In a World Cup of star scorers, Spain shows that defense is still king
· Yahoo Sports
This World Cup belonged to the scorers.
Kylian Mbappé making history with 10 goals. Erling Haaland powering Norway’s rowers. The possible swan song from Lionel Messi. Each helped this became the highest‑scoring World Cup since 1970.
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But in a heavyweight showdown between the top two teams in the FIFA world rankings, Spain kept one last offense seeing red.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium to claim its first World Cup title since 2010, and it did so by turning the world’s biggest tournament into a showcase of defensive precision. La Roja finished with 12 shots on goal in the final and didn’t allow Argentina a single one. The same Argentina that scored multiple goals in its seven other World Cup matches.
“Today, we were determined and convinced that this was our final,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “We wanted to win it, knowing we had to minimize the opponent's threats – of which there are many – so we could secure a decisive result. We’re very happy with the team's journey, the effort and hard work that have put us in a better position.”
Spain posted seven shutouts, the most ever by a World Cup team, and allowed only one goal across eight matches – the fewest ever by a champion. Before this year, the previous record was two, held by France (1998), Italy (2006) and Spain (2010). The back line was unshakeable: Marc Cucurella at left back, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí anchoring the middle, and Pedro Porro locking down the right side.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón spent most of the night as a spectator – along with the star‑studded, sellout crowd of 80,663 – but his tournament résumé was undeniable. The 29‑year‑old claimed the Golden Glove award after a five weeks of play that let Spain’s defenders play aggressively in front of him.
Spain’s breakthrough came after Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández picked up his second yellow in the 93rd minute. Even then, Spain had to wait. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez delivered one of the great finals performances, making 11 saves, a World Cup final record, and keeping the match level deep into extra time. But in the 106th minute, Spain finally found the only goal it needed when super sub Ferran Torres pounced on a loose ball headed into the middle of the box and buried it.
Spain finished with 65 percent possession and completed more than twice as many passes as Argentina. Its captain and midfield anchor summed up the team’s identity before the final.
“We're a very complete team,” said Rodri, who took home the Golden Ball as Player of the Tournament. “We're very difficult to defeat. We've shown this throughout the entire competition, conceding only one goal. We managed very well our box, the opponent's box and the middle of the park as well. So we don't have that many weaknesses.”
This was also an unprecedented World Cup. FIFA added hydration breaks in each half – to the benefit of sponsors and the chagrin of fans. New Jersey hosted the first‑ever World Cup halftime show, with Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS and others taking the field. Combined with the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, this World Cup shattered attendance records with over 6.8 million fans across three countries.
But in the end, defense was still king.
“(Our maturity) quality stems from the fact that they are good people,” de la Fuente said. “For a long time, people seemed surprised that a football team – beyond the heated, brilliant events on the pitch – is built on good people: people who show solidarity, people with values; individuals who prioritize the greater good.”
“That is what we do: choose people who fit into the collective.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: In a World Cup of star scorers, Spain shows that defense is still king