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WORLD SPORT: Spain Beats Argentina 1-0 to Win Second World Cup Title. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired July 19, 2026 - 18:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[18:00:49]

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Hello there, and welcome to CNN World Sport. I'm Don Riddell in Atlanta.

And the World Cup Final in New York right now is an absolute nail biter. As we speak, Spain are on the brink of dethroning the defending champions Argentina. These are live images of the scene. The game is being played in New York, New Jersey, at the MetLife Stadium. Bottom left of your screen, you can see the Spain fans in Madrid who know they are now just moments away from a second world title. Remember, they won it for the first time in 2010.

And the scene in the bottom right of your screen is in Buenos Aires, where the fans, well, perhaps they can feel it slipping away from them. But the story of this Argentina team all tournament has been that just when you think it's over, it absolutely is not. It was not the most exciting final but to be honest, it has absolutely exploded into life in the latter stages. Right towards the end of the game, both teams could have won it.

But then, crucially, Argentina had one of their players, Enzo Fernandez, sent off, which meant they've had to play this entire 30- minute period of extra time with only 10 men. And yet Argentina have managed to hold on until early in the second period of extra time, when Spain took the lead through Ferran Torres, and that means they are now just literally moments away from winning this game. In fact, they are just seconds away from winning this game.

You can only imagine how all of those fans feel. The Argentina fans on your right, they've been in this position so many times in this tournament, and yet their team has managed to turn it around. But not this time, I can tell you, even though these fans haven't reacted just yet, I can tell you that Spain have won the World Cup. Argentina have been beaten by a goal to nil. I suspect because of the way the satellite delays work, that I'm telling you before the Spain fans actually know.

Let's bring in Pau Mosquera in Madrid.

Pau, you're amongst a lot of very, very happy fans tonight. Tell me how everybody is feeling.

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's it, Don. It has just happened. History has been made and thousands, and thousands of fans have just watched this moment live here from this fan zone located at Plaza de Colon. Look to this electric atmosphere here right now. Everybody is celebrating after La Roja has claimed its second World Cup. And I can tell you that as we are live right now, I am being drenched with beer.

If anyone thought that this match would be settled easier, they were mistaken. But absolutely, Don, it was worth for the thousands and thousands of Spaniards that have been watching this match here. Look at them, how happy they are.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mama! Mama!

MOSQUERA: This is the excitement, Don, here in Madrid. And this is just one of the many fan zones that are all spread around the city. There are thousands and thousands of fans that have taken the streets all around the Spanish capital. Look over there. The celebration. They are even using some fireworks. And this is happening live right now. You're watching it live. History in the making.

La Roja, Spain's national team, has just claimed its second World Cup after beating Argentina one goal to zero.

RIDDELL: Pau, I can imagine exactly what the atmosphere is like because I was in Madrid back in 2010, basically I was in exactly your position 16 years ago when Spain beat the Netherlands after extra time.

[18:05:04]

Similarly, in that game, the same scoreline as well, and the party just went on all night. It was absolutely incredible. Spain have had a wonderful tournament. They've only conceded one goal in eight games and Argentina they just barely laid a glove on them tonight. So it was another fantastic performance from the Spanish team.

Pau, tell me, what was it like to watch the game with those supporters there? Because for all that they've won the game, it must have been a tense, tense evening because you know what they say, if you come at the king, you better not miss. And there was always this fear because Argentina have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat so many times in this tournament that perhaps they would do it again. So what was the game like from the fans' perspective?

MOSQUERA: It was very, very tense. And actually the anxiety and the nervousness was very palpable all through the match. And I can tell that many of them are going to get back home with no fingernails left after biting all of them because it has really been a lot of suffering through all this 120 minutes of match, but I bet that it has been worth it.

Do you speak English?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, yes, yes.

MOSQUERA: How actually have you lived this final watching it here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Incredible, incredible. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Awesome.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Amazing. Fantastic.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We love our team.

MOSQUERA: I guess that there was a lot of suffering, right?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a lot, a lot. It was horrible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were crying. But this is incredible. Amazing. And we are winning.

