After being forced to work hard for their win, Spain turned complete dominance into victory in the World Cup final as Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in the 106th minute to defeat Argentina and secure Spain’s second World Cup title.
That was a side including Real Madrid summer signing Marc Cucurella, who was one of only three players to play every minute for Spain. He joined goalkeeper Unai Simón and defender Pau Cubarsí in playing every minute of every game.
His role in the final was
mixed. In the first half, he had more offensive responsibilities, looking to get forward and pin back Argentina’s right-midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, and he did so with a high press and looking to time runs into the box.
He came close to scoring with one of the better chances of the first half as he struck a low powerful shot from outside the box inches wide of Dibu Martínez’s left post.
In the second period, he found himself operating a little deeper, particularly as Nico Williams replaced Álex Baena ahead of him and Giuliano Simeone replaced De Paul on the right flank for Argentina. That meant he often became the last man when covering set pieces and looked to limit any damage from a long ball from goalkeeper Martínez over the top to launch a counter.
He was defensively solid, recovering possession on five occasions and winning three of his five duels, forming part of a unit which conceded only one goal in eight games through the course of the tournament.
Spain grew into the game and began to turn their domination of possession into more chances in the second half, particularly as injuries hit the Argentine defence with both of their starting central defenders, Cuti Romero and Lisandro Martínez, forced off.
There were appeals from Lionel Messi to send Cucurella off as he covered his mouth speaking to the Argentine in the aftermath of the red card shown to Enzo Fernández, but VAR chose not to intervene.
With Argentina down to 10, Cucurella was key to pushing forward and looking to overload the Argentine defence as the game went into extra-time, and the winning goal came from a move down the left as Nico Williams headed back into the path of Ferran Torres to finish.
The win in New Jersey adds a World Cup winners medal (and ring) to his trophy cabinet, following on from winning the European Championships two years ago.
The left-back will now enjoy a short break following celebrations in Madrid on Monday evening, and then will join Real Madrid for his first training sessions under new coach Jose Mourinho.
