Spain Downs Messi's Argentina in World Cup Final For First Title Since 2010

For nearly the entire World Cup tournament, Argentina was able to make magic happen late in the match, largely thanks to Lionel Messi, but that finally ran out in the final against Spain.

With Enzo Fernández going out with a second yellow that turned into a red card for a foul on Spain’s Pau Cubarsí, Spain took advantage in a dramatic extra-time winner to claim their first World Cup title since 2010.

Down to 10 players, Argentina’s stubborn defense was finally broken and a shot finally got past courageous goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez as substitute Ferran Torres proved to be the difference maker.

It capped off a dramatic 1-0 finish for a tense, physical final.

The goal came from close range in the 106th minute after the Spanish squad had completely dominated possession for over 100 minutes and rattled off shot after shot on goal while Argentina had none.

That broke through finally for a game-winning reward as Argentina walked off licking their wounds.

To read more about the dramatic final finish that brought the World Cup title back to Spain, here is the full story from Football Roundtable writer Joe Ingman.

The complexion of the match completely changed with the red card to Fernández, who picked up a yellow in each half, leaving referee Slavko Vincic no choice but to issue the second that led to Argentina playing the rest of the match with a man down.

It showed. Messi and his squad failed to register a shot until the 117th minute when a shot by the Argentina superstar was finally blocked.

They were chasing the whole time as Spain controlled the tempo of the match in both regulation and extra time.

The defending champions won’t join Brazil’s 1962 squad as repeat winners.

It marks the end of a historic tournament that saw a 48-team format and the largest World Cup ever, with Spain ultimately going home victorious.