MOSQUERA: You can see the excitement, Don. The history is repeating itself. It's the same situation like 16 years ago. The second time that Spain has made it to the final and they have claimed this victory. So come with me, come with me. After this where are you now heading to? How are you going to celebrate this?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know, with a lot of joy in every street, everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And with our friends, everything, everything.

MOSQUERA: I bet that you will maybe go to Cibeles Square?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, probably.

MOSQUERA: Incredible atmosphere right here, Don. Everyone just going crazy. Have a look over there because they are playing music and everyone is raising their national flags. I mean, the emotions are just running so high.

Do you speak English?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, no, no. A little.

MOSQUERA: (Speaking in foreign language)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking in foreign language). Viva Espana.

MOSQUERA: She was telling me that she is ecstatic after winning. What is that? Oh, my god. This has gone out of control. And this just has started.

Don, let me tell you, because this celebration will run until the early hours of the morning.

(Speaking in foreign language)

How has it felt watching this live?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very good. Very good. Go Ferran Torres.

(CROSSTALK)

MOSQUERA: Everyone is just ecstatic here.

(Speaking in foreign language)

So how does it feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking in foreign language)

MOSQUERA: Spain never misses, he is saying.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two finals, two wins.

MOSQUERA: Two times. Two times that they have gone to a final, two times that they have gone. Have a look here. They are just imitating like if they were supporters of Norway's national team.

So tell me, this is the second time that La Roja makes it to a final.

(Speaking in foreign language)

How does it feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Magnificent feeling. This is incredible. This is the best part of my life. The best moment of my life. I cannot breathe. I have no idea right now.

MOSQUERA: Right now, right now you're using the T-shirt after they won the first World Cup in South Africa with one star. But now you have to add the extra star.

(Speaking in foreign language)

[18:10:01]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now the second star, the second star today, second star.

(Speaking in foreign language)

MOSQUERA: What an incredible atmosphere.

(Speaking in foreign language)

How did it feel to watch this victory?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking in foreign language)

MOSQUERA: This historic moment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking in foreign language)

MOSQUERA: We're going to always remember this very moment, he just said. People are -- Don, let me show you. They're still at the very front of this fan zone because the music is going there. Have a look, have a look. Let's show how this Plaza de Colon does look right now. There's even some dancing here.

How did it feel to watch Spain to win?

(Speaking in foreign language)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking in foreign language)

MOSQUERA: Wow. I actually couldn't hear it all. But, again, it did feel like it is -- it has no comparison at all. Amazing. Look, everybody here, Don, there are at least 6,000 people and all of them were with the eyes riveted on the screen during the 120 minutes of this match. Here are they using their cell phones to tape it live, this very moment.

RIDDELL: And that's just the scene in the capital, Madrid, Pau, where you are. But this scene will be playing out in towns and villages and households all over the country right now. There is something really very special about a team winning the World Cup. Remember, you only get an opportunity to try to do it once every four years.

It's remarkable that Spain have now won two in a relatively short period of time, 2010 to 2026. That's five World Cups. They've won two of them. On both occasions they have entered these tournaments as European champions, and they've ended up as both European and world champions at the same time. And this was no mean feat because remember, they have toppled the defending world champions, the reigning South American champions, too, Argentina.

Just an absolutely extraordinary performance from this Spain team right the way throughout this tournament. I thought it was really cool that a moment ago the Spain fans were doing the Norwegian row. That's become one of the most memorable scenes and performances of this tournament. But it's so appropriate that the Spain fans are doing it because their team really has rowed together. It really has been an incredible team performance from La Roja, right the way throughout this tournament and this party, as you say, it is going to go on all night.

Pau, I wonder if you can talk to me a little bit about how you feel as though this team and this run to the World Cup title over the last four or five weeks has really brought the whole country together, not just tonight and the performance, but the seven games up until this point. What is the mood that you have felt and experienced within the country during this time?

MOSQUERA: Actually, what I saw and what people told me over the last weeks, Don, is that La Roja has shown a great improvement after that slow start to the stage group, when they were facing Cape Verde, and after that, every match that they have played, they have shown how strong they are. And actually, during this final, we have seen how they have been in control of the situation most of the time.

