Four years ago, Argentina rode out countless storms en route to the title, eventually defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a breathtaking 3-3 draw in the final. This year’s showpiece in New York New Jersey saw La Albiceleste cede the throne to Spain, who claimed the crown by imposing order and maintaining constant control.
Spain capped their North American campaign with a display of technical and tactical excellence in the final, shutting down the opposition attack more effectively than ever. After stifling France and their fearsome forwards in a 2-0 semi-final win, the European champions turned their attention to Lionel Messi & Co, who became the latest victims of La Roja’s relentless march.
The Argentines had scored at least two goals in each of their previous matches, but this time they were uncharacteristically quiet. Lionel Scaloni’s men did not muster a single shot on target in 120 minutes, their only attempts coming in extra time and never truly troubling Unai Simon in the Spain goal.
“We’ve got a wonderful team,” said right-back Pedro Porro, speaking exclusively with FIFA. “We put up a great fight, right from the first minute. We’ve done that from the start against Cabo Verde, when we kept possession and created chances, but they just didn’t go in.”
In a match where the stakes could not have been any higher, Spain never lost their way or their focus. They controlled the tempo without ever losing their composure, just as they had in their 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16 and a 2-1 triumph over Belgium in the quarters, when the winning goal was slow to materialise. Aside from their technical dominance, the Spanish stayed remarkably calm at a time when doubt could easily have set in.
“We stayed true to our style, I think that’s obvious,” continued Porro.
Luis de la Fuente's side had laid the foundations for their North American campaign at EURO 2024 in Germany, but this time round their style of play also relied on lightning-fast counter-attacks with jet-heeled wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. They were perhaps more direct two years ago and were more willing to engage in open matches, conceding four goals in their four knockout matches.
In North America, however, they remarkably shipped just a solitary goal, scored by Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere, an unprecedented feat in the history of the tournament.
What has certainly changed over the past two years is the influence of the team’s metronome Rodri, for the tournament’s best player. Holding the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy in his arms, the midfield maestro explained to FIFA how Spain were able to dominate all of their opponents.
“I think we’re the team that handles the most game situations,” he said. “Pressing, possession, counter-attacks, set pieces… I think that, in every aspect of football, Spain are the team that can control the game the best.”
When Rodri steps up the pace, so do Spain. When he chooses to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm, the whole team follows suit with remarkable composure, without ever losing their shape. La Roja’s 2026 vintage is not content to simply dominate possession, however, as they also dictate what their opponents do when they have the ball.
The newly crowned world champions were perhaps slightly less spectacular than they were two years ago, but this time they made control their greatest strength.
“We knew we wouldn’t score a lot of goals,” admitted Porro. “But we also knew that we had what it took to compete with anyone. In the end, we were rewarded with a wonderful prize.”
Four years ago, it was Argentina who emerged victorious from a storm in Qatar. This year, it was Spain who lifted the trophy by bringing a sense of calm back to proceedings. In a tournament that always seemed destined to be dominated by the teams with the strongest attacks, it was ultimately La Roja who carved out a path to the very top of the global game.
Sources: FIFA Official
