Football Daily - World Cup: Spain Win The Tournament - 5 Live Reaction

Episode Date: July 19, 2026

Relive the atmosphere and instant reaction from 5 Live at full-time as Spain overcome a dogged 10-man Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time. Kelly Cates is joined by John Murray, Ian Dennis, Chris Sutton and Paul Robinson in New Jersey as Spain's captain Rodri lifts the famous trophy. Guillem Balague gives his reaction to the win for Spain and South American football expert Tim Vickery has his say on a tight, cagey encounter.TIMECODES: 00:10 - Spain's magic moment 01:20 - Chris Sutton: 'The best team won' 03:10 - Guillem Balague's instant reaction 13:10 - Should Nico Williams' goal have been given? 15:25 - Donald Trump arrives onto the pitch 18:05 - Thoughts from Tim Vickery 26:30 - The presentations begin 31:20 - Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy

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And space in New Jersey. One-0 Rinoes after extra two. They've beaten the hold as Argentina, who could not take that final step. And Spain, oh, they are such worthy winners. Spanish players running hither and thither. And there's also been a little bit of nonsense. I've seen a punch being thrown down there. There's some bad temper in the center field near the center circle.

But in all other areas, Spanish celebrations, certainly in the stands. And Louis Delaflente, what an achievement by him. European champions under the unheralded Louis Delaflante two years ago. Now he's the coach of the World Cup winners. I think it is all calming down now, Chris. Yeah, it's Parades, who threw punches at Eric Garcia at the end of the game. I think he was unhappy with Garcia's reaction, but yeah, it's all settled down now. And let's get it right.

The best team won. The best team of the tournament won. The slickest, the silkiest, the stingiest. Spain, absolutely phenomenal. And they thoroughly deserve it. Not to be for Lionel Messi this time. Not to be for Argentina. And that's sending off of Enzo Fernandez,

obviously a pivotal moment in the game for. Yeah, a key moment in the game. But they've been absolutely outplayed the whole game. And that bad sportsmanship there at the end, as you said, I think there's a couple of punches thrown there. I don't like it when it happens to them. We're at the end of the game.

But I think from Spain's point of view, I mean, to win a World Cup by conceding only one goal, that tells you a lot about the team, and it tells you a lot about the quality. And I think there are a team of an age that are going to grow. They'll grow together. They're an experienced team now at winning tournaments. And every time that I've seen in this tournament,

they've been impressive, and none more so, today. You can say they do maybe lack an ever so slight cutting edge. But it didn't matter today because they were by far and away the better side. Yes, you're right, Paul. They've got a little bit of a nerve, haven't they, to react like that, bearing in mind how they reacted and how Barco, the substitute ran around taunting the England players after the goal that was scored in Atlanta. But Spain can celebrate Argentina commiserate with one another. And after extra time, Spain winning with that goal right at the start of the second period of extra time from Ferran Torres. Spain won, Argentina nil, in the World Cup. final Kelly Kate. And your commentary team here at the MetLife Stadium, John Murray and Ian Dennis, Chris Sutton and Paul Robinson.

And we're also joined by Guillem Ballagay. Giam, you talked about how much the World Cup meant to you in 2010 when Spain won it. What does this one mean to you? Right now, I love being here, but I've loved to have a space machine and jump and go to my mom's. that's my sister's there and her partner and I know that she's going to be jumping up and down it's no much more that I win it's a sporting win but to win this way to be to win in a way that we started producing 30 years ago people that come to your head is yaki saith and kinesmenendeth and you've got no idea who they are but those were the first guys that said

how about if we just pick players that can do what spanishi players can normally do be intelligent on the pitch understanding what's going on give them weapons so they can whatever part of the game or on the pitch they can give what it's necessary this is the consequence of an idea one one an idea is a is such a rich idea that give you success and now you have to say with in another area of success is the celebration of that the celebration of continuity of process but also So of course, I just want to give a hold to all my friends. I mean, I love you all here.

Just four of you are giving me the back. I would just jump on top of you and just give you big kisses because that's what it feels like right now to win the World Cup. But also to win it this way, it feels really, really well. And the fact that it's happened 16 years after the last one as well, that that cycle has continued. There's been a new generation of it. Yeah, in 2010 it was like, oh, we could win this.

We're favorites. We're doing really well. But how about if we've done? Are we haunted? This is not possible anymore? Here, it's like, well, if it's not going to happen here, it's going to happen at some point. It happened in the Euros.

It will happen again. Because the idea of his finally succeeded. We've got to be confused after 2010, but perhaps we didn't choose the right managers, perhaps you didn't choose the right players. Here, this is a national team that has been built for the last 10 years by Luis de la Fuente.

Not on purpose, but Certainly, as we've been saying, 18 of the 26 that are here have been with him in the youth sides. So there is a difference. There is a difference. And you have to give credit to Argentina. And one thing certainly, they defended so well. They made it so difficult to beat them. We knew what we had to do, and we knew we were going to be patient.

By the way, we have been patient in games in this tournament and the goals have came. So you knew it could happen, but they made it really, really difficult, even at the end in playing with. 10. As you said, this is the culmination of an idea of a collection of great minds coming together and putting a plan together for Spain to reach this point. But it's also what you said, and I remember you saying in a preview to this whole tournament, and you said, this is the team. Spain have got individuals, yes, but their collective is what is going to win them this World Cup. You were quite quietly, but very confident. Because Kelly, what tends to happen after you in the World Cup

is that that way of playing is going to be fashionable. I don't know for how long. I don't know if everybody believes in it. I don't know if everybody thinks it's the way forward. But isn't it better to play this way to know that they are good people? But because they're good people that are able to make efforts for each other,

open up space, running for each other, helping each other, supporting each other. And we're taking the essence of a Spanish football that has always been, the pass into a sublime form that actually wins your tournament. So collective pass, intelligence, if this becomes fashionable, football can go to a different direction. Okay, Parfranah donated in the past at club level,

Spanters don't have in the past at the national level, but it will be good that others try it. Physique, great, you take it for granted almost. But if you add intelligence to your football, this is what gets produced. Here inside the stadium, they're assembling the stage on which Spain will be presented with the World Cup. To the right of that stage, the Argentine players are sitting individually on the floor. Heads bowed, exhausted, absolutely wrung out from the monumental effort to try and keep this Spain side.

We've been so impressive throughout the tournament at bay. Meanwhile, the Spain players over to our left in front of that pocket. of Spain fans are wandering around congratulating each other, hugging each other, the conditions, the tournament has taken it out of these players. Lamin Yamar lying on his back, just looking up into the air with his hands on his head, taking in the hugeness of what Spain have achieved here. And Chris Sutton, right from the beginning, Spain have looked like the complete team in this tournament.

Yeah, they have the football they've played and you know, you're, you know, you're, you're ally that with how defensively strong and organized that they have been. The goalkeeper is a cool customer who, and I see even in England was saying, well, you know, how's he playing in front of David Rea? But, you know, he's been exceptional. You think of young Kabasi, the center half, who's been, you know, one of the players of the tournament so mature, so composed. Rodry has probably been the best midfielder and, you know, you can say, Laminumal hasn't got going work. worked out today, put a shift in, but as as Guillaume said, they are and have been the best team,

and it is good for football, and it's good they won today. And as much as I admire Argentina for all their fight and guts and hawsary, it would have been a travesty, really, had they got over the line today. And you have to play to the way that gives you the best chance of success, and it's taken Argentina to a World Cup final. But they came up, Paul, against it, a team who've been so impressive. all the way through and as the Spain players are singing and dancing to the familiar strains that you can hear in the background of Aviva, Spainia.

They're all gathered in a circle bouncing around and celebrating with each other. It's incredible how much energy you can have after you've won when you've played the same game as a group of players who are now absolutely rung out for at the end of this 120 minutes. Yeah and it's not the first 120 minutes that Argentina have had either is it. I mean this is the third time this tournament that they've been. needed extra time and this is one that they were trying to take right to the end right to the bitter end you know there's not made many friends through this tournament the way that they played especially against England as we

recognize that first hand but against other teams the way that they've played not necessarily played the beautiful game as you call it and other than the Argentinian following that they've got here which is absolutely incredible not many other neutral supporters over the tournament and I think Spain as we keep repeating are more than a well-deserved not just on today, but for the whole tournament, you look at the way that they've played and say conceding one goal to win a World Cup final

is an incredible achievement to go all the way through. And actually, when you look at Spain's run to the final, Portugal, Belgium and France, they've beaten three world-class teams there. They've had by far the hardest run to the final without a shadow of a doubt, and they've made light work. I mean, the Portugal game wasn't great, granted that did lack a bit of quality,

but they're beaten Belgium and France on the way. So I mean, not easy teams to get to a final. This is Ferron Torres addressing the crowd but Mikhail Marino has got an ice book an ice pack on his eye Paradeus was a disgrace at the end there was a push on who was it Garcia and then he threw a punch and Marino has got a black eye I think the punch was on Garcia though was it I think you know Marino that was in the messy shot wasn't it under the left foot shot which which he funded but Parado's you I mean, had they been as accurate with their shooting, Argentina,

as Paradeus was with the punching, they may have won the game. Coffee in the morning, coffee in the evening, says bad bunny, and I think there'll be a coffee in the morning, rum in the evening, and I think there'll be a lot celebrating. No coffee. No coffee next note. With the rum in this evening, after Spain had managed to get the World Cup, to win the World Cup again for a second, well, for the first time since 2010.

There are various presentations going on on the pitch. And as you said, there was all that, that kaffofal at the end. It was difficult for us to see from our position. But having looked back at the pictures and having seen what Alan Shira has said about that in his commentary for BBC 1, he says parades threw two or three haymakers into someone's face went for them. We know how much it means. We know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. And the reaction after the final whistle is terrible.

However, what Spain had produced has been incredible. We're watching Laminemian Mar. We saw him line down that the crowd the cameras are focusing on him DEM. He hasn't had the greatest of tournaments. He came into injured. He's 19 years old, turn 19 across the course of the tournament. But it feels like it's more appropriate for this Spain team that actually the key performances have been from players like Rodry who's back to his Ballondor winning best

and like Alex Baena who's been so impressive and whose work rate is exceptional. Kukurea who's a player who probably has the most Argentinians style in him which was very interesting when he came up against Simeone and in this one particularly it feels like it's more appropriate that they're the players who put in the the key performances all that is right but I would have liked a little bit more of Lamine and Ferrand not to miss a call of chances that he had and by the way I don't know how you describe it but Nico Williams goal should have been given I think I don't think the referee get a foul but then we scored and then they

did so I think he blew his whistle at the point where he thought the foul was made. It wasn't much of a foul, but having blown his whistle and ended the game, they can't then get VAR to look at something that is just a foul rather than a denial of a goal. I was next to some Argentinians who were saying, you will say something about the referee now

because they thought, they really honestly thought that Spain would have been benefited by the referee. And I told them about that goal, but okay, I won't mention the details of it. I think I'm right on that, but we'll get one of our refereeing experts to double check because that's not what I am. In any case, I don't think the referee had any influence whatsoever

because we didn't allow it to happen. We passed the ball with fluidity. It's just that, yes, a little bit of Lamine, a sharp of a ran. Could have finished this earlier. But you're right. This, I don't know who the man of the tournament is going to be. I would give it to Roderie. He was absolutely outstanding.

It's not only the guy that's run the longest in the whole tournament, and in average per game. The amount of passes that he gave to beat defenders, he's at the sharpest, he's at the Ballondor level, and it's the reference of the team. In fact, this is, this is Rodry's team, absolutely. Pedri has suffered that. Peter Pedder has had to come out of it

because Rodry is in charge of this team. Five light sports. So here's the first ball of this series. All the cricket you laugh. Check for Elbe W. Lips on BBC sounds. Smash straight back down the ground. This girl.