Actually, there has been a lot of goal scoring opportunities. We have even taped some celebrations where when Nico Williams scored one goal and after that it was disallowed by the referee. But there's something worth noting, Don, that this year, this 2026, this edition of the World Cup, it's La Roja who has claimed the victory. But the next edition is going to be held between Morocco, Portugal and Spain. So this is going to be very curious to live life, to experience life,

because they're going to be the ones that realize wants to have won this cup, Don.

RIDDELL: Amazing scenes, Pau. Enjoy it. Lap it up, milk it. We will be back with you shortly, Pau. But unfortunately for every winner, there has to be a loser. And I just know that the scene in Buenos Aires is going to be so contrasting.

[18:15:01]

Let's bring in Stefano Pozzebon, who's live for us now in the Argentine capital. And oh, look at that. It looks like he's at a funeral.

Stefano, how would you describe the atmosphere there? What have you all been through tonight?

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I would think that we are witnessing the end of an era. Many people here were singing "La Ultima de Leo," the last tango of Leo Messi. And, well, the last tango ended like any good tango here in Buenos Aires does end, with tears and the bittersweet feeling of having witnessed him -- having been witnessing one of the greatest players of all time in his last performance for the international team. Of course, Messi has not officially announced it, but many people here in Argentina have already told us that they believe this was the end.

One thing I want to point out, however, Don, I mean, I've seen a lot of Argentinians clapping at the Spaniards as soon as they were -- as soon as they were proclaimed the winners, as soon as the referee whistled for the third time. It's a good sign. We were talking in previous shows that this felt like a home derby for the Spanish speaking world, with millions of Spaniards living here, millions of Argentinians living in Spain.

The two nations are tied by history and by familiar and relative ties, to be honest, and feeling that this -- after this such a commanding performance for Spain, they could only clap at their worthy winners, the Argentines here. At some point it almost felt like it was the reverse of the England-Argentinian on Wednesday, with Argentina holding the 88 percent possession of the ball in the second half. Well, here Argentina almost didn't get out of the penalty area in the first half of the extra time.

Clearly at the end after the goal received, Spain retreated a little bit. That gave a little bit of hope. At some point it felt like Argentina could yet again pull it off, but Spain were too controlling, too quality in their football, too quality in their substitutes they were able to bring in throughout the match. And they were the winners of this. And not many people here are sticking around to see the awarding ceremony.

Like I said, it feels like maybe the end of an era for these incredible team that Argentina earned and put on the world stage over the last decade. They played, I think, five consecutive finals between World Cups and Copa Americas here. And they won most of them. They are the reigning American champion -- South American champions. And up until today, they were the reigning world champion.

They're passing the baton to a generation of Spaniards that are going to dominate European football for the years to come. And if you think about that photo with Leo Messi almost baptizing Lamine Yamal, 20 years ago, and now they are together in the world stage and the old lion has to watch at the young and rampant footballer getting the highest prize. It's a bittersweet moment, but it's also one that is warming the heart of many people around here.

And we can only applaud to the quality of the football expressed by La Roja. So that's it, Don. Not many people are cheering here, but at least we did watch a very good commanding football performance. And we need to recognize that.

RIDDELL: Yes. I'm surprised there's anybody left behind you because, I mean, the air goes out of the balloon pretty quickly when you get knocked out of the World Cup. And of course, it's never more painful than when you lose the final. I mean, what's your assessment of the way this tournament has gone for Argentina? Because it was an absolute roller coaster ride, wasn't it? So many times it seemed as though they were struggling. They were suffering.

It was always worth it in the end because they always somehow turned it around. But in the end, I guess it was a bridge too far and they ran into a really, really good team who basically just never gave them a chance.

POZZEBON: Yes. And I think that at some point it felt like that these, I mean, Argentine reminded me of an old boxer who is almost at the end of his career, who is winning by their mind, by the tricks, and not really by the hunger that perhaps they displayed four years ago in Qatar. They didn't really have anything to show. They were just playing to say goodbye to this. Lionel Scaloni is playing now and he's just complimenting Spain.

By the way, he already said they were worth the winner. We were not really playing to our best. And that's it. You can pull a miracle once with Egypt. You can pull it twice with Switzerland. You can pull it a third time by coming back and winning against England, of course. But perhaps, like you said, the Spaniards team were just too hungry, too young. And too skilled with a fruit for Argentina to pull one off them.

[18:20:04]

Argentina didn't have control of the ball at all this evening. The Spaniards made them run up and down, up and down the pitch with their commanding football and the tiki taka. And at the end, I think the physical differences of when you have 20 something playing against 30 something, it shows in a way. And, well, yes, Lionel Scaloni right now just said, we gave it all, we gave it all and Spain were just better than us. And it feels like it's a good feeling.

After dominating the world for the last decade or so, the idea of passing the baton, at least you're passing the baton to someone who truly have earned the bragging rights. And so that's why many people here -- there you go. They're applauding. They're applauding their coach. They're applauding Scaloni, who just finished his interview with Argentina TV, right here on the maxi screen.

People are still sticking here. Of course, they're going to give a good welcome to the Albiceleste when they land back in Buenos Aires tomorrow. But of course applaud goes to Spain and the honor goes to the winners. This is football. And everybody here, especially because of the relationship with football that Argentina has, nobody here is questioning the result. Nobody here is questioning the referee and they're just applauding the worthy winner of this year 2026 FIFA World Cup -- Don.

RIDDELL: Stefano, thank you very much. It does really feel like the end of an era in Argentina, a country where, of course, football is religion. But as everybody makes their way back home and starts thinking about going to bed, I can tell you that will be the last thing on the minds of anybody in Madrid right now. The party is literally only just getting started there, and it quite likely will run on for a few more days.

Stay with us here on CNN WORLD SPORT. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RIDDELL: Hey, welcome back here. The developing story we're following here on CNN WORLD SPORT is that Spain are world champions for a second time, having beaten the defending champions, Argentina, by a goal to nil in a tense, thrilling World Cup Final in New York today.

Let's take you to New York's Central Park, where Maria Santana has been following the action today. Let's hopefully we can bring Maria in.

You've been at a massive watch party today with tens of thousands of fans there. How was it?

MARIA SANTANA, CNN EN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: I mean, 50,000 people, Don, were here at the great lawn in Central Park. I'll show you the atmosphere here right now. You know, people are starting to make their way out. But, you know, they're still here. A lot of people watching these closing ceremonies. And, you know, it was just a party for most of the time. But this game was so intense that you could hear a pin drop.

[18:25:03]

This lawn was full of people, and it was so quiet at times. And this was a raffle by the city. Tickets were won online via an online lottery. These are some of the lucky winners.

Fans of Spain, this is my happy side. How are you guys feeling?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm feeling amazing, man. You know, my mother is Spanish and I'm just so blessed to be here at this moment and enjoy some of my best friends and family and everything, you know. And the crowd was incredible. I mean, thank you for Mayor Mamdani and everything for organizing this event. Global citizen as well. And yes, it just was an absolute blast.

SANTANA: Now, what made the difference in this game?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's a question for this man right here.

SANTANA: What made the difference?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the game I think Spain just really controlled the whole game. Argentina didn't get any chances until like after the 90th minute. Right? So then if they don't have the ball they don't have chances. They can't score. So Spain were just having the ball creating chances. Even though they weren't scoring they were on top the whole game. And of course eventually they scored the winner.

SANTANA: I mean it was pretty intense. We didn't know up until the last minute who was going to win. But of course, we also have to have a sadder side.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry.

SANTANA: You have to have a sadder side. How are you guys feeling, fans of Argentina here also?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're sad, we're sad. But I mean it's football. You know?

SANTANA: Someone has to win. Someone has to lose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir. But I'm proud of the team. I'm proud of the team to reach all the way this way.

SANTANA: I'm sure you're proud of Messi. This might be his last World Cup. How does that feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obviously, it's very sad, very sad to hear. But it's a great way to go out. At the age of almost pushing 40, he still makes it all the way to the finals, so it proves that he's still the best in the world. Best to ever touch the ball. And I can never be prouder of my idol and my country.

