Spain down Argentina to win World Cup, shatter Messi dream

East Rutherford, United States: Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage. freshyourfeel.com

Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.

A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory.

But the 39-year-old maestro -- almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game -- was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout.

The South Americans' skullduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.

For long periods though it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough.

But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck.

A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that would clinch Spain's second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph.

Earlier, a clear sign of Argentina's frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo's ankle.

Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card although after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarded a foul.

Spain made their presence felt moments later though, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction.

Argentina continued to test referee Vincic's patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal's calf in a clumsy challenge.

Lopsided half

Spain meanwhile continued to probe for openings but Mikel Oyarzabal failed to seriously test Emi Martinez with a low shot that the Argentina goalkeeper gathered easily in the 39th minute.

Eventually though Vincic did reach for a yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez booked for a cynical challenge on Oyarzabal.

Martinez was substituted shortly afterwards with an apparent injury, veteran Nicolas Otamendi coming on in his place.

The final's controversial extended half-time show featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber stretched to 27 minutes but did little to upset Spain's rhythm.

The Spanish piled on the pressure in a lopsided second half as Argentina hung on grimly.

Spain coach de la Fuente sent on Pedri and Ferran Torres for Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal and the chances continued with Argentina in full siege mode.

Yamal twisted away and chipped a cross for Torres, whose downward header was saved by Martinez.

Pedri and Cubarsi both lashed long-range shots that Martinez failed to grasp at the first attempt but somehow Argentina continued to hold on.

But the arrival of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh life to Spain's attacking momentum, and the onslaught continued.

Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute before Torres and Rodri both fired long-range shots from Martinez.

Fernandez's dismissal left Spain down to 10 men heading into extra-time.

Martinez had one last save deep in stoppage time when Yamal's superb whipped free-kick was clawed wide.

The Spanish dominance continued in extra-time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez got down well to save one-handed.

Moments later it looked as if Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net but referee Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

But the breakthrough came with Torres's winner on 106 minutes. Argentina made a desperate last raid on Spain's goal but La Roja held firm to seal victory.

Zamalek have reportedly opened talks with Bulgarian coach Ivaylo Petev as the search for a manager for next season continues.

Ivaylo Petev has emerged among the leading candidates after the club confirmed to have contacted him in recent days. The Bulgarian becomes the latest name linked with the position after former Maghreb de Fes coach Pablo Franco.

Franco initially led Zamalek’s shortlist following his Moroccan league triumph. However, Franco’s agent said Zamalek had only approached his camp through intermediaries.

Petev began his senior coaching career with Lyubimets before joining Ludogorets in 2010. He led the club into Bulgaria’s top division and immediately established them as the country’s dominant side.

During his first spell, Petev won two consecutive Bulgarian league titles. He also claimed the 2012 Bulgarian Cup and Super Cup.

Petev later managed AEL Limassol and finished second in the 2013/14 Cypriot league on goal difference. He then coached Bulgaria from December 2014 until September 2016.

The Bulgarian subsequently joined Dinamo Zagreb and led them to second place in both the Croatian league and cup. Further spells followed with Omonia, Saudi club Al-Qadsiah, and Poland’s Jagiellonia Białystok.

Petev then took charge of Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2021. He led the national team to promotion into UEFA Nations League A before leaving in December 2022.

He returned to Ludogorets in March 2023 and won another domestic double. That success made him the first coach to complete two doubles with the club.

Petev has won three Bulgarian league titles, two domestic cups and one Super Cup across his two Ludogorets spells.

He later managed Universitatea Craiova before joining Baniyas in May 2025. The Emirati club dismissed him four months later after losing its opening four league matches.

The White Knights have considered several coaches during their search. Their previous candidates included Pedro Emanuel, Alexandre Santos, Uli Forte, and Jamal Sellami.

Zamalek has not yet announced Motamed Gamal’s departure. He led them to their 15th Egyptian Premier League title in May and their first since 2022.

The post Zamalek Open Talks With Ivaylo Petev appeared first on KingFut.

أعلن نادي الشمال الرياضي التعاقد مع اللاعب ويسلي سعيد، وذلك للانضمام لصفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم اعتبارا من الموسم المقبل. ووقع ويسلي سعيد على عقود انضمامه رسميا لنادي الشمال، وذلك تمهيداً للانتظام في معسكر فريق الكرة بنادينا، وهو المعسكر الذي انطلق اليوم في هولندا استعدادا للموسم الجديد.
وبدأ ويسلي سعيد مشواره الكروي في أكاديمية رين الفرنسية، ولعب لأندية فرنسية مثل ديجون وتولوز قبل أن ينضم لنادي لانس.

East Rutherford, United States: Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are trying to win a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.

Organisers said they were "monitoring closely" the smoke that has choked skies over large areas of the United States.

"There's been discussion about it, and we have somebody with the National Weather Service that sits in FIFA headquarters there, so we're monitoring closely,"

Andrew Giuliani, White House World Cup task force executive director, told a briefing.

US President Donald Trump will be among a crowd of over 80,000 spectators as the largest World Cup in history reaches its climax in the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It will be the only game of the tournament that Trump has attended.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would also attend the final after an invitation from the American president.

Trump on Friday hailed the World Cup, also played in Mexico and Canada, as "the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world" as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a "physical" battle with Argentina and would aim to ignore any possible "provocations".

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon D'Or winner, said he expected the final to be unlike any other game the European champions had faced.

"I think Sunday's match will be quite different," the Manchester City star told reporters.

"It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.

"So we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here."

When asked if he expected Argentina to resort to "provocative" tactics, Rodri replied: "Well, that's a part of football."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Messi lead out his team in another World Cup final at the age of 39.

"He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

For Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said he gets emotional when he reflects on the collective efforts that have gone into their success.

"Honestly sometimes I cry to myself thinking about what we have achieved," he said.

"My message to my teammates is that they should enjoy this moment, prepare with a smile on our faces.

"This is something we will remember forever."

England arrived in Miami to play France on Saturday in the meeting of the beaten semi-finalists to determine who finishes third.

England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted that their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final had been painful.

"We have to live with this, so it's our pain, my pain and the players' pain -- we feel the most pain of all," Tuchel said at a press conference.

"And it is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat."

France coach Didier Deschamps vowed that no tears would be shed as he prepares to take charge of his final World Cup match, having guided them to glory in the 2018 edition and taken them to the final in 2022.

"I know that the final curtain falls tomorrow," Deschamps said on Friday.

"No one here is going to cry, but I know I'll miss the French team. For 15 years (he was appointed in 2012), I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult."