Sorry Leo – Argentina’s anti-football didn’t deserve World Cup glory: Winners and losers as Messi bows out in tears while Spain set their sights on a dynasty of dominance
It was a war of attrition, but De la Fuente ultimately got his tactics just right yet again on the biggest stage. All of his second-half substitutions had exactly the desired effect, with Spain seemingly the only team that was looking for a goal in the 90 minutes, and two of them combined for the all-important strike in extra time.
Pedri seized control of the game after his introduction, creating more chances than anyone else (four) despite coming on shortly after the hour mark, Mikel Merino’s physicality provided a new attacking dimension and he came within a whisker of heading in the winner, and Williams was a far more direct threat than Alex Baena on the left flank. It was, of course, the latter who teed up fellow substitute Torres with a perfect reverse, downward header.
We could be witnessing the start of another Spanish dynasty under De la Fuente, who has proven himself to be a tournament expert both with La Roja’s youth ranks and the senior side. Having claimed the European Championship and World Cup back to back, this relatively young squad could be capable of years of dominance with him at the helm.
