Lionel Messi breaks down as Argentina lose out on World Cup history to Spain
· Yahoo Sports
Argentina waited until the dying moments to mount an offensive push against Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final, with Lionel Messi's expression telling the complete story after a golden opportunity sailed above the bar.
Ferran Torres emerged as the match-winner in Sunday's Final as he netted the decisive goal during a 1-0 triumph over Argentina, although it arrived later than anticipated. Argentina failed to register a single attempt until the second period of extra time, while Spain witnessed multiple strikes denied by Emiliano Martínez.
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Argentina's cause wasn't aided by an unnecessary dismissal of Enzo Fernández, who collected his second caution with moments left in regulation time. As time expired in Argentina's encounter with Spain, Messi appeared visibly distraught and acknowledged the inevitable outcome, as their hopes of a second consecutive World Cup title (something only done twice previously) came to an end, as per The Mirror US.
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Spain controlled the game from start to finish, and the World Cup Final had been promoted as a La Masia showdown between Messi and Lamine Yamal. Instead, it proved to be Barcelona attacker Torres who captured the spotlight.
Argentina remained pinned back inside their own penalty area for extended stretches of the match, only launching forward after Torres' strike in the 106th minute. Despite being outplayed throughout, Messi created an opening, with possession eventually reaching Giuliano Simeone.
As a delivery whipped across the six-yard box, Simeone connected with it, appearing to require merely a slight deflection to find the net. His touch proved insufficient as the ball cleared the crossbar, representing Argentina's best opportunity.
The moment the ball sailed over, cameras captured Messi wincing and burying his face in his hands. He displayed a similar reaction when Torres found the net at the beginning of the second half of extra time.
As the final whistle sounded and Spain rushed off to celebrate, Messi processed the loss. He was spotted rubbing his hair with his hands on his hips, staring down at the turf. While he did acknowledge Spain's players, he was crushed.
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Messi has shined for Argentina this summer, netting eight World Cup goals and registering two assists during the remarkable comeback against England in the semifinals. Argentina trailed 1-0 with five minutes left, but Fernández and Lautaro Martínez both found the back of the net.
It wasn't the first dramatic turnaround, as Argentina rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt earlier in the tournament. It seemed that this Argentina squad refused to accept defeat until Spain came along.
Spain concluded the World Cup with just one goal allowed, a new record. Belgium was the sole team to beat Unai Simon, doing so in a 2-1 quarterfinal loss.
While Messi was left heartbroken after what could have been his final World Cup, he claimed the trophy in 2022. Messi guided Argentina to a thrilling victory over France on penalties.
Messi will hang up his boots with a World Cup title to his name, regardless. But Argentina hardly appeared against Spain, and considering how impressively the goalkeeper performed, it represented a wasted chance.