement condemning the violence and calling for calm.

Spain’s victory was a triumph of persistence over flair, a pragmatic statement that rewarded their refusal to crack under pressure. Yet the manner of their win—narrow, scrappy, and ultimately soured by violence—left a residue of unease. The parade in Madrid offered a chance to savour the moment, but the images from New Jersey served as a reminder that even in glory, football’s capacity for drama can curdle into something uglier. The contrast between the jubilation in the Spanish capital and the bitterness in Buenos Aires underscored the duality of the World Cup: a celebration of football’s unifying power, and a stage for its most divisive moments.