rewrite this title 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 most one-sided World Cup finals in history. From Ferran Torres’ heroics to Lionel Messi’s last dance, here are the player ratings as Luis de la Fuente’s side claimed their second star…

Spain

Unai Simon – 5

Argentina literally didn’t have a shot until the 117th minute. Probably got a nice tan and certainly got his hands on the trophy.

Pedro Porro – 8

Was a consistent threat making runs off Lamine Yamal. It was his cross that eventually sparked the opener – a pinpoint delivery to Williams at the back post.

Pau Cubarsi – 6

Played with maturity beyond his years. There wasn’t much to do in terms of stopping Argentina, but he consistently remained calm whenever a threat was apparent. World Cup winner and Young Player of the Tournament.

Aymeric Laporte – 6

Had nothing to do defensively. Had a half chance late in normal time but couldn’t make enough purchase with his header.

Marc Cucurella – 7

Much like at the Euros two years ago, Cucurella raised his stock this summer and continued it with another fine performance at both ends of the pitch.

Rodri – 7

The midfield general. Kept the game ticking in Spain’s favour. Brought off in extra-time which considering is understandable given the risk playing beyond 90 minutes will have with his injury history.

Fabian Ruiz – 6

89 per cent pass completion and two chances created. A solid if not remarkable performance from the PSG man before his removal just after an hour.

Lamine Yamal – 5

Was this the day he took the crown from King Messi? Not quite. The teenage superstar was targetted and kept quiet, but he will accept that given the result.

Dani Olmo – 5

For all of Spain’s possession, it didn’t quite happen for Olmo. Not a lot happening in front of him in truth, so it was hard to pull the strings.

Alex Baena – 5

Whether it was Montiel or Molina, the Argentina right-backs were there to be got at. Baena combined well with Cucurella, but the introduction of Williams to add more pace made perfect sense.

Mikel Oyarzabal – 6

He was the only one to trouble Martinez in the first-half, but as is often the case, was sacrificed so Spain could go with an alternative approach up top.

Subs

Ferran Torres – 8

A moment he will never forget. A truly brilliant piece of composure and quality when it mattered most. His team-mates struggled to show it, but Ferran Torres had it in abundance. Forever to be the man who won the 2026 World Cup.

Pedri – 6

Looked smart on the ball and brought a little more energy in midfield than Fabian Ruiz.

Mikel Merino – 5

His moment looked like it came in extra-time as he got on the end of a cross just outside the six-yard box. The net should’ve bulged, but the super-sub missed his mark and chance to be a hero.

Nico Williams – 7

The substitute was brought on to make an impact, and thought he made the biggest one when he bundled the ball home for an extra-time opener only for it to be controversially ruled out. However, he had his moment by grabbing the assist for the winner with a smart nod back to Torres.

Martin Zubimendi – 5

Half of his game time was spent doing things he wasn’t brought on to do as Argentina pressed for a late equaliser. Not at Rodri’s level but fresh legs at an important time.

Eric Garcia – 6

Argentina were throwing the kitchen sink at Spain and Garcia added an extra defensive body to see the game out.

Argentina

Emi Martinez – 8

He started assured but as the game went on, Martinez grew shakier. There were a number of straightforward saves that he fumbled. He recovered his composure though, producing important saves to keep Argentina in it late on and into extra-time. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough.

Gonzalo Montiel – 5

Struggled going forward and often couldn’t keep up with the overlapping movement of Cucurella down the other end. Nothing on his World Cup winning moment four years ago.

Cristian Romero – 6

Had a lot of defending to do and with Martinez coming off just before half-time, he managed well next to Otamendi for the most part before limping off on 70 minutes.

Lisandro Martinez – 4

Maybe a tad harsh as he didn’t do anything egregiously wrong, but received a booking and was off injured all before half-time.

Nicolas Tagliafico – 6

Marshalled Lamine Yamal about as well as he could’ve done. The teenager certainly didn’t do anything of note and that’s a credit to the Argentina left-back.

Rodrigo De Paul – 5

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

Alexis Mac Allister – 5

Sat back with the rest of Argentina and wasn’t able to show what he was capable of in possession. Hampered by their approach to the game rather than his individual efforts.

Enzo Fernandez – 2

His absolutely stupid tackle in stoppage time on Cubarsi, having already been booked for talking back to the referee, put his team completely on the back foot going into extra time. They were already under the cosh, he made it worse.

No hands to his ears after that one.

Nico Gonzlalez – 6

Actually looked a threat when he had the opportunity to take the ball forward, but was withdrawn at half-time as Argentina looked far more defensive stability.

Lionel Messi – 4

If this is the end for Lionel Messi, it wasn’t how he would’ve dreamed it. He didn’t impact the game anywhere near anyone would’ve expected him to, but what a tournament. What a player.

The image of him sat on the floor, defeated, may be one of his last on a football pitch for all we know. If it is, then he goes with his head held high, even if he couldn’t find another moment of magical history.

Julian Alvarez – 3

Argentina played defensive and Alvarez couldn’t get involved. Replaced by centre-half in extra time which tells you all you need to know about how Lionel Scaloni was approaching the game.

Subs

Nicolas Otamendi – 6

An experienced name brought on for what is likely one last dance. Led the defence well enough until the inevitable happened.

Leandro Paredes – 2

Shocking. He came on, committed fouls, did nothing positive and then carried himself in such a poor manner come the final whistle to boot leading to a red card after the final whistle. He should be ashamed of himself.

Nahuel Molina – 3

Beaten at the back post by Williams to set up Torres’ winner. He then sparked ugly scenes at full-time by throwing a punch at Rodri as he rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates. A sore loser maybe trying to deflect from his role in the costly goal.

Facundo Medina – 5

Not much Medina could do to stop the Spanish onslaught, but ultimately he was one of the defenders on the pitch when they did score.

Giuliano Simeone – 5

He worked his socks off after coming on, but he will always rue his missed in extra-time stoppage time. When the ball fell at his feet at a corner, he would’ve seen his name in lights. Instead, he fired his half volley over the bar.

Marcos Senesi – 5

Senesi put in a couple of decent tackles, but his introduction in place of Alvarez was straight out of the Thomas Tuchel playbook. It condemned Argentina to try and hold on – before they had conceded – and they probably wished they had kept one more attacker on.

Player of the Match: Ferran Torres

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