The celebration has concluded, and Argentina’s late-game brilliance has finally come to an end. The World Cup final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, showcased a dominant performance from Spain, who took over 105 tense minutes before Ferrán Torres found the net with a powerful shot from a cutback header by Nico Williams. This victory marked La Roja’s second World Cup title, as Torres scored his first goal in this tournament. Here is the final recap from this summer’s soccer spectacle.
How did Spain achieve this remarkable feat? They executed a strategy similar to the one they used against a more talented French team, focusing on ball possession to frustrate their opponents. This approach was evident when Enzo Fernández received a red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí. While some fans may have preferred a more aggressive style of play, it is commendable that Spain maintained control throughout their matches and capitalized on scoring opportunities when necessary.
What impact does this have on Lionel Messi’s legacy? None at all. Although he did not secure a second World Cup title, Messi’s status as a football icon remains intact. At his age, he has achieved a level of excellence on the global stage reminiscent of Dino Zoff, who captained Italy to victory at 40 years old. During this tournament, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists, including two key assists in the semifinal that dashed England’s hopes. His exceptional performances overshadowed younger competitors, and he settled the long-standing debate over his superiority to Cristiano Ronaldo. While he may return to Inter Miami with a heavy heart, fans across the U.S. will honor his greatness as the MLS season resumes after his brief break. Most of us did not witness the primes of Pelé, Johan Cruyff, or Diego Maradona, but we can share stories of Messi’s poise and humility as he continuously carried his team to success.
What transpired with England? Reluctantly aligning with popular opinion, it is clear that Coach Thomas Tuchel’s decisions contributed to Argentina’s semifinal victory. After Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 56th minute, England had the opportunity to secure the win and eliminate Messi from the tournament. Instead, the manager opted to reinforce his defense, which may have been effective with only five minutes remaining, but with 35 minutes left, it allowed Argentina to regain control and mount a comeback. While it is justifiable to fear Messi as an opposing coach, Tuchel’s strategy lacked the aggressiveness that could have mirrored Spain’s successful ball control against Argentina. The coach who initially committed to playing England’s style ultimately compromised his principles, leaving the nation still waiting for another major men’s soccer title after 60 years.
What happened afterward? England triumphed over France in a spectacular third-place match that ended 6-4, yet Tuchel still maintains that his approach against Argentina was correct. The complexities of coaching in soccer can be perplexing.
How did Donald Trump influence this World Cup? His presence was felt throughout the event. The crowd’s boos during the trophy presentation were predictable, but it was unexpected that Trump remained on stage during Spain’s trophy lift, as if he had a role in their victory. This occurred shortly after he disparaged the country, labeling it as “full of hopeless, bad people.” Even José Mourinho, the new Real Madrid coach, would have likely shown more decorum. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s attempts to remove Trump from the stage were futile; he brought this embarrassment upon himself.
What motivated Trump’s actions? It is perplexing to consider why he behaved in such a manner. The economic landscape was favorable, yet he has exacerbated it by initiating an illegal conflict with Iran, causing soaring inflation and gas prices while leading to tragic losses on both sides. Additionally, his policies have resulted in troubling consequences domestically. As a result, Trump’s involvement in sports has been equally disastrous, with his attendance at a New York Knicks playoff game coinciding with their only loss. The fallout from his presidency is palpable, and the Spanish Football Association’s decision to edit him out of celebration photos has become a source of amusement on social media.
Switching gears, who would make your team of the tournament? Here’s a suggested lineup:
- GK: Vozinha (Cape Verde)
- CB: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
- CB: Cristián Romero (Argentina)
- CB: Marc Guéhi (England)
- RWB: Pedro Porro (Spain)
- LWB: Marc Cucurella (Spain)
- CMF: Rodri (Spain)
- CMF: Jude Bellingham (England)
- FW: Erling Haaland (Norway)
- FW: Kylian Mbappé (France)
- FW: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Bench players include Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina), William Saliba (France), Rúben Dias (Portugal), Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Lucas Digne (France), Elliot Anderson (England), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco), Mikel Merino (Spain), Michael Olise (France), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Julián Quiñones (Mexico), Vinícius Júnior (Brazil), and Ousmane Dembélé (France).
The coach of this hypothetical team would be Ståle Solbakken (Norway).
Which goals stood out during the tournament? Here is a ranked list of the best goals scored:
- Jude Bellingham (England) vs. France
- Malik Tillman (USA) vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Stephen Eustáquio (Canada) vs. South Africa
- Daizen Maeda (Japan) vs. Sweden
- Kylian Mbappé (France) vs. Senegal
- Hwang In-beom (South Korea) vs. Czech Republic
- Yasin Ayari (Sweden) vs. Tunisia
- Ismael Saibari (Morocco) vs. Brazil
- Kevin Pina (Cape Verde) vs. Uruguay
- Wilson Isidor (Haiti) vs. Morocco
- Gio Reyna (USA) vs. Paraguay
- Andreas Schjelderup (Norway) vs. England
- Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan) vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Julián Álvarez (Argentina) vs. Switzerland
- Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde) vs. Argentina
What lies ahead for American soccer? The MLS has paused its season during the World Cup, but it will resume soon with Messi and several players from Team USA and other nations, including Cape Verde. Coach Mauricio Pochettino is considering his future as his contract approaches its end. While U.S. Soccer is eager to extend his contract, he has garnered interest from high-profile club teams. Any developments will be reported in future articles. Looking ahead, the Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil next summer, allowing fans to enjoy matches without late-night viewings. We will continue to cover this event as well.
What memories will you take away from this World Cup? As anticipated, the on-field action brought everything together. Cape Verde’s extraordinary journey validated the inclusion of 48 countries in the tournament. Casual fans were introduced to Erling Haaland, and it is unlikely we will see another player with his unique skill set before encountering another talent like Messi. Despite a president who expresses disdain for the global community, ordinary Americans embraced the spirited Scotland fans, and Algerian players found a welcoming home in Lawrence, Kansas. A German tourist’s discovery of Waffle House became a delightful anecdote, and celebrity fans joined in the excitement like everyone else. That is the magic of the World Cup. Until next time…
