The great failure of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era mostly flows from the draft. The former GM has had some great picks but they’ve been too skimpy.

So, the Vikings decided it was time for change.

Nolan Teasley is now the man in charge. Despite some initial uncertainty, Teasley is going to be the decision maker who gets the final call on the 53-man roster. He’ll therefore be able to make a clear and immediate impact on the final team in less than two months as he looks to push Minnesota from being pretty good to being great. How many draftees of the former GM survive?

How Many Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Picks Remain by September 1st?

Generally speaking, analytics nerds insist that getting more draft picks is a better outcome. So, the 2022 NFL Draft should have yielded positive results for the Vikings since the franchise chose ten players. Check out the haul:

• Lewis Cine
• Andrew Booth
• Ed Ingram
• Brian Asamoah
• Akayleb Evans
• Esezi Otomewo
• Ty Chandler
• Vederian Lowe
• Jalen Nailor
• Nick Muse

None of those players remain with the Vikings. In a sense, Adofo-Mensah went 0/10, but that’s too bleak of an assessment. The reality is that he did nail one selection: opting for Nailor in the 6th. He’s now playing alongside Kirk Cousins in Sin City. Seeing the former WR3 walk for meaty money means that the Vikings are set to earn a compensatory selection for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Somehow, the drafting didn’t get too much better. He snagged a half dozen talents in the 2023 NFL Draft:

• Jordan Addison
• Mekhi Blackmon
• Jay Ward
• Jaquelin Roy
• Jaren Hall
• DeWayne McBride

Of those six, the prize is Addison. He’s among the Vikings’ best players. Staying out of trouble off the field will involve seeing the WR2 eventually break through for 1,000-yard seasons. Otherwise, only Jay Ward remains (he’s got potential).

The most pivotal Vikings draft of recent history rested in 2024. Seeing J.J. McCarthy become the team’s long-term QB1 would dramatically change how Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s time as GM is remembered. The kid has a ton to prove, especially with so much attention on his battle with Kyler Murray.

The entire draft:

• J.J. McCarthy
• Dallas Turner
• Khyree Jackson
• Walter Rouse
• Will Reichard
• Michael Jurgens
• Levi Drake Rodriguez

First, a note on the corner: Mr. Jackson. He passed away not long after being drafted. Adofo-Mensah, and the Vikings more broadly, had nothing but excellent things to say of him.

Turner has yet to come close to justifying his draft slot. Rouse looks like a fringe roster candidate. Reichard is incredible, Jurgens a depth option, and Rodriguez appears ready for another step forward. A ton still hinges on McCarthy.

Finally, the 2025 NFL Draft:

• Donovan Jackson
• Tai Felton
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Kobe King
• Gavin Bartholomew

Nobody from this cluster of talent has become elite. Jackson, though, oozes ability. He’s a rugged, tough guy who looks likely to be an excellent player. Ingram-Dawkins, as well, looks like he’s got a shot to do something really impressive.

Do the final tally and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made 27 selections (Jackson’s selection is being excluded). Already, that total is down to just 12 players remaining. How many will be left standing after the next set of cuts?

Guys like Felton, Rouse, and Bartholomew aren’t locks to get onto the team. Maybe somebody gets moved in a trade. What would be a very poor outcome, though, is seeing 10 (or less) homegrown talents left on the Vikings’ roster after the four years of Adofo-Mensah’s drafting. Were that issue to occur, then the Vikings would be getting unusually low value out of the draft pipeline of recent seasons.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is now back with the 49ers.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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When brilliant Spain teenager Lamine Yamal embraced a tearful Lionel Messi at the end of the World Cup final, it looked and felt symbolic. A passing of the torch.

Messi, at 39, gazed long and hard at Argentina‘s fans packed around the New York New Jersey Stadium as they sang his name after what may be the last time he graces the game’s biggest stage.

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And, with the world watching, it was Lamine Yamal who offered the great Argentina icon consolation before they fell into each other’s arms.

Barcelona‘s number 10 embracing their most legendary number 10.

A different image to the amazing photo of a 20-old Messi bathing a six-month-old Lamine Yamal in September 2007 as part of a charity calendar raffle that went viral once more in the build-up to this game.

The baby boy is now a man, and Messi may be at the end of his World Cup journey.

Lamine Yamal – two decades younger and still in the infancy of his career – has effectively completed international football by lifting the World Cup two years after he came to wider prominence by winning the Euros when Spain beat England.

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He, like Messi a product of Barcelona, came into the tournament troubled by a hamstring injury, but ended it as the youngest player – at 19 years and six days – to win both the World Cup and Euros.

And one of the key storylines contained within this disappointing World Cup final was how Lamine Yamal’s influence was assisted by the purist strategies of his Spain team-mates – while Messi was betrayed by Argentina’s provocative approach.

It yielded nothing, which was what it deserved.

Spain and Lamine Yamal have grown through the tournament to leave him with the world at his feet and football’s two greatest prizes in his pocket.

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As well as having glorious natural gifts, he is also Spain’s lucky charm. They completed their domination of the international stage with Ferran Torres‘ decisive 106th-minute strike in extra time.

Lamine Yamal has yet to lose for his country in the 28 competitive matches he has played. He has started 13 games at major tournaments and won all of them – the longest 100% win rate of any European player across major tournaments when starting.

He also became – along with 19-year-old Spain team-mate Pau Cubarsi – just the fourth and fifth teenagers to start a World Cup final and win, after Pele for Brazil in 1958, Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi in 1982 and Kylian Mbappe with France in 2018.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente spoke afterwards of his “sincere gratitude” to Lamine Yamal.

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“He has played great football that will help him to mature and be even a greater footballer than he already is,” he said.

“He really sacrificed for the collective good. This is very important in my squad. In my opinion he played a great World Cup.”

And this is not simply a special talent, it is a special talent with a special temperament.

He shrugged off Argentina’s obvious attempts to intimidate him as he regularly came into close contact with Nicolas Tagliafico in particular.

Former England goalkeeper and BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart summed it up well.

“Not only did Lamine Yamal not react,” he said. “He stood up to it. He was not rattled and he did not back down. He had the entire team trying to smash him.

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“He just stayed real cool. It was real standout performance from him.

“Lamine Yamal is 19 years old. What a beautiful day for him. He’s 19 and has completed football.”

With virtually his whole career in front of him, and taking in the experience and influence of Spain team-mates such as his captain and player of the tournament Rodri, there is every chance Lamine Yamal will add more successes like this before he is done.

Argentina spoilers wreck Messi’s World Cup hopes

The joy of Lamine Yamal was the sharpest of contrasts to Messi, who looked heartbroken as he stared into those massed ranks of Argentina supporters, the realisation perhaps dawning that this would be the final time he would take such adoration at the World Cup.

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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, like Messi trying to win a second successive World Cup, became highly emotional when asked whether this was the legendary attacker’s final game in the tournament – while also reflecting on his own future with his contract due to expire in December.

Scaloni said he had not spoken to Messi, before bursting into tears himself then leaving the news conference.

Messi’s cause was not helped here by Argentina’s confrontational approach from virtually the first whistle, which left their inspiration and leader effectively a passenger for most of the game.

Spain’s victory was a victory for football because Argentina appeared to be focused on anything but that from early on, when Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic exercised the sort of leniency that has infuriated opponents throughout the World Cup.

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Alexis Mac Allister‘s poor challenge on Dani Olmo received nothing more than a brief admonishment, prompting Spain fans to ironically chant the name of Fifa president Gianni Infantino. It was another nod to the conspiracy theorists who claim Argentina’s road to the final has been smoothed out by officialdom.

It was 40 minutes before Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez received the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal – greeted with heavy sarcasm by many inside this vast bowl of a stadium.

To see Argentina’s obvious talent, which they displayed by overpowering England in the semi-final, reduced to such spoiling tactics was a dismal sight, hardly designed to aid Messi’s genius and influence.

Messi even got in the act by suggesting the referee should send off Spain’s Marc Cucurella for talking with his hand over his mouth – punishable by a red card if employed in a confrontational manner at this World Cup.

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It came after the low point of Argentina’s performance, Enzo Fernandez‘s senseless charge at Cubarsi just before the game went into extra time. The Chelsea midfielder was not even looking at the ball when he flattened his opponent. A second yellow card was fully deserved.

Argentina were the first team in the tournament’s history not to have a shot in 90 minutes of a World Cup final. When it did come, in the 117th minute and with desperation mounting, Messi fired off target.

Spain had 12 shots on target, Argentina had none in the entire game.

In a shocking first half, Argentina committed more fouls than passes in the final third of the pitch. Nine as opposed to eight. It summed their approach.

Argentina’s players joined Messi in shedding tears after the final whistle, though even that ended in an undignified scrum between players and officials from either side.

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Leandro Paredes – as he was too often after coming on as substitute for the second half – was the aggressor, grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat. He was also involved as Spain’s Gavi was thrown to the ground.

This outstanding World Cup should not be remember for such an unsavoury finale.

