Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya are world champions after Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a World Cup final that, at times, bordered on the absurdly one-sided.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, smashing into the roof of the net after Nico Williams had done brilliantly to keep the ball alive at the back post.
It was no more than Spain deserved after dominating possession and penning the holders inside their own half for much of the game.
Argentina’s task became even harder deep into stoppage time of normal time when professional douchebag Enzo Fernandez, already booked for dissent, collected a second yellow for another needless foul. It capped a thoroughly miserable evening for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Merino was introduced midway through the second half and almost broke the deadlock himself in extra time, glancing a header just wide. He also played a key role in one of Spain’s two disallowed goals, with the officials judging, rather harshly, that he had fouled Nicolas Otamendi before Nico Williams found the net.
Zubimendi replaced Rodri shortly before Spain’s winner, making his first appearance of the tournament, while Raya, having spent the competition understudying Unai Simon, watched from the bench as his teammates got the job done.
The statistics barely did Spain’s dominance justice. Argentina failed to register a single shot until the 117th minute, when Giuliano Simeone blazed over what would have been a spectacularly undeserved equaliser.
Unfortunately, the final whistle brought the ugliest scenes of the night. As Spain’s celebrations got under way, tempers boiled over and a series of skirmishes broke out across the pitch, briefly overshadowing an otherwise deserved triumph for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
For Arsenal, it means Merino, Zubimendi and Raya return to London Colney as world champions. After a summer that has stretched well into July, Mikel Arteta may have to wait a little longer before seeing his three compatriots, but he’ll no doubt be delighted to welcome them back with another winners’ medal in their luggage.