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Who made the difference for Spain? World Cup final player ratings
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BBC Sport·1 day ago

Who made the difference for Spain? World Cup final player ratings

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Ferran Torres finally gives Spain a lead against Argentina

Spain have won the World Cup after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

BBC Sport journalist Neil Johnston assesses how the players performed in New Jersey - and you can see how BBC Sport readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.

Unai Simon: Came charging outside his box in the opening minutes which almost led to disaster before recovering to help Spain add the World Cup to their European triumph of two-years ago. 7

Marc Cucurella: Drove forward on numerous occasions and went close with a rare first-half attempt which whistled just wide. 7

Aymeric Laporte: Has been a rock at the back throughout the tournament – and so he was once again as Spain recorded a seventh clean sheet in eight games. 7

Pau Cubarsi: Once again provided a calm presence in defence as he has done all tournament. Only the second player on record (from 1966) to complete 100-plus passes in a World Cup final. 8

Pedro Porro: Followed up on his solid display in the semi-final to play a part in the move that produced the winning goal. 7

Fabian Ruiz: Worked hard in the engine room as Argentina struggled to impose their authority. 7

Rodri: Another controlled midfield performance from the captain as he helped his country to their first World Cup triumph since 2010. 7

Alex Baena: Put himself about and made a nuisance of himself. 7

Dani Olmo: Created chances and made a nuisance of himself on another glorious day for Spanish football after the Euros success of 2024 and the Nations League triumph of 2023. 7

Lamine Yamal: Ends the tournament with a World Cup winners medal at the age of 19. Will there be more to come? Had the first chance of the final after finding space inside the box. 7

Mikel Oyarzabal: Has been influential upfront for Spain but was kept quiet for large parts. Ends a glorious tournament as Spain's leading scorer with five goals. 7

Pedri (62 mins): Came on to bring energy into the side. 7

Ferran Torres (62 mins): Injected pace into Spain's play and was first to react when the ball fell to him in extra-time to seal the biggest prize of all for his country. 8

Nico Williams (75 mins): What an impact. Williams has had to remain patient at this tournament and has been limited to a string of substitute appearances. Spain looked dangerous each time he had the ball at his feet and played a huge role in the goal. 9

Mikel Merino (75 mins): Has proved to be an impact substitute at this tournament and again played his part on a glorious day for Spain. 6

Eric Garcia (99 mins) : Worked hard and put himself about after coming on in extra-time. 6

Martin Zubimendi (99 mins) : Did what he needed to as Spain wrote another glorious chapter in their football history. 6

Listen: Football Daily - Spain win the World Cup

Emiliano Martinez: Produced a fine save to keep out Lamine Yamal's free-kick right at the end of normal time. 6

Nicolas Tagliafico: Helped frustrate Spain for large spells before Argentina's 10-men were undone. 6

Lisandro Martinez: Booked for a foul from behind on Mikel Oyarzabal. Then replaced by Nicolas Otamendi before half-time after picking up an injury. 5

Cristian Romero: Helped ensure Mikel Oyarzabal – Spain's top scorer at this World Cup – was quiet. Booked for dissent. 6

Gonzalo Montiel: Showed great reactions to save a goal after Dani Olmo's low cross. 6

Nico Gonzalez: Replaced at half-time after Argentina failed to register an attempt in the first half. 5

Alexis Mac Allister: Fortunate to escape a caution after a late challenge on Dani Olmo. 5

Enzo Fernandez: Shocking challenge on Pau Cubarsi which resulted in a second yellow card and dismissal – Argentina's first red card at a World Cup since 2006. 4

Rodrigo De Paul: Struggled to influence the game and was replaced midway through the second half. 5

Julian Alvarez: Did not impose his authority on a day that belonged to Spain. 5

Lionel Messi: If this was his final appearance on the World Cup stage, what a sad end for the legend. Struggled to seriously test the Spain defence and finished the tournament on eight goals – two behind France's Kylian Mbapppe. 6

Nicolas Otamendi (41 mins): Came on towards the end of the first half for Lisandro Martinez and tried to make things happen before Argentina were undone by Enzo Fernandez's red card. 5

Leandro Paredes (46 mins): He had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was booked for shoving Rodri – and then was involved in ugly scenes at full time. 3

Nahuel Molina (50 mins) : Disappointing end to his World Cup as Argentina came unstuck in the final. 5

Facundo Medina (70 mins): Unable to help his country as the best team won. 4

Giovanni Simeone (70 mins): Unable to make an impact as the Copa America winners struggled and Simeone could not get into get into the game. 4

Marcos Senesi (102 mins): Could not impact the game as Argentina conceded for the sixth straight game and lost the final. 4

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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Sources: BBC Sport

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