Spain Secure Second World Cup Crown

Spain were crowned world champions for a second time after a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina.

It was a largely attritional affair, with the defending champions happy to concede possession to Spain and break up play with a series of fouls and stoppages.

That contributed largely to a somewhat uneventful first half which saw the fewest number of shots on target in a World Cup Final since 1966.

Fortunately, entertainment was provided by a spectacular half-time show, which included Madonna being driven onto the pitch by Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in a dune buggy, while pop stars Justin Bieber and Shakira were both on hand to deliver some star quality at the break.

Back on the pitch, the second half continued in a similar vein to the first, with Spain dominating the ball and Argentina retreating to their own penalty area. Lionel Messi, so often the shining light in this side, was a peripheral figure in New York, seeing very little of the ball as his side were left spending most of their time destroying Spanish build-up.

Referee Slavko Vincic was somewhat lenient in the first half, booking only Lisandro Martinez, but he would later go on to brandish only the sixth red card in the history of World Cup Finals.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was booked on the hour for dissent after not being given a free-kick, and in the closing stages of second-half injury time, he inexplicably clattered into Pau Cubarsi, leaving Argentina with the task of getting through extra time with a one-man deficit.

And that pressure told at the beginning of the second half of extra time.

Spain sub Nico Williams did well to nod down a deep Pedro Porro cross, and Ferran Torres was on hand to smash home the loose ball and clinch a second Spanish World Cup success in 16 years.

For Argentina, it is surely the end of the World Cup road for Messi, who turned 39 during the tournament, while manager Lionel Scaloni, who has nothing left to prove after global and continental success with this side, looks set to move on.