The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain did not kick off on time and was delayed by six minutes. Kick-off at the New York New Jersey stadium was scheduled to be 8pm BST (3pm ET) but the most-watched sporting fixture in the world did not begin until 8:06pm BST.
The start of the match followed a performance by Robbie Williams, the singing of the national anthem by Jennifer Hudson, a bizarre pre-game speech by actor Tom Cruise, and a ‘let’s get ready to rumble’ build-up by ring announcers the Buffer brothers - Michael and Bruce.
There was also the World Cup closing ceremony, 90 minutes before kick-off, featuring performances by Post Malone and streamer IShowSpeed, while the World Cup trophy was brought onto the pitch by Spain’s 2010 champion Andreas Iniesta and Argentina’s 1978 champion Mario Kempes, as well as tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz and Squid Game actor Hoyeon.
As anticipation for the World Cup final was beginning to build, Cruise appeared on stage and addressed the crowd. “So as we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness,” he said, in a strange monologue.
The World Cup final will also stage an extended half-time show, with performances from Shakira and Madonna expected to delay the restart of the final by several minutes. Donald Trump's attendance at the match also added extra layers of security, with hundreds of journalists, entertainers, and volunteers waiting in lines for up to three hours before entering the stadium.
As with all other matches at the World Cup, the final features a three-minute hydration break roughly halfway through each half. The conditions in New Jersey for the World Cup final are warm, with no air conditioning available at the outdoor venue - unlike in Dallas or Atlanta for the semi-finals.
In the end, super sub Ferran Torres fired Spain to their second men’s World Cup triumph as what looks to be Lionel Messi’s last dance ended in 10-man Argentina falling to a meek 1-0 extra-time defeat.
Billed as a box-office final between the South American and European champions, what transpired was a defence versus attack exercise as the holders showed spirit but precious little else.
Faltering Argentina failed to muster a shot across 90 minutes and only Emiliano Martinez’s heroics kept Spain at bay, with the goalkeeper preventing teenager Lamine Yamal from scoring a match-winning free-kick.
The reigning champions lost Enzo Fernandez to a brainless second yellow card just before extra time, with Lionel Scaloni’s lacklustre side continuing to stumble against Luis de la Fuente’s classy, ball-playing outfit.
Spain kept knocking at the door and substitute Torres eventually slammed home at the start of the second period of extra time. Argentina were unable to eke out an equaliser having been a pale imitation of the team that broke England’s hearts in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Tempers frayed as the final whistle sparked Spanish celebrations and surely called time on 39-year-old star Messi’s last World Cup match.
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