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At the People World Cup 2026, the Football Daily Podcasts with Kelly Cates. Listen on BBC sounds. The negative noise that you can hear is because the US President's Donald Trump is coming out alongside Janney Infantino. It doesn't seem like they're the most popular people inside this stadium, but they're coming out to present the trophy. Donald Trump, the president, has just made his way out, and I've got to say that was an adverse reaction at best

for when he's greeted by a whole host of security guards, Gianni Infantino as well. You can see him with the white bumps, making the way onto the podium that has been erected in gold and navy blue, with a giant World Cup behind them as well. So the presentations are underway. He's walking very, very slowly, is Donald J. Trump. And that guard of Spain players, John Murray, has formed once again.

Yes, so we will see all of those various prizes being handed out, but it's difficult not to take your eyes off the President of the United States. So the players are at one end of the pitch to our left. Donald Trump and the presentation party, and Johnny Infantino actually arrived through one of the... tunnels on the right hand side of the stadium and also the Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum is there in a bottle green outfit the color of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney as well is part of that line that they're

already now on the stage world's cup 2026 final and as you hear Slavko Vinchich such a proud moment He saw the pictures when it was announced the information was given to him that he would be refereeing the World Cup final and how openly emotionally was. Well, he walks up the steps and we now see the order of the handing of the medals. And it is Janie Infantino who will first greet the players. And it is Donald Trump who will put those medals around their necks. In fact, they're both doing it. Johnny Infantino and Donald Trump for the various officials who are involved in this.

So that looks, we now know the order And then in the end, it will be Donald Trump Who will walk across them. The World Cup is there, the trophy is there on a podium Which has flashing lights on it And it was placed there by Sergio Ramos And eventually that trophy will be handed to Roderie. But we'll see all of the Argentina players come up first

And as I say, the various awards, Kelly. And we're just watching as the procession is organized as Argentina are set to come through and Tim Vickery is still with us. Tim, these Argentina players are going to be so stunned by this defeat but there are many of them within that squad who are kind of coming to the end of their careers.

They're international careers. Yes, it's a relatively aging side, isn't it? And I think, I'm sure that this will influence the decision of Leon O'Messi to see, all right, Argentina had a day less rest. and that was a factor, but they were very much second best, weren't they? Very, very much second best. I didn't record a shot of any kind until right at the end.

And I would now be, on the basis of what we've seen today, I will be very, very surprised if we still see him in four years. It's possible he could get a spark between now and then, but you'd imagine it'll be time for Argentina to build a new side. And there are young players still within that, within that, squad who there will be able to to build it around it just it's that there will be a natural kind of rebuilding of this Argentina squad yes Stallone has been planning for this he's been he's been looking well well beyond this World Cup so there are players like Nico Paz who it's hard for

Nico Paz at an attacking midfield out a wonderful season with Comor in Italy it's hard for him to play alongside Messi's why he's hardly got on the field this time around but he's going to be important player for Argentina's future. And there's a few that he's brought into the squad and had a look at and didn't bring to this World Cup. But they're already involved in the process. And whether Scolone stays on

because it's been eight years now in a very, very tiring job. And they all must be exhausted now, I think, Argentina. So it'll be a new era for them. But for these last five years, two Cop America's, a World Cup in the middle, another World Cup final. Here's a team, as Messi said on the eve of the game,

he said whatever happens, this group of players have written a story that we will never forget. John Murray, quite tricky to work out exactly what's going on and when it's happening at the moment inside this stadium, but the individual wards are currently being presented. Yeah, an air of disorganisation about it. Poubasi, Pau Kubasi was announced as the young player. He rather bashfully stepped forward.

Then he was sent to actually walk through the avenue of his team, who patted him on the head as he did so. Then he walked along the line in Fantino Trump et al. And then he was presented with the Young Player Award. And now Unai Simon is doing the same thing. And he has got the Golden Glove. And he walks onto the stage. And that is captured for posterity.

He's framed by, because they've also erected a 10-meter-tall image of the World Cup in the center circle. the center circle so unai simon there as we know it is the Spanish captain who's announced as the player of the tournament and he walks up with a very satisfied smile on his face to to receive his trophy and actually Claudia Shainbaum is presenting him with with that trophy so these are the individual trophies and they'll announce as well that that Killion and Baffa has won the golden boot before we actually get

get the full presentation of the trophy. But, Guillem, you were saying this is a well-deserved presentation to Roder, a well-deserved award for Rodry. In a real team that Spain have managed to create, he has been a standout player, if not a sparkling player, and if not a player of highlights and a moment, but so important to what Spain do. And there was a point for him at which it felt as though

maybe his career had gone, because of injury and because it felt like he maybe wasn't going to be able to come back from that to the heights. And now he's there receiving an individual award as a World Cup winner. Totally, totally. He's been talking openly about how last season, having recovered from the injury,

he wasn't sure if he was gonna get to the level that he was before and had a conversation with Pep Wardiola, many conversations, but one in particular in which he said, Peb, let me stop. I need to just take stock of what's happened, get my body in a right shape. This is a World Cup, and the World Cup became the priority. And then having come back from, I think it was like a month and a half,

almost two months off, what you got was Roderick that was sharp, got injured for the last couple of weeks before the end of the season, but now he's at his best again. And now led by Lionel Messi, Argentina, make their way up through that Spain Guard of Honor to collect their runners-up medals. And this, you would feel Chris Sutton has to sting for those Argentina players who, while they may take criticism for how they've approached this World Cup, have given everything.

Yeah, they have. And there's a lot to be admired, you know, about the effort they've put in, the guts, the desire that they have shown. They never know when they're beaten. They were beaten by a better team today. This one is going to sting. But, as I said earlier on in the tournament, I think this is a pretty average Argentina size to ones we've seen. previous to this of course the holders last time out but that's a that'll feel a real sore one for them today a real sickner and you can just tell the players getting

their runners-up medals and the body language shoulder slumped yeah that'll be a day to forget but I think they can be proud of of the effort and the endeavor they put in throughout the tournament I think Messi was thinking of taking his medal out and put it back on almost as if saying defeat is part of the sport it does it does happen we don't have to just be bitter about it just accept it and and move on he has had in his career a lot of defeats and he comes from winning four consecutive tournaments so it's the sign of a captain that that perhaps accepts the feet and leonle messy in tears on the pitch as he's left the podium now as in standing in front of

that there are argenti China fans right round this stadium. But over to the right-hand side is where the huge bank of them are concentrated. And they are waving their scarves and they are singing to these players. And Messi is in floods of tears in front of them, possibly because he knows this will be his last World Cup appearance for Argentina. There is a possibility that he might push himself for four years' time where they will have a game in Argentina. when that tournament has played across three continents. But Messi, inconsolable at the moment.

Tim Vickery, thoughts on what he's given to Argentina and what he means to the Argentina fans, of course, but also to the rest of the Argentina squad. Well, it all could have ended here in this very stadium 10 years ago when he very briefly retired from international football. How wonderful that it didn't and that he achieved everything that he had with basketball. Barcelona. Late in his career, he managed to achieve that with the Argentina national team as well.

He becomes the key reference for the future generation players. If this is the last time that the World Cup sees him, it's not the last time he's mentioned in the context of World Cups, because future generations will be trying to emulate what he did. So if this is the last time that we've seen him, he's played a wonderful tournament at the age of 38, going into 39. He's left us with some with some... stunning memories and you can't win all the time. And defeat is a part of victory. That's always the way that it's been.

And at least they weren't humiliated today. They fought to the end. Messi almost conjured them one or two opportunities right at the end. It wasn't to be the right side has won. And as some of those Argentina backroom staff are nudged out the way by the crew who are unfurling an enormous Spain flag across the pitch here at the MetLife Arena. Spain, John Murray are making their way

up to receive their winners medals and lift the trophy. Yes, under blue skies with the sun still shining on this enormous stadium, 80,000 people, most of whom have stayed. Indeed, the Argentina fans as well. The Spanish players have started receiving their medals, but the Argentina players have moved away. And you know, that clearly was a painful moment. The World Cup winners in Qatar four years ago, they had to, led by Leon O'Messi, they had to walk past the trophy they lifted four years ago. They've actually gone away to the end where the Argentina fans are. So they walk towards their dressing room, which is in the far right corner.

And they have stayed on the pitch, and they are staring into the stands where the mass ranked of the Argentina fans are. And they are by the 100, possibly by the 1,000, the Argentina fans waving shirts above their heads. And Argentina's players actually looking at them and with their backs to where the Spanish players are receiving their medals. that the eyes fall back now to the line of Spanish players, the 26, with Luis Delafonte as well, waiting at the back of that line.

I mean, it is an extraordinary run that he has had as the coach of Spain. This is now 15 matches for Delafonte at either a European championship or a World Cup finals tournament in which they are unbeaten, a record for a coach and he is waiting at the back of the line with Roderie who's got someone to hold the award that he's already received as the player of the tournament and we see the players coming up the the golden blue steps of this podium it is across the halfway line there is that 10 meter tall image of the World Cup standing behind the stage beyond that

there is the flag of Spain another one of those flags that you've seen before the matches. So that is out there on its own. And we see the Spanish players. The next one up is Ojas Rval who has finished as Spain's top scorer at this World Cup with his five goals.

We're substituted today. Then it's the teenager, one of the two 19-year-olds. Pao Kubasi, who is next up in line. Just two or three more players to receive their medals before we will have. the presentation of the trophy when I see him on then Mark Cukerea on his way

from London to Madrid after this world cook to join Rail Madrid he is up there Johnny and Fantino has a big smile on his face as he lifts the the medal we're on the ribbon over all of that hair of his and places it around his neck and then Victor Munoz who is Liverpool bound this summer and then Bohus Iglesias as well, the number 26. So that is all of the players, apart from the coach. Luis della Fuente, this 65-year-old, he loves his history, he loves his Roman history.

He's absolutely steeped in it while he's making history of his own. With no distinguished club record to speak of at all, that international football at the various age groups and now at senior level is absolutely his name. thing and President Trump has plenty of words to say to the coach has to say on this warm afternoon now evening here he has looked very cool Luis Delafento and now it's Roderie who comes forward Roderie captain of Spain at this World Cup Spain the first country to win the World Cup for a second time in this century and

Roderie now Donald Trump allows him to walk past and we'll see I'm assuming that Donald Trump will actually step forward and put the trophy in his hands. The rest of his teammates are gathered around. Luis de la Fuente now joins them there. And he reaches the end of the line and actually Roderie goes and gives it a big kiss and then walks away. And Johnny and Fentino says to Donald Trump, come on, Mr. President, step forward. And they are actually the two of them.

Johnny and Fentino rather like the Club World Cup final last year when Chelsea won it. They are actually going to take the trophy between them, Johnny and Fantino and President Trump, and they are going to hand it now to Rodry. And there it is, in Roderie's hands. The European champions of two years ago have won the World Cup now, just like Spain did in 2010.

Then Spain triumphed in South Africa. As Donald Trump walks across in front of them, pumping his fist, we've seen that before. And now Roderie turns, And he holds the World Cup trophy, he kisses it again, and Spain have done it in North America. World champions! And what good world champions they have been.

They've conceded one goal in eight matches. A dominant team led by Roderie of Manchester City. And the golden glitter is pumped out by the machines behind the stage. And the Spanish players, Roderie with the World Cup trophy in his hands, They bounce up and down and then begin the process of handing it around. What fine winners of the World Cup. Spain have been. And Argentina and Glen O'Messie, they applaud and now begin to head away.