Spain may not have been at their best in the final, but they have developed throughout the World Cup, from the shock of being held to a draw in their opening game by Cape Verde to ultimate glory.

The World Cup got the winners it deserved, and in Lamine Yamal it has a star of future tournaments.

Messi’s unforgettable World Cup era may be over – but the Lamine Yamal years could go on for a long time to come.

Argentina’s World Cup ended with punches thrown and the former champions left in disgrace following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final.

There were chaotic scenes after the full-time whistle in New Jersey as the Spain substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate victory.

Nahuel Molina, the Argentina defender, appeared to swing a punch into the stomach of Spain captain Rodri as he ran past him onto the field.

Then, there was a violent clash involving midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was pictured shoving Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Paredes wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the ground and pushed into his face while holding him by his substitute bib.

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Rodri sprinted past Molina after the final whistle was blown and La Roja were crowned champions.

Molina appeared to swing at Rodri, leading to the Spain captain stopping in his tracks and approaching the Argentina defender while shouting.

Molina then squared up to Rodri and bumped him in the chest, which was the flashpoint that triggered Spain’s Eric Garcia to step in.

Paredes, who was booked during the final and was fortunate to not receive a second yellow card, then flew towards Garcia. He jabbed him in the throat just as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni approached, wagging his finger and trying to break up the scuffles.

With Scaloni separating Garcia and other Argentina coaching staff members getting involved, Paredes then turned his attention to Spain’s 21-year-old midfielder Gavi – who by that point was already wrestling with Argentina’s Thiago Almada.

Paredes, 32, spun Gavi to the ground and appeared to push into his face while holding him by the bib. Several of Gavi’s Spanish team-mates then stepped in to shield him, with Spain’s Borja Iglesias crashing into Paredes.

It was a sorry way for Argentina’s tournament to end after they had taken an emotional path to the final. They were attempting to a second World Cup in a row for captain Lionel Messi, who was playing on the World Cup stage for the final time.

But the antics of the rest of the Argentina team were quickly condemned as the scenes after the final whistle soured Spain’s deserved victory, with former England goalkeeper Joe Hart labelling Argentina’s behaviour “disgusting”.

“It’s a disgrace,” Gary Neville said on ITV. “I love the competitiveness of the Argentines, fighting and scrapping for their lives, Messi has propped them up, but it’s been a disgrace the last few games.”

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them,” Alan Shearer said on BBC. “There is no place or space for that.

“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

BBC pundit Hart said: “There was one man on the pitch who did have class and that was Lionel Messi, who shook hands with every one of those Spanish players.“The game’s done. They could have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”

Hart added: “Spain fully deserve it. They have been absolutely superb all tournament.“They have dominated all game against a rigid, rugged Argentina. The best team has won this World Cup.”

Argentina were previously criticised for their aggressive behaviour during their 2-1 semi-final win over England, after which players unveiled a banner claiming sovereignty of the Falklands Islands.

Fellow pundit Wayne Rooney said of Argentina’s behaviour: “Does it surprise you? It doesn’t surprise me.“We’ve seen this with Argentina before. It’s just not the reaction you want. We’ve seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round.“That’s just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It’s really poor from them.”

ITV’s co-commentators were in agreement that Spain were deserved winners, with Lee Dixon accusing Argentina of “anti-football” and questioning how Paredes had remained on the pitch, while Ally McCoist said Spain were “the only team trying to win this game”.

Meanwhile, the tears rolled down Lionel Messi’s face as he watched the Argentina fans following defeat to Spain.

Messi, 39, is yet to confirm his future plans but the expectation is that one of the greatest to grace the game has played his final World Cup before retirement.

The Argentina captain was left frustrated as Spain dominated the final, with the European champions winning 1-0 thanks to Ferran Torres’ goal after extra time.

Messi had inspired a series of brilliant comebacks in the knockout stages to help Argentina to a second successive final but Spain were deserved winners.

Messi scored eight goals in an incredible tournament and the Argentina fans chanted his name as Spain’s Rodri collected the player of tournament award.

Messi then led his team-mates to collect their runners-up medals. He then stood and cried while he watched the Argentina fans serenade him.

The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 43 at the next men’s World Cup, which takes place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco – but will kick off in Argentina.

Messi waited until Spain lifted the World Cup, but then quickly left the pitch in what was perhaps a bitter end to his World Cup journey.

By playing in the final, Messi became just the third player to appear in three men’s World Cup finals – after Brazil’s Cafu.

Elsewhere, Argentina centre-back Cristian Romero snubbed Donald Trump’s handshake during the presentation of the runners-up medals.

