La Roja needed extra time to get the better of their stubborn opponents, but Ferran Torres’ clinical finish in the 106th minute handed them a deserved triumph.
Neither side were able to truly lay a glove on the other in a cagey opening 45 minutes in New Jersey.
Mikel Oyazarbal’s effort which tested Emiliano Martinez low to his left as half-time approached was perhaps the only real opportunity before the lengthy break, though the Spanish were much quicker out the traps after the restart.
First, Martinez spilled a Dani Olmo effort around the hour mark but did well to smother Ferran Torres’ header from a Lamine Yamal cutback soon after.
Spain continued to turn the screw as the game ticked into the final ten minutes of normal time, with Martinez again called into action to catch an Aymeric Laporte header which lacked the power to truly test the Argentine goalkeeper.
Rodri’s effort ten minutes later was on the opposite end of the spectrum, with the City midfielder’s effort sailing over the bar from around 25 yards out as stoppage time approached.
Argentina had defended staunchly but failed to register a single effort on the Spain goal inside 90 minutes and were dealt a blow when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence late on.
But despite Lamine Yamal almost finding the top corner from a free-kick, extra time beckoned in New Jersey.
Rodri and co. continued to press for the opener with Martinez making another impressive stop to parry Nico Williams’ glancing header away from danger, with the Spain substitute then seeing a goal ruled out for a foul on former Blue Nicolas Otamendi.
The City midfielder was brought off in extra time as Luis de la Fuente’s side searched for the elusive opener, and it arrived in the 106th minute.
It was former City man Ferran Torres who grabbed it, smashing home Williams’ knockdown into the roof of the net to finally break Argentina’s stubborn resistance.
The 2022 champions threw everything at the Spanish in the dying minutes to try and force a penalty shootout but, despite Giuliano Simeone going close from a corner, it was to no avail.
It means Rodri and co. have been crowned world champions for the second time in their history after success in 2010 to add to their Euro 2024 title two summers prior.
