Spain just locked up their second-ever FIFA World Cup championship, beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. This was the biggest tournament in history, a 48-team monster, and Spain pulled off something legendary. But if you want to know the absolute pivotal force that cemented their historic run? It’s gotta be Unai Simón in goal.
Spain’s Legendary Wall Was unbreakable
Simón absolutely earned that Golden Glove, dude. He kept an insane seven clean sheets and let in only one goal the whole tournament! Seriously, that’s the fewest goals conceded by any World Cup-winning team ever. The guy was a brick wall, pure shot-stopping brilliance, constantly playing out from the back and sweeping up danger behind the line. What a historic individual campaign, no joke.
And he wasn’t alone holding that line. Marc Cucurella, already recognized as one of the premier left backs in the world, proved it. He was defensively stable in the tournament’s best defense, but also had that relentless energy bombing up and down the pitch in attack. Aymeric Laporte turned back the clock with a great World Cup, anchoring the back line as the experienced partner next to teenage center back Pau Cubarsí. Laporte’s ability to play out from the back and his defensive stability were cornerstones for Spain.
Midfield Maestro & Argentinian Grit Shine
Pedro Porro also leveled up hard for Spain. After an inconsistent season at Tottenham, he put together a strong tournament. Marcos Llorente might have started at right back, but Porro earned that spot and became a key player. He wasn’t just solid defensively, he was a presence in attack, scoring in the Round of 32 against Austria and again in the semifinal against France. Talk about stepping up!
And then there’s Rodri, the Golden Ball winner, period. Best player on the best team, playing at a stratospheric level throughout. He was showing signs of that insane form from before his ACL tear, from his Ballon d’Or and European Championship-winning campaign. Rodri’s decision-making, processing speed, and defensive strength in front of Laporte and Cubarsí? Absolutely massive for Spain. This dude could be looking at a second Ballon d’Or after that performance, for real.
But it wasn’t all Spain dominating Lalas’ picks. Argentina’s Cristian Romero also earned his spot. He was a vital piece for their 2022 World Cup win, and he continued that impact here. This dude puts everything on the line defensively, but also made an impact in the attacking box as a goalscoring threat. That included his goal against Egypt to bring Argentina back, plus a header deflected in for an own goal winner against Cape Verde in the Round of 32. Pure grit, pure impact, every game.
What an Unbelievable Tournament!
So yeah, Alexi Lalas dropped some serious knowledge with his World Cup Best XI picks. While the full list might not be completely revealed, the players described here truly show the top-tier talent from this record-setting tournament. Spain’s historic dominance, especially defensively, was a masterclass. These guys didn’t just win a trophy; they left a mark on World Cup history. What an unbelievable tournament!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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