And Spain can really begin their celebrations in earnest here in the sunshine in New Jersey. And it all came down to a winning goal from Ferrand Torres. Here's how it sounded on Spain's Radio Nacional. And that was the Mildo Mild and a bit of the right and the Mian Mal, and the Minn, the Minn, the Minn, he toca,

back, back, and the Cabeza. And that was the goal that won the World Cup for Spain for the first time since 2010. And the players still down on the podium, still celebrating. And now the backroom staff are down there,

they're being joined by a cast of dozens as they all celebrate together. And that stage that they've assembled in the middle of the pitch is covered in gold glitter and it is gleaming in the lake sunlight here in New Jersey. The air is sparkling with gold glitter for the world champions. Guillaume Ballagay listening to the commentary

watching that moment. How is it for you? You know, we won it twice in my lifetime. It's just an incredible feeling of having reached the climax of the sport we dedicate our life to. You have to say it like that. Everything we do is around weekends and games and meeting people

and taking some of these people that you see on the stand there for dinner or having chats late at night in Chattanoa about what was supposed to happen, especially after Cavaverde. And some of them have been, all of them, I would say, so open fireworks are coming out now. We should say that because we're in America that these are fireworks that we can hear going off around the building. But you're right, there have been so many moments.

And a lot of them come down in this World Cup, not necessarily to what has happened on the pitch, but to those moments that are shared between people who have that same love of what they're seeing in front of them. Yeah, it's quite clear that they have to shield themselves because there's a bunch of us, there's twice the amount of people, journalists that they were in Johannesburg.

And yet they all had found a time to just join us for a quiet, some of the coaching staff. De La Fuente has a time to sit down with us. And it's like, all right, ask whatever off the record. So they've been the side that has been more open of the whole tournament. We had an interview every single day.

We had a press conference every single day. And on top of that, we sat with some of them to just go back to Cabo Verde and the fact that the football was very fluid. How Pedri came off the lineup, how Olmo came on and made a difference. How instead of Marcos Jore was chosen, how well or bad Lamine was and how hard he was getting for him to be sharp,

how difficult it was for Nico against Ruudu White to get injured again, but he thought he was going to be important. And he had been two years ago, but he had a good spell at the end of this game. How Rodri seemed a little bit heavy in the first game, but they were telling us, don't worry, don't worry. As soon as basically they told us that the group stage is going to be used now in World Cops for signs like Spain,

or the big sides to get the team sharp. So decisions will be taken. Just the team gets ready for the knockout stages. And that's exactly what happened. He's like, do you know when people talk about Pepp Wardola telling the players what's about to happen? They walk into the pitch and that's exactly what happened. They take the emotion out.

Although Roy Kien points out that when you have players as good as the ones that he's had at the clubs where he's been, they will not be unpredictable players. They will do exactly what you demand of them and then the game plan will work out. But when you have the right players, that's exactly what happened. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah, but what I was trying to say is that Feb reads the game so well that tells the players what's about to happen. So when they happen, they're not surprised. I feel the same with this national side. I don't want to call it, it's not predictable. It's just the fact that we knew we were going to control every game, which we have.

We were superior to every team. In fact, I mean, we won every single game of the Euros and the World Cup, apart from the Cabo Verde dro. Every single game has been a victory. It's a winning machine. And because I belong to another generation, I don't recognize these guys. Who are these guys?

They're from Mars. But they just seem to be able to win in different ways too. But, you know, I am old enough, just like you, to remember a time when that very much was not the case. And there was a point, wasn't there, where you did think, well, about like we've been saying with England, are they ever going to do it?

And we've been wondering how we went from one side to the other, if you like, and there's a psychological blockage of portifying, finals in 2008, we'd be detailing the quarter finals, a penalty of CESC, in the penalty shootout, and all of a sudden there was a release and there was confidence and there was comfort that the idea was good, the idea was successful. So it was just a continuation of the idea and the process and the people in charge, even though Luis Aragonese left, but Vicente del Bosque continue with the same idea. And then after Vicente del Bosque, in Brazil, for instance, it was like, look, we won everything.

So let them, they're not ready, but let them just fail, which is what we did. And after that, we haven't got it right, but we've gone back to our idea. Once you, whatever idea it is that you grab with you both hands, England, just grab it and go for it. Because eventually, eventually, are you not that far, it will give you success. Guillem as well, speaking a little bit more widely, because, you know, there's been recent history, hasn't there, between the United States and Spain. Will there be some amusement back home at the third? sight of Donald Trump presenting Spain

with the World Cup. It's just that Donald Trump has got, seems to have the memory for fish. He had a go at us, but he's forgotten. He's forgotten. He's very happy sharing time with our players. But yes, yes, there's a little bit of amusement about that for sure. Guillem, I know you can't go back to your mums to celebrate

but there is a lot of celebrating to do this evening. So thank you so much for spending the time with us and sharing this extraordinary moment, this World Cup winning moment with us. Thank you, Guillaume. I'll send you the address of the party if you want to join me later. Always.

And thank you very much to Tim Vickery as well for your company across the whole of this tournament, Tim. It's been a pleasure as always. John Murray, final thoughts on this extraordinarily long and at times strange tournament that's had all kinds of moments that we haven't seen before from the huge emphasis on the celebrities. the celebrities from the half-time show, from the big build-up to the closing ceremony, to the whole razzle-dazzle of the whole thing. And yet it all boiled down to one great team. Yeah, it did. And that is the thing. And you're absolutely right. You know, whether it's the countdowns, whether it's the third place teams going through, the head-to-head decide us. Remember how we

talked about that. And everything that happened as well, all of the political stuff beforehand, the visa issues, everything with Iran. I mean, looking back now, don't you think, particularly with the news of this weekend, isn't it extraordinary? We had a World Cup where Iran came here and played at the time that they are at war with the United States. So there was that.

You know, we had the promise that it would be the biggest. They keep calling it the best World Cup. I'm not sure about that. I'm with Ian on that. We've had this discussion, haven't we, about whether this has been the best World Cup or not. But it's certainly been the biggest. They promised Super Bowl occasions, 104 Super Bowls.

They did their best to try and do that. And, you know, there was so much else wrapped up in this. But some of the matches have been amazing. And the drama, the turnarounds, they've been very, very few disappointing letdown matches. And some of them have come during the knockout stages, but they have had the tension to them. And, you know, for Scotland,

they've really left their mark on them. this World Cup, if not in terms of the result here, but we know that. We went up to Boston, and we found how everyone had absolutely loved them being there. And for England, what a story that was. Not the story that England supporters wanted, but they went out with that, I don't know how to describe that match last night, but they went out with it. And here we are, Spain have won it, and it's great with the individuals, the celebrities, the Razumataz. It's a proper football team that's won this World Cup. and Dennis, Paul Robinson, Chris Sutton.

Thank you very much for your company at the MetLife Arena for this World Cup final 2026. And that is it. After 104 games, the biggest World Cup, the longest World Cup, has come to an end. From the Azteca to Texas to Toronto, thank you so much for being here with us on Five Live for the last six weeks. Thank you especially to our team here in New Jersey tonight. All our commentators, our producers, our engineers, who are. who've got us on air from various parts of the USA, Mexico, Canada, to our teams back at Solford,

who've helped to make sure that you can hear voices from right across the world and bring you more than 400 hours of World Cup coverage from across this continent and every continent. If you thought this one was big, the next one is across three continents. We'll be building up to that one shortly, but that is it from us.

Start spreading. the news, Spain have won the World Cup. Good night. The 2023 Ballandor, France footballer is Lionel Messi. The winner is Chris. This is the story of the greatest rivalry in the history of sport, a rivalry that split football into two fates for a generation. There could be no, oh, Messi and Ronaldo, are both great players. There had to be one that was better. They 100 million percent pushed each other to the next level. We were the lucky one who got to see it.

I'm Steve Crossman. This is Sporting Giants, Messi v. Ronaldo. Listen first on BBC Sounds. A vicious gang of hackers, causing chaos for businesses, councils and hospitals. What if I don't finish this treatment and his cancer grows? But they didn't care. I'm dying laughing. Making outrageous demands for money.

They wanted millions. It was high tech and high stakes. The country's under attack. And it was highly secretive until someone exposed it all. Cyberhack, season four, The Conti Files. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your BBC podcasts.