Messi’s World Cup hopes dashed as Argentina fall to Spain
Lionel Messi was left in tears after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final. Despite scoring eight goals and providing two assists in the tournament, Messi could not secure another trophy for his country. The match saw Argentina struggle, especially after Enzo Fernandez was sent off, and Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal for Spain. This defeat marks another painful final for Messi, who has now lost two World Cup finals in his illustrious career.
Match highlights
- Lionel Messi became only the second player to appear in three World Cup finals, matching Brazil’s Cafu.
- Argentina failed to retain the World Cup, missing the chance to become the first team to do so since Brazil in 1962.
- Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time, leaving Argentina with ten men before Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute.
- The final was played at the MetLife Stadium, where Messi had previously announced his international retirement in 2016.
- Messi now has more than 200 caps and has played a record 34 World Cup games across six tournaments.
