Spain win the World Cup — De la Fuente in tears as Argentina struggle

The triumph

De la Fuente was visibly emotional at full-time, and you can understand why. The Spain manager cut a proud, overwhelmed figure after the final whistle — a man who had steered his country to back-to-back major international titles and now had a World Cup winner's medal to go with them. Spain were composed, organised, and better than the reigning world champions on the night, according to Foot Mercato. BBC Sport confirmed the result and reported on the scenes at full-time as De la Fuente's composure finally gave way.

Argentina's difficult first half

The game was tight and low on spectacle through the opening 45 minutes — and Argentina's half-time numbers reflected that. Foot Mercato reported a damning statistical snapshot from the break that illustrated how badly Lionel Scaloni's side had struggled to get into the match. The second half was always going to be a recovery job, and it wasn't enough.

Rooney's problem with the show

While the football was being digested, Wayne Rooney found a different target. During BBC coverage, Rooney publicly criticised the half-time entertainment show — the kind of sprawling, overproduced spectacle that has become standard at major finals — according to Foot Mercato. The nature of his remarks wasn't quoted in full, but the direction was clear enough. Rooney didn't think much of it.

The half-time show at a World Cup final is one of those things that divides football people almost on principle — and Rooney said the quiet part out loud.

The bigger picture

Spain have now won the Euros and the World Cup in back-to-back cycles — a trophy haul that puts this generation of Spanish football alongside any in the country's history. For Argentina, a final defeat stings in a way that earlier exits simply don't — and the manner of that first half will be the part that lingers.

De la Fuente's tears at the final whistle were the image of the night.