Spain claimed its second FIFA World Cup title after beating defending champion Argentina 1–0 in a dramatic final that went into extra time.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, while Argentina finished the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time.
Spain dominated the final, outshooting Argentina 20-1 over 120 minutes and denying Lionel Messi a shot in regulation. The loss dashed Messi’s hopes of ending his final World Cup with back-to-back titles.
The triumph capped a remarkable tournament. The team conceded just one goal in eight matches, setting a record for the fewest goals allowed by a World Cup-winning side. The victory also made Spain the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles simultaneously.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the tournament proved to be a financial success. FIFA is expected to announce record revenue of $15 billion, well above its original $11 billion forecast, driven by strong ticket sales, premium hospitality packages, and secondary ticketing fees.
The windfall is expected to increase funding for member associations and strengthen FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s position ahead of his re-election campaign.
The tournament also boosted the US economy. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan estimated it could generate nearly $20 billion through higher spending on tourism, hotels, restaurants, transport, and entertainment.
The FIFA World Cup sparked a surge in beer sales across the United States, with packed bars and stadiums driving strong demand.
They jumped 14% in US host cities, while nationwide sales rose 4% during the tournament.
The World Cup also attracted thousands of visitors and increased tourism across several US host cities. Hotels in Boston, New York City, and other locations reported higher occupancy, while bars and restaurants benefited from match-day crowds and stronger sales.
However, the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book said the tournament’s broader economic impact remained limited. Weaker consumer spending, fewer international visitors in some regions, and rising oil prices offset many of the gains.
The report added that many Americans reduced discretionary spending or switched to cheaper alternatives, preventing the tournament from delivering stronger nationwide economic growth despite its popularity.