SANTANA: I mean, he's still the GOAT. Messi still the GOAT. One of the greatest players ever. You know, I think people here are also feeling grateful. This was a historic World Cup. I mean, so many moments, so many great moments we lived through. Sad it's over. Now what? That's the question tomorrow. Now what? What are we going to do?

RIDDELL: It's been an amazing, what, five, almost six weeks. It's been incredible. 104 games. And the drama has been absolutely nonstop.

Maria, thanks very much.

Let's take you just a little bit down the road to Times Square where Gloria Pazmino joins us. I imagine you are surrounded by a lot of fans there, a lot of them

probably making their way away from the stadium. How would you describe the scene where you are, Gloria?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, Don, for the last few hours, I have to say, Times Square was an Argentinian stronghold. There were a lot of people who gathered here to watch the game, but in the last few minutes since the game ended, this is now Spain territory. People are celebrating. We were just hearing chants of Lamine Yamal, Lamine Yamal.

I've spoken to a lot of people here today, people who came to New York City specifically to take in this game, knowing that there would be such a great gathering of all types of different cultures and people to take in this final World Cup. You know, so much of the World Cup is about gathering and community and celebrating the beautiful game that brings so many people together.

And I think we've seen a perfect example of that right here in New York City, with people gathering from all over the place. I just had a really good conversation with an Egyptian fan.

I'm actually going to grab you. We're live on CNN. You are from Egypt, but you told me you were rooting for Spain today because you wanted payback. You finally got it. How do you feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel like I got my revenge back, and thank God, all glory to God. God that we (INAUDIBLE). Spain, they deserved it. They beat all the good teams. And (INAUDIBLE) I wanted England to win. I wanted -- I was just (INAUDIBLE). I'm not going to the princess, you know, settle down.

RIDDELL: OK, well, unfortunately, we were having some technical difficulties, as you could see there, but it does give us the opportunity to show you a live White House press feed of the trophy presentation. As you can see, President Donald Trump on stage alongside the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. The two men have become very close over the last couple of years as the United States has been preparing to host this tournament, along with the co-host Canada and Mexico.

President Trump on stage to present the trophy to the victorious Spanish team. President Trump reprising a role he played at FIFA's Club World Cup tournament last summer, where he handed the trophy over to Chelsea on that occasion. Claudia Sheinbaum also on stage, the premiere of Mexico alongside President Donald Trump.

[18:30:07]

Mark Carney, the Canadian leader, also on stage alongside. So the three leaders from the three co-hosts and President Gianni Infantino on the stage. The match officials are receiving their medals first, as is customary. They will be followed onto the podium shortly, we would imagine, by the losing team to receive their medals, which is always an incredibly bittersweet moment. The match ended around 30 minutes ago now, but the Spain team won't

mind waiting a little bit longer to get their hands on the trophy once again. Remember, they won it for the first time back in 2010.

My WORLD SPORT colleague Amanda Davies was inside the stadium to watch the match, and she now joins us live from outside the stadium as you can see.

Amanda, I'm keen to get your thoughts on what was an absolutely fascinating match. It wasn't the most entertaining until the end of the 90 minutes. And then it was just white knuckle stuff for the extra time period. What did you make of it?

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, Don, they fought the fighters and (INAUDIBLE), didn't they, Spain? The European champions stealing the crown from the defending World Cup champions, Argentina. Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish boss, had said ahead of the start of the game, he was going to channel a bit of Julius Caesar that you need to suffer to be successful, and boy, did they have to suffer fighting all the way through 90 minutes and then extra time and beyond in this one.

The kind of performance that the Roman emperor, I have to say, would be pretty proud of. It was a gladiatorial effort from Spain, despite the fact the weight of the crowd was against them. By far the majority of the supporters inside the stadium were on the other side, the blue and white side of the camp. But, Spain, you have to say, absolutely deserved to win. I mean, it was not the footballing spectacle that people were hoping for, was it?

It wouldn't have been the kind of game that would win over people in this part of the world who still need to be convinced about the beautiful game, but I'm hoping we've done that over the last five weeks already. Spain tried and tried and tried again to create the chances to make the breakthrough. Argentina did what we have seen them do throughout this tournament. They hustled. They tried to break the flow. They challenged, they suppressed.

