The most-watched sporting fixture in the world, the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, kicked off six minutes late last night, but it was far from the only strange thing happening before Spain clinched their second men’s World Cup triumph with a 1-0 extra-time victory. The whole pre-game spectacle was a wild ride that set the stage for an ultimately heartbreaking night for Lionel Messi.
The Pre-Game Circus That Nobody Asked For
Seriously, the 8pm BST kick-off at the New York New Jersey stadium was pushed to 8:06pm. Why the delay? Well, there was a performance by Robbie Williams, Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem, and then actor Tom Cruise stepped onto the stage for a truly bizarre pre-game speech. “So as we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness,” he declared in a strange monologue. The Buffer brothers, Michael and Bruce, even delivered their “let’s get ready to rumble” build-up.
But the oddities didn’t start there. The World Cup closing ceremony was 90 minutes before kick-off, featuring Post Malone and streamer IShowSpeed. The trophy itself was brought onto the pitch by Spain’s 2010 champion Andreas Iniesta, Argentina’s 1978 champion Mario Kempes, tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz, and *Squid Game* actor Hoyeon. And just when you thought it was over, an extended half-time show with performances from Shakira and Madonna was also expected to delay the restart. Plus, Donald Trump’s attendance layered on extra security, meaning hundreds of journalists, entertainers, and volunteers waited in lines for up to three hours just to get into the stadium. All this happened in warm New Jersey conditions, with no air conditioning available at the outdoor venue, making hydration breaks a must.
Messi’s Final World Cup Collapses Under Spanish Pressure
After all that chaos, the actual match for what looked to be Lionel Messi’s last dance in a World Cup final was brutal for Argentina fans. Spain’s super sub Ferran Torres drilled home the winner at the start of the second period of extra time, securing a 1-0 victory for Luis de la Fuente’s classy, ball-playing outfit. Argentina, meanwhile, was a “pale imitation” of the team that had broken England’s hearts in the semi-final. They couldn’t even muster a *single shot* across 90 minutes! Emiliano Martinez kept Spain at bay with some heroics, even preventing teenager Lamine Yamal from scoring on a free-kick, but it wasn’t enough.
Things got worse when Enzo Fernandez picked up a “brainless second yellow card” just before extra time, leaving Argentina with 10 men. Lionel Scaloni’s lacklustre side continued to stumble against Spain, and tempers frayed when the final whistle blew, sparking Spanish celebrations. For 39-year-old star Messi, this surely called time on his World Cup career, ending in a meek extra-time defeat for his 10-man squad. Spain is celebrating their second men’s World Cup triumph, but for Messi, this painful loss marks a crushing end to an incredible World Cup story.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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