Romero started the match at the heart of the Argentine defence, alongside Lisandro Martinez, but was subbed off at the 70-minute mark.

However, the 28-year-old Tottenham defender still made his mark after that as he snubbed a handshake from Trump when the US president was conducting the medal presentation.

Trump was handing out medals to both teams, as well the individual tournament awards, and Romero shook the hand of both Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who were either side of Trump, but did not engage with the US president.

Don’t cry for them, Argentina. Some tears were shed by Lionel Messi, after an unsatisfactory end to one of the great World Cup careers. But his team-mates merit rather less sympathy. What had been a valiant, dramatic and compelling attempt to retain the World Cup ended with a lack of discipline, creativity and, above all, shots.

The historic feat, it transpired, was not becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups, but in being officially the least attacking team ever in a final. Argentina had no shot of any kind in 90 minutes, an xG of 0.00 when it went to extra time. Spain had 20 shots before Argentina’s first, in the 121st minute.

All this with a man who has been involved in more World Cup goals than anyone else, who many believe is the greatest footballer ever. A team with Messi should not be this dull, this focused on delaying and disrupting.

But after Fifa wasted everyone’s time getting into the MetLife Stadium, Argentina wasted their time inside it. If anything can be savoured from their exercise in nothingness, it is the thought they may have bored Donald Trump and the battalion of celebrities who somehow acquired tickets that could have gone to actual supporters.

The many actors among them may have been bemused: this was a supposed blockbuster that was often lacking in drama, where the eventual starring role was assumed by Ferran Torres, a minor character who did not figure in the first hour. Messi, the man with top billing, endured an uncharacteristic descent into anonymity.

His eventual tally stands at three World Cup finals; one won, two 1-0 defeats. For six weeks, the improbable had come to feel possible: that, at 39, he could create the 2022 final, when scored two goals and lifted the trophy. This World Cup had felt a continuation of the last for Messi: when he scored in the first five games, took Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record, closed in on the Golden Boot. In a country where many spend fortunes trying to prevent the ageing process – perhaps some of Fifa’s famous guests among them – Messi seemed to have found a method that involved nothing more than footballing talent.

But this was a first game this World Cup he has not really influenced. He scored in the first five, stirred late on against Switzerland, made both goals against England. Julian Alvarez, a forward who may command a £150m fee, ended up on the left of midfield before he was substituted.

And Argentina’s lack of ambition was staggering. Perhaps their capacity for late goals convinced them they did not need to try and score early on. And yet it was only Torres’ belated strike that brought them to life. Part of it could be attributed to Spain’s watertight defence, but only part. It underlined that, until now, a team with a lack of pace or width had prospered because largely because of an over-reliance on Messi.

As he was starved of service, Argentinian resorted to anti-futbol. They have often showed the best side of their footballing traditions in this tournament. In the biggest game, they doubled down on their worst instincts.

As finals involving Argentina go, this was more 1990 than 2022, 1986 or 1978. Enzo Fernandez’s deserved dismissal may have highlighted his stupidity in getting booked for dissent. When he sent Pau Cubarsi flying, however, he may have been fortunate only to get a second yellow card. The third Argentinian to be sent off in a World Cup final was reluctant to leave the pitch. Perhaps Argentina had got away with enough skulduggery of late that Fernandez believed he was immune to such a sanction.

Fifa may yet need to take action against another Argentinian. Leandro Paredes was summoned at half-time. Argentina’s resident prince of darkness was soon in the book for an off-the-ball barge on Rodri. After the final whistle, he threw Gavi to the ground; perhaps a punch or two, as well.

After Fernandez’s red card, Argentina’s task became tougher. In their defence of the trophy, defence became the operative word. Emi Martinez was increasingly busy; increasingly impressive, too, with a fine save from Lamine Yamal’s free kick and a still better one from Nico Williams’ header.

But over 120 minutes, it became harder to believe this side had won one World Cup and two Copa Americas. They were outclassed and out-passed by Spain, arguably the first top-class team they have met en route. When the draw was made, they could have been pitted against Portugal in the last eight and Brazil in the last four. They got neither. They still almost stumbled at every hurdle. They conjured dramatic finishes in four knockout rounds, but they required them, too.

At the last, they tarnished memories of those victories and their glory days. Argentina were unedifying and unthreatening. But a signature song of one of New Jersey’s favourite musical sons, Frank Sinatra, had been played before kick-off and ultimately Argentina did it their way.

A promising juvenile colt, Joint Venture, is now on a path towards early season three-year-old feature races after achieving a significant win at Rosehill.

Purchased for $625,000 as a yearling by the Newgate stallions syndicate, the finely bred son of I Am Invincible showed considerable improvement from his initial placing at Wyong, demonstrating his class in Saturday’s Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m).

Trainer Chris Waller noted that Joint Venture is still developing, but the victory as a two-year-old will be a valuable addition to his record and a strong foundation for potentially stepping up in grade.

“It’s also a good time of year to give a horse like him confidence,” Waller said. “You can see how much he does wrong at the start and in the straight. You can’t get confidence if they’re in a tough race doing things wrong, but at this time of year they can.”

Waller will monitor Joint Venture’s recovery from Saturday’s race but will not hesitate to challenge him against more experienced rivals in the coming weeks if the horse continues to impress.

“You can take on the better three-year-olds with a bit of fitness, and you can be competitive,” Waller stated. “We’d be pushing on, I’d say. He won’t get over too far (in journey), too quickly, but we will concentrate over the next few weeks on getting his ring craft right. If we get that right, there is a lot of improvement to come.”

Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Joint Venture ($8.50) saluted by three-quarters of a length from Gatineau ($6.50), who battled on well after leading, with Seeiaye ($2.30 favourite) holding on for third. Joint Venture returned $8.50 with leading betting apps Australia.

Spain are world champions after a dominant win over Argentina in the final of the 2026 World Cup, with Ferran Torres giving La Roja a famous win in New Jersey.

Both sides played out a scrappy first half, and though Spain were dominant as they stifled the holders, neither side could fashion a clear-cut chance, save for one early effort from Lamine Yamal that was blocked by Lisandro Martinez.

The second half played out in similar fashion, with Argentina failing to have a shot in 90 minutes before Enzo Fernandez changed the game, the midfielder sent off for a poor challenge on Pau Cubarsi as he earned two yellow cards in around 10 minutes.

It left Argentina with a mountain to climb in extra time as they looked to fight back against Spain’s dominance, and eventually the advantage told, with Torres opening the scoring after a clever header from Nico Williams.

In the end, it was enough for Spain to secure a win that was far more dominant than the scoreline suggests, with Luis de la Fuente producing a managerial masterclass to give La Roja their second World Cup triumph.

Here’s how the players rated in the World Cup final:

Spain

Unai Simon, 6: The Spain keeper was alert early on to stop Messi going clean through, but that was almost the only thing he had to do all game as Argentina failed to have a shot before 90 minutes.

Pedro Porro, 7: The Tottenham man defended well when called upon, notably when shepherding Gonzalez off the ball after a promising opening for Argentina. He was always willing to join the attack and provided another outlet to help Spain dominate possession, and it was his cross that led to Torres’ goal in extra time.

Pau Cubarsi, 7: The Barcelona youngster has benefitted from Spain’s settled displays and has formed a superb partnership with Laporte. He was once again mostly untroubled throughout this game as La Roja didn’t face a single shot within 90 minutes. He did well to nip in and beat Fernandez in the challenge that led to the red card, and helped make a decisive late block to keep Spain ahead.

Aymeric Laporte, 7: As with Cubarsi, he was almost entirely untroubled during his time on the pitch, as a consequence of both his own composure and skill as well as Spain’s near-flawless gameplan. Was forced to block off Messi late on at the expense of a yellow, but it was worth it, and he was later subbed in extra time. An impressive end to a near-flawless tournament for the Bilbao man.

Marc Cucurella, 7: Like his teammates, the full-back defended diligently when called upon, though he was rarely called upon. Instead, he was more impressive in possession, flashing an effort wide of the far post and constantly offering an outlet for his teammates, even in the final third.

Rodri, 8: The Spain midfielder may well be chasing another Ballon d’Or, and performances like this will certainly help his cause. He was at the centre of everything for much of the game, leading the Spain build-up, mopping up loose balls and breaking up rare Argentina attacks. This type of midfield performance is not as lauded as ones with goals or assists, but it’s so important to how this Spain team functions, and has led them to a second World Cup triumph.

Dani Olmo, 6: The Barcelona man could have had an assist early on after a lovely lay-off to Yamal. He is to the Spain attack what Rodri is to the defence and the build-up, though today it didn’t click in the final third despite Spain’s dominance of the ball.

Fabian Ruiz, 6: Helped Spain dominate possession in the opening stages as they suffocated Argentina. Showed flashes of his ability during some slick passing moves, and is another who showed why he’s important to the Spain set-up, even if he was unable to directly affect the game before coming off.

Lamine Yamal, 6: Should probably have made it 1-0 with an early chance, though it was blocked well by Martinez. He provided a constant threat down the right but he was not his usual self, albeit he often found Argentina doubling up – or even tripling up – in defence. A quiet day for the 19-year-old, though he can afford a few of those in a team this talented.

Mikel Oyarzabal, 6: It wasn’t to be for the Real Sociedad man, who could not repeat his heroics from the Euro 2024 final. He was fairly anonymous throughout, with his only effort of note testing Martinez outside the box. Showed flashes of why he’s important to the team but was not able to get as involved in attacks as he’d have liked.

Alex Baena, 6: The Atletico Madrid man didn’t have a lot to do in terms of defensive duties, but he was largely ineffective in attack during his time on the pitch, though he did dovetail well with Cucurella down the left.

Subs

Ferran Torres, 8: The nature of Spain’s play arguably means that their designated ‘centre-forward’ is one of the least involved players at times, and so it proved as both Oyarzabal and Torres struggled to impose themselves in attack. However, the Barcelona man has proven adept at picking his moment at club level, and he did so again as he arrived in the box to fire in an accomplished finish for the winner.

Pedri, 7: Pedri is another player who might have been surprised by the number of minutes he’s seen this summer, but he slotted in seamlessly after coming on and was brilliant throughout, hardly putting a foot wrong as Spain began to turn the screw. He may not benefit from the synergy between Rodri, Ruiz and Olmo at the moment, but the Barcelona youngster will lead this team for years to come.

Mikel Merino, 7: The Arsenal man has been Spain’s surprise package so far this tournament and he was unlucky to have a foul ruled against him in the build-up to the disallowed goal. Headed wide from a great Williams cross when he probably should have scored.

Nico Williams, 8: The winger changed Spain’s attack after coming on, with his skilful dribbling, pace and directness causing problems as soon as he entered the pitch. He was unlucky to have a goal ruled out, and equally unlucky to see a superb cross headed wide by Merino, though he eventually got his assist after great work at the back post in heading down the cross for Torres’ winner. While he has had to sit on the bench at times throughout this tournament, this was another memorable final performance for the world and European champion.

Martin Zubimendi, 6: Came on to replace Rodri, and as was the case with the Euro 2024 final, slotted seamlessly into midfield. Probably benefitted from Spain’s numerical advantage, but was solid enough.

Eric Garcia, 6: Came on to shore up the defence but had little to do as Argentina tired and Spain’s numerical advantage told.

Manager rating: Luis de la Fuente, 9: The flawless display from Spain was largely down to a manager who has proven himself as one of the best in the world in recent years. La Roja were imperious as they nullified all of Argentina’s threats in a dominant display, limiting Argentina to just two shots and none on target while providing plenty of attacking threat. His subs were inspired too, with two combining to score the goal that won them the World Cup.

Argentina

Emi Martinez, 7: Eventually made a good stop from Yamal after Martinez’s deflection early on. Made a routine save from Torres’ close-range header before fumbling another long-range effort, but made a great save from a late Yamal free-kick. Made another good save from Williams early into extra time, a second in the lead-up to the disallowed goal, and could do little about the winner from Torres.

Gonzalo Montiel, 6: The defender was another who came into the side after a good cameo against England, but he had little to do early on up against an ineffective Alex Baena. Nevertheless, he was alert to make a clearance and stop Cucurella from having a free effort at goal in the second half just before he came off.

Cristian Romero, 6: The Tottenham man was not troubled too much in the first half despite Spain’s possession, and dovetailed well again with Martinez before the latter came off. He was subbed after the second hydration break, presumably due to injury of some sort, in a disappointing end to another tournament to remember. Can hold his head high alongside Martinez.

Lisandro Martinez, 6: A huge disappointment for the Manchester United defender, who was forced off inside the first half due to injury. He did make a solid contribution though, providing a decisive block early on to help Martinez stop a golden chance for Yamal. He was not troubled too much in the first half despite Spain’s possession, though was first to be booked after scything down Oyarzabal on the counter.

Nicolas Tagliafico, 5: Struggled up against Yamal early on, and somehow escaped a yellow card after bringing him down on the counter. Was helped out when they doubled up in defence, but offered little in attack and is another who will likely be retiring soon.

Nico Gonzalez, 5: His brief cameo against England was enough to earn the winger a starting berth but he was largely ineffective as Argentina toiled in the first half, before being replaced by Leandro Paredes at half-time.

Alexis Mac Allister, 6: The midfielder was probably lucky to escape an early yellow, and even more so after what looked like a fairly deliberate handball. However, he provided some badly needed composure in the first half, though he was also limited in what he could do in the face of Spain’s dominance.