And I have to say, as time went on, you did start to fear for Spain because we know in these big moments, the flagship moments of the biggest game in the world, you have to take your chances. And we've learned over the last few weeks, you can never write Argentina off. A team gives them an inch and they have been taking a mile and seeing their passage through. But this time, with that sending off of Enzo Fernandez, an incredibly stupid challenge, you have to say, Argentina going down to 10 men just towards the end of the 90 minutes. And then it was always going to be a really, really tough mountain for Argentina to climb.

And Ferran Torres ultimately got the breakthrough that he and Spain were hoping for. So they are now the two-time world champion. Spain's first world title since 2010.

RIDDELL: And Amanda, as you speak, we continue to watch the White House pool feed of the events on the stage. So we've just seen the Spanish goalie Unai Simon on the stage receiving the Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament and richly deserved given that, of course, Spain only conceded one goal in eight matches. That is quite extraordinary. Seven clean sheets and I agree with you they absolutely deserved this title, particularly with the way the game played out today. They only scored one goal, but they absolutely stifled Argentina just as they did France in the semifinals.

So, we're still waiting to see the Spain team actually get their hands on the trophy as I mentioned. They won't mind waiting a few more minutes for that because they will just be absolutely milking and enjoying every single moment of this. I repeat, though, we're watching a White House pool camera, which is why we're seeing an awful lot of President Donald Trump and not much of anything else at this point.

[18:35:04]

Let's just talk a bit more about this Spain achievement, Amanda, because, I mean, they did come into this as the European champions. They were arguably the pre-tournament favorites. But as we came into this game, there was certainly this feeling that it was going to take something very special to beat them. But Argentina over the knockout game seemed to put themselves into trouble, seemed to almost relish finding themselves in situations where their backs were against the wall.

They were suffering with their fans and they always turned it around. But on this occasion it really was a bridge too far for them. Why could they not do it today?

DAVIES: Well, I think it was a combination of factors, wasn't it? I mean, it's Spain doing what they have done and, you know, have done for now 38 matches. They have not lost in 38 matches of normal match play, dating all the way back to 2024. So in that regard, you know, Argentina do not have to feel too ashamed.

And if you -- we talked about it last week, Don. Spain have been so impressive with that opening -- that game against Cape Verde accepting that actually they've kind of gone relatively under the radar for a long period of this tournament because they've kind of eased through swan-like really with that calm and control that they've been exerting on games. And we were at the team hotel just yesterday speaking to technical director Aitor Karanka.

And I said, what's your take on this? He came into his role in 2025 and has very much been -- he's been named the guardian of the project and he said it has been the same mood all the way through this tournament. We've got that real family feel. They've had a hotel every -- next to every team camp that they've been to, where the members of the family and friends have been staying, their children have been playing together, their wives have been having dinner together, and the players have been mixing and very much feeling that home from home, and they've been able to take that ethos onto the pitch. And you see what's happened.

RIDDELL: Absolutely right, Amanda. Well, as you speak, we're watching the Argentina team making their way across the podium to receive their losers' medals, which of course is not the position they thought they would be in at the start of the day. Don't go too far away, Amanda. We're going to take a quick break, and

we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:40:45]

RIDDELL: Welcome back. You're watching live pictures from the White House pool feed of the trophy and medal presentation ceremony after the World Cup Final. This is a moment that the Spain players are going to remember for the rest of their lives. They are receiving their medals from the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and the U.S. president Donald Trump.

He is joined on stage by the leaders of Mexico and Canada who have co- hosted this tournament with the United States over the last five or so weeks. We've enjoyed an extraordinary 104 games, and almost every single one of them has been edge of the seat stuff. It's been a remarkable tournament.

My WORLD SPORT colleague Amanda Davies watched the game inside the stadium.

Amanda, as we wait to watch the Spain captain Rodri lift the trophy, I guess we should just reflect on what this very young team has achieved. Remember they are the European champions now. They're the world champions. That's a repeat of what they achieved in 2008 and 2010. And whereas for the Argentina team, it kind of feels like the end of an era. This Spain team might just be getting started. They're also young.

