Where did defending champions go wrong? Four reasons behind Argentina's defeat

NEW YORK: How did Spain lift the FIFA World Cup by outplaying defending champions Argentina in the final at New Jersey Stadium? The fact is that Spain completely controlled the game over the full 120 minutes and looked like the better team in every department.

Spain 11, Argentina 0 in shots on target

One of the biggest signs of Spain's dominance was the number of shots on target. Spain registered 11 shots on target, while Argentina failed to manage even one. Argentina attempted only two shots throughout the match, and neither troubled the Spanish defence. Even captain Lionel Messi struggled to make an impact as Spain kept him quiet.

Spain dominated possession

Spain controlled 68% of the possession, giving Argentina very little time on the ball. The Spanish midfield dictated the tempo and stopped Argentina from building attacks. Spain completed 803 passes with an 89% accuracy rate, compared to Argentina's 445 passes. Argentina spent most of the match defending against Spain's relentless pressure, making it difficult to create meaningful scoring opportunities.

Emiliano Martinez prevented a bigger defeat

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was one of his team's few bright spots. Although he conceded the winning goal, he made 11 crucial saves to keep Argentina in the match. Spain fired 20 shots, with 12 of them being dangerous chances. Martinez's outstanding performance prevented Argentina from suffering a much heavier defeat. Spain finally broke through in extra time.

Enzo Fernandez's red card

Argentina suffered a major blow in the 93rd minute when Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a red card. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Argentina failed to strengthen their defense. Spain, who had already been in control of the match, made the most of their numerical advantage and scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to seal the victory.