Torres strike settles final
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in Sunday's World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal. Luis de la Fuente's young team — which opened the tournament with a frustrating goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde — improved dramatically as the tournament progressed. La Roja controlled the final, nullifying Argentina's attacking threats and limiting Lionel Messi's impact. Spain conceded only one goal across the entire knockout stage.
England takes third in goal fest
England claimed third place with a thrilling 6-4 victory over France on Saturday. The match marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France manager, with Kylian Mbappe becoming the tournament's all-time top scorer with 22 goals in his final match under the long-serving coach. England's performance capped a strong tournament that saw them reach the semifinals before falling to Argentina.
Record viewership and controversy
The World Cup final drew record viewership in the United States, reflecting the success of the first tournament hosted across North America. President Donald Trump attended the trophy presentation alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The tournament was not without controversy, however, with debates over scheduling, Qatar's involvement, and political interference from the Trump administration shadowing some matches.