DAVIES: Yes, very much so. I mean, I will say I had a moment on the full time whistle just before I ran out here. I very much wanted to take a moment and just have a look at Leo Messi and see what he was doing. And he stood on his own for a very, very long time, obviously having a bit of moment of reflection. He wasn't shown on the big screen at that point, but I'm guessing there was a fair amount of emotion there because the big question, you know, are we going to be seeing Leo Messi in an Argentina shirt again?

Now that I suspect will be a conversation for another time. But yes, this is -- people talking about the passing of the baton if Spain were to win today as they have done from Messi to the player being talked about as the new superstar, the next generation, of course, 19-year- old Lamine Yamal. He definitely had the better of the chances in the opening period of this game, but he actually is almost the younger generation of the team that the Spain boss, Luis de la Fuente, has worked with really for the last 10 years or so.

They won an under 19 championship. They won an under 21 championships. The likes of Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo, they've all come through the ranks together and that is very much being talked about as, you know, the secret of their success. This, yes, is a team with an incredible array of talent, but they very much talk about the collective, the team ethos, and that we talked last week, didn't wee, after that victory over France, where de la Fuente was saying, we beat the most talented squads of the tournament against France.

But we are the best team and they are interchangeable in terms of the players. They can bring off the bench into the field of play. They all know what they're doing, they know how they're trying to play. They know what they're trying to achieve and that is paying off.

RIDDELL: Amanda, I'm just going to jump in because President Trump and President Gianni Infantino are making their way across the stage to hand over the World Cup trophy. And this is the moment. This is the photograph. This is the moment that these players will remember forever. And President Trump is congratulating some of the players. He's making his way to the side of the stage.

It seems as though President Trump is going to be a part of this moment. There you have it. La Roca are world champions for a second time, repeating their feat of 2010. The moment is theirs. Wonderful scenes, wonderful scenes. And I repeat, we're watching the White House pool camera, which is why we are no longer looking at the Spain team celebrating.

[18:45:03]

There we go. Back to the stars of the show, the Spain team. Wonderful accomplishment for this Spain team and they have deserved it over the last few weeks. And they are going to celebrate long into the night. And I would imagine they will return to Madrid as soon as they possibly can for a parade through the city. I was there in 2010 for that, and it felt as though the city just closed down for the day.

Stay with us here on CNN WORLD SPORT. We'll be right back with more reflections on this incredible tournament and a fabulous achievement for this Spain team in just a moment. Don't go away.

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RIDDELL: Welcome back to CNN WORLD SPORT.

As you can see, they've just let off the fireworks at the New York-New Jersey stadium after Spain have received their second World Cup trophy and it has been a fabulous accomplishment for them dethroning the defending champions Argentina after a period of extra time today for their second World Cup triumph.

And it's a similar scene in Buenos Aires where, despite an absolutely heartbreaking defeat, they are marking the end of their World Cup run with a fireworks display of their own. It will be ever so bittersweet for these loyal, passionate fans who have been with their team throughout this run, and it has been an absolutely exhilarating run. But in the end, they met their match in Spain today.

This is the scene in the capital Madrid, where, as you can see, it is approaching 1:00 in the morning. But I can tell you, because I've been in this position myself, I was there in 2010, exactly where these supporters were. It looks like some of them have climbed onto a bus stop to continue their celebrations. These guys will not be going to bed, and quite possibly it will be no sleep until the team returns with the trophy as soon as they can get themselves out of New York, onto a plane and back over the Atlantic.

Stay with us here on CNN. We'll be right back.

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[18:51:29]

RIDDELL: What a prophecy this turned out to be. This remarkable photo shoot from 2007, which I imagine everybody has seen by now, where Lionel Messi, at the start of his career was seen bathing a baby Lamine Yamal. Who could have known who the baby would grow up to be? That was 19 years ago. At the time, Messi was wearing 19. Yamal has been wearing 19 at this tournament.