Enzo Fernandez, 3: Having been the hero against England in an impressive outing, the Chelsea man was largely anonymous throughout the opening 90 minutes as himself and his midfield partners struggled to gain a foothold in the game. In the end it was a pathetic, petulant exit as dissent and a ridiculous foul saw him sent off in stoppage time, just as Argentina looked like they might be making their way into the game.

Rodrigo De Paul, 5: Couldn’t impose himself on this game as he did in his cameo against England, and could do little to help his side as Spain dominated possession. Largely anonymous, but through no fault of his own.

Lionel Messi, 5: The 39-year-old was kept unusually quiet in the first half as his side were stifled, and it was more of the same in the second half as Spain began to turn the screw and nullify their opponents. In the end it was a step too far for the little genius, who couldn’t do it all on his own this time, and was limited by a near-perfect tactical display from La Roja.

Julian Alvarez, 5: Another who was unable to make any sort of impact during his time on the pitch. It was a notably muted performance, but he got little help from his midfield and even his attacking partners.

Subs

Nicolas Otamendi, 6: Cleared well from a slick Spain attack and overall performed well in extremely difficult circumstances, though was powerless to prevent the defeat in the end.

Leandro Paredes, 4: Came on at half-time and his first meaningful act was to get a yellow for a needless challenge and reaction. Struggled throughout, though perhaps through no fault of his own as Spain completely nullified their opponents. His time at this level is done, and he showed his frustration at the final whistle.

Giuliano Simeone, 5: The winger was a victim of his side’s muted performance, though he offered little in attack or as an outlet, and lacked composure as he blasted over from near the penalty spot in extra-time stoppage time.

Facundo Medina, 5: Was up against it as he came on for Romero, and while he did well to hold firm for so long, he could do little about the goal.

Nahuel Molina, 4: Another who was up against it as Spain began to dominate but lost Williams as the Spain winger headed down for the opener.

Marcos Senesi, 5: Could do little as he was forced to defend wave after wave of Spain pressure.

Manager rating: Lionel Scaloni, 5: The Argentina boss has previously proven himself an astute manager but he was outclassed here by his Spanish counterpart. Part of that is down to his inferior squad options, but his changes made little difference and he was powerless to prevent his side delivering an abject performance.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Ferran Torres spent an extended amount of time lying on the pitch at MetLife Stadium, a right he had earned after breaking the deadlock in Sunday’s World Cup final 106 minutes into the game. The Spain attacker was hardly the only one breathing a sigh of relief, though, as he put his team on course to win a second title, 1-0, at Argentina’s expense.

The World Cup villains, after all, had finally been slayed.

Less than four years after the world championed Lionel Messi, before he won the title that had eluded him, Argentina literally pulled a line from one of film’s most famous bad guys — they did not die the heroes, instead living long enough to become the villains. Their run to Sunday’s World Cup final was improbable because it was obvious that a golden generation was on its dying embers. Messi, still brilliant, was well past his prime at 39. Argentina were not as deep as some of their competitors for the title, Spain chief among them. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played the entire tournament with a broken hand, refusing to undergo surgery despite receiving advice from medical professionals to do so.

They could have slipped into plucky underdog territory and they almost did, but circumstances favored them in ways few could foresee. Nine of their 11 goals in the knockout stages came after the 75th minute, resulting in dramatic comebacks that saw them snatch victories from the likes of Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England. Refereeing fortune favored them, even when Spain had a goal disallowed moments after extra time began. They did not take a shot until the 117th minute on Sunday, a feat for a team that has benefitted from Messi pulling a rabbit out of a hat on days he is invisible.

At long last, it did not work.

It is to Spain’s credit that Argentina ran out of their inexplicable magic. Luis da la Fuente’s team never abandoned Plan A and had been the better team all afternoon. A tepid first half, where they took just three shots, gave way to a second half that showcased both their intention and their talents with the World Cup trophy on the line. They took 12 shots in the second half alone, all while possessing and passing their way around Argentina. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, was in peak form. The opponents applied little pressure on him, and he had free rein in midfield, which was never a guarantee at age 30 and on the back of an ACL injury that he recovered slowly from — but just in time for the World Cup.

Spain’s ability to render their opponents useless kicked in sooner rather than later. In what was likely his World Cup swan song, Messi managed just 54 touches on the ball in 120 minutes, well below his per-game average of 77.52 in the build-up to Sunday’s game. There was no fairytale ending from a star whose brilliance feels inevitable, but who already has nearly universal adoration and appreciation. He missed out on a second World Cup title, the golden boot award and the competition’s all-time goalscoring record in one fell swoop.

