Spain secures second World Cup title, Messi reflects on final loss
Spain has claimed its second World Cup title, defeating Argentina in the final. The victory comes 16 years after their first triumph. Following the match, Lionel Messi of Argentina expressed his deep disappointment, stating that the pain from the loss would take time to heal.
The final match saw tensions rise, with a brawl reportedly breaking out after Spain’s 1-0 victory. Messi was not involved in the incident, which FIFA is expected to investigate. Despite the defeat, Messi acknowledged his team’s efforts and congratulated Spain on their championship win.
Spain’s path to victory
Spain’s journey to the title was marked by a strong performance throughout the tournament. They conceded only one goal, never fell behind in any match, and maintained dominance in possession and territory against all eight opponents. This success followed a period of poor World Cup results for Spain since their 2010 victory, including group stage exits and early knockout round eliminations in subsequent tournaments.
Confidence within the squad was high entering the finals, boosted by a series of positive results under coach Luis de la Fuente and their European Championship win two years ago. The team’s group stage draw, which included World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, allowed players recovering from injuries, such as wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, to regain fitness.
Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde ended in a goalless draw in Atlanta, a result that drew criticism from some media outlets. However, sources close to De la Fuente indicated that the draw did not alter the team’s internal message of calm and confidence. De la Fuente made four changes to his starting lineup for the second game against Saudi Arabia, which Spain won 4-0, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring two goals and assisting another for Yamal.
The squad’s unity was further solidified during a challenging group stage match against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico, where Alex Baena scored the only goal. Many players in the Spanish squad have a long history together, having played in youth ranks for over a decade, fostering strong relationships with each other and their coach.
Team cohesion and family support
De la Fuente’s coaching history with many of these players dates back to their youth careers. He guided a Spain team including Rodri and Merino to the Under-19 Euros title in 2015, and the Under-21 Euros in 2019 with players like Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal, and Unai Simon. With Pedri and Marc Cucurella, Spain also secured a silver medal at the Covid-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games under his leadership.
The team environment during the World Cup was described as phenomenal, with families and players interacting frequently at the team hotel. This emphasis on family was evident in goal celebrations, such as Oyarzabal dedicating his first goal against Austria in the round of 32 to his pregnant wife, and Fabian Ruiz doing the same against Belgium in the quarter-finals. Pedro Porro also dedicated his first goal for Spain to his 10-month-old son.
Unlike some other teams featuring high-profile forwards, Spain’s squad, including Oyarzabal, largely lacked such reputations. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) aimed to reduce external pressure on the squad, adopting a more open approach with journalists compared to previous tournaments. This strategy reportedly had a positive impact on team morale.
A tight round-of-16 game against Portugal was decided by a 91st-minute winner from Merino, who had recently returned from a foot operation. Merino’s ability to perform in crucial moments proved valuable for the team.
Messi’s reflections and future
Following Argentina’s loss in the final, Messi released a statement on his Instagram page, expressing the immense pain of the defeat. He thanked his fans and teammates, acknowledging their hard work and the support of their country. Messi also congratulated Spain on their victory.
The final match potentially marked the end of Messi’s World Cup career. While the next World Cup will be co-hosted by Argentina, Messi will be 43 years old at that time, making his participation seem unlikely. He was seen fighting back tears after receiving his second-place medal.
Despite the disappointment, Messi’s legacy in football remains significant, having achieved numerous accolades, including a previous World Cup victory for Argentina. His statement highlighted that the team had reached two consecutive World Cup finals.
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Source: nytimes.com