Their birthdays are exactly 19 days apart, and some people believe that the number 19 symbolizes the end of a cycle and the start of something new. And that, I suppose, is what has happened today, because Lionel Messi is no longer the world champion. He has been dethroned by Spain and the young pretender Lamine Yamal.

Let's take you back to Buenos Aires, where CNN's Stefano Pozzebon is standing by.

And Stefano, this does, I guess, feel like the end of an era. And the big question now is, have we just witnessed Lionel Messi's last game in an Argentina shirt? What do you think? What do the fans there think?

POZZEBON: I think that most fans here believe that that is the case. Before the match, Don, a lot of people were thinking about La Ultima de Leo, the last one from Messi. And just when we saw him on the screen at the moment that he was framed by the cameras as Spain was lifting the trophy, there were tears in his eyes. A lot of people here or were still here, they were cheering and applauding him.

One of them was Guillermo.

Guillermo, how did you feel, for example, when you saw Messi cry on TV? Do you think it was the last match from him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like we say in Argentina we love our captain. It ain't over until it's over. It's very difficult to say now. He's going to play another World Cup. Maybe it was the last one, but very proud of our captain and our team.

POZZEBON: And very proud also of the way that Argentina made it there. And then lost to the worthy world champions. Spain did win with a value.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Indeed. Spain was superior. It was like a bitter end because the Simon's shot was a little bit high. But could be a goal. And well, that's the sport. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you try and sometimes you win.

POZZEBON: Yes. That is the commanding feeling here. It's worth like, Don, not many people here are bitterly recriminating of the referee or anything. A lot of people were just sharing with us the emotion of seeing. Perhaps Messi's last match or the last match of the La Scaloneta, as the team is affectionately known here and just at the end of one of the most dominant eras of Argentinian football around the world.

So they're cheering to that and cheering to Spain because they are worthy winners of this year's World Cup -- Don.

RIDDELL: Yes, what's the phrase? Don't be sad it's over. Just be glad it happened.

Stefano, thanks very much.

Let's return to Amanda in New York for some final thoughts.

Amanda, it has been an absolute marathon of a tournament, 104 games. It's been wildly entertaining from start to finish. Spain had the last word. They wrote the final chapter. They are world champions again. How do you think we'll remember this tournament?

DAVIES: Yes, and I think both of these teams eked out every final second, didn't they? Of the longest, biggest World Cup in history. I mean, I think, you know, from the minnows, the likes of Cape Verde to the former winners, the traditional giants of the game, I think it's fair to say people do think the 48-team tournament is a winner.

[18:55:06]

There have been so many incredible storylines from the likes of Bosnia to Curacao gaining their first World Cup point to, I don't know, Erling Haaland and people discovering his love of raccoon taxidermy. I mean, eight -- nine of the 10 African nations who qualified made it out of the knockout stages. And we saw the game's biggest stars, didn't we, really shine on this? The biggest stage from Messi.

I mean, people were questioning whether he would still be able to do it at 39. He might not have got his hands on the trophy, but eight goals in eight games leading his side to a second straight final. I think he can absolutely do what he wants to do now on his own terms, but Kylian Mbappe finishing as the Golden Boot Winner. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham for England. I think there are so many reasons to celebrate. The World Cup has loved the United States, Mexico and Canada, and they in turn have loved hosting the World Cup, thanks in large part to some incredible fans that we have seen and been in the thick of, haven't we?

The Dutch in in Boston, the Scots, the Argentina fans. I think there's been too many lines crossed in terms of football and politics, that's for sure. It will be interesting to see what discussions are had from them moving forward, but without doubt, a very, very worthy winner on the biggest, most spectacular of stages here -- Don.

RIDDELL: Yes, it has been great. Kylian Mbappe will end up with the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, but it is Spain who will be celebrating the most. An absolutely wonderful performance for them. They have beaten Argentina by a goal to nil after a period of extra time in New York. It is their second World Cup victory.

As I've been saying, the party will continue long into the night, right across the length and breadth of Spain, and particularly in Madrid. Unfortunately, the party is over in Buenos Aires. Their World Cup has come to a disappointing end.

Thanks for your company here on CNN WORLD SPORT. We'll see you again soon.

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