It was perhaps a harsh end for Messi in particular, who had once again carried Argentina as far as he could take them, but an appropriate conclusion for a team that had perhaps stumbled into a World Cup final. They may have gotten close to the trophy but did not play like World Cup winners on Sunday, mustering two shots in 120 minutes and generating just 0.17 expected goals along the way. They may have limited Spain to 1.94 expected goals from 20 shots, but even if the conversion rate was low, they had played well enough to get at least one of those shots across the line.

Argentina opts for cynicism

The trajectory is stunning, if not all that surprising. Scaloni chose a cynical strategy where Argentina absorbed as much pressure as they could, opted out of going forward for the most part and tried to make the game physical to disrupt Spain’s momentum. It nearly worked, but that is mostly due to Martinez’s efforts in goal. Argentina were the most notable “vibes only” World Cup contender in recent memory, especially when standing next to a tactically sound and balanced, if sometimes unglamorous, Spain.

It is not an unfamiliar playbook for plucky underdog types, even if Argentina were not exactly made of that mold. As they chased one final accolade in a dynastic run that saw them win two Copa America titles and one World Cup in between, they arrived at this tournament on the dying embers of that version of the team. A traditional Plan A in the ilk of new world champions Spain was not actually an option for them. Underdogs often opt for the grueling, disruptive game plan because that’s what works against the opponents that are destined to dictate the tempo of a game — and walk away with the win that should accompany it. This edition of Argentina were probably always going to default to that, especially since they have historically been a “vibes only” team even at their best.

You don’t get to be the underdogs though when you’re the defending champions. Doubly so when you have the best player the world has ever seen.

But they leaned into the bit fully at this World Cup, mounting as unique an attempt at a title defense as any team has mustered in some time. The good news for them is that they will likely reset once the dust settles and the confetti gets swept away in New Jersey. Messi has not announced his international retirement and Scaloni has not officially stepped away, but both of those things seem likely, making this tournament a victory lap for this team regardless. Scaloni had said as much going into the semifinal against England, attempting to relish the moments over the last week even as they attempted to win the World Cup in the most arduous way possible.

Their villain arc is both confirmed and complete, to the point that a ring of Messi chants broke out during the trophy presentation ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Messi looked overwhelmed by the occasion, likely for a range of reasons – there are probably few feelings as sore as losing a World Cup final, but perhaps he was taking in his last moments on a World Cup pitch. Victory was not his on Sunday but his legacy has been established for quite some time, in great contrast to his last tearful moment in this very building. A decade ago, he briefly quit Argentina’s national team after a fourth loss in a major final, that time a defeat in penalties to Chile at the Copa America.

His final run was not always spectacular but a decade after declaring that “this is not for me,” he proved even as the other, better team won that the big stages were most certainly meant for him.

Donald Trump hijacked Spain’s 2026 World Cup trophy lift, refusing to leave the podium despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s attempts to usher the US President away from the celebrating squad

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Donald Trump refused to step away from the podium after presenting the World Cup trophy to tournament victors Spain.

The Spanish team defeated the reigning champions in extra time, with Ferran Torres netting the opening goal after Argentina were reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez received his marching orders in the 93rd minute.

After their triumph, Spain approached the podium individually to collect their medals before the US President and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy to the victors.

Yet as Trump shook players’ hands and thrust his fists skyward, he commandeered the occasion, declining to leave the stage.

Infantino tried to shepherd a seemingly bewildered Trump away from the squad, as he continued hovering on the right-hand side of the team, overshadowing their celebratory moment.

The incident came as little shock given the US president had also breached protocol during the Club World Cup festivities in 2025.

Last July, he left players baffled when he opted to remain with the Chelsea squad as they hoisted the trophy at the MetLife Stadium.

Footage from last summer’s celebrations captured officials attempting to persuade Trump to depart, including appeals reportedly made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who stood alongside him at one stage.

This year proved no different, with Infantino again tasked with coaxing Trump away from the champions to enable them to raise the trophy.

Infantino dashes across the front of the squad and then gestures to the president to move left and leave, but Trump remains firmly in place as Spain hoist the silverware aloft.

When Trump walked onto the pitch for the ceremony, he was met with loud jeers from supporters — the second time during the final.

Earlier in the match, cameras cut to the president, who was watching the game alongside Infantino in a suite, and as he waved, boos and whistles echoed around the stadium.

He also courted further controversy when footage later showed him in the suite during the first half handling the World Cup trophy.