How Spain stifled Messi in World Cup final

Spain are World Cup champions! A dramatic 1-0 victory over Lionel Messi's Argentina saw Luis de la Fuente's side crowned the best team in the world - but what were the tactical keys behind their triumph? In this final World Cup episode of Tactics Exposed, SunSport's tactical expert Dean Scoggins joins host Will Pugh to analyse how Spain's relentless wide play finally broke Argentina's resistance, explaining how their trademark triangles stretched Lionel Scaloni's side, why Nico Williams' movement created the winning goal, and how Ferran Torres' intelligent positioning punished Argentina after their red card. Deano also breaks down another Rodri masterclass, revealing how the Golden Ball winner controlled the World Cup final alongside Pau Cubarsí, dominated the central areas with over 100 touches, repeatedly beat Argentina's press and showcased the "Red Wall" defensive structure that has made Spain almost impossible to play through throughout the tournament. Finally, we pay tribute to Lionel Messi after what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance, examining how Spain's tactical discipline kept the greatest player of all time quiet, why Argentina struggled to get him on the ball, and the emotional guard of honour he received after another unforgettable tournament. We're LIVE from New York City with ‪@MidniteSports‬ throughout the World Cup, breaking down the biggest tactical battles from every stage of the tournament. Subscribe to ‪@TheSunSport‬ and the brand new ‪@TacticsExposed‬ channel now! 00:00 - Intro 00:25 - Spain's wide play finally broke Argentina 05:06 - Rodri's World Cup-winning masterclass 08:10 - Farewell to Lionel Messi #Argentina #WorldCup #messi Midnite is definitely not your grandad's bookie. Built from the ground up in the UK for 2026 not 2006 , it's fast, slick, with simple deposits and Rapid Withdrawals. Check them out @midnite. Please always remember to gamble responsibly — 18+, T&Cs Apply, BeGambleAware.org More from Tactics Exposed: Tactics Exposed    / @tacticsexposed   Ones to Watch: Spain    • How tournament favourites Spain can domina...   The Sun Sport delivers analysis, exclusive interviews and breaking news from across the world in sport!