After nearly 40 unforgettable days, the World Cup reached its conclusion. Although the final lacked the drama fans hoped for, there was a sense of justice in seeing the most consistent team lift the trophy.

When Spain hoisted the World Cup trophy on Sunday evening, it felt like football justice had been served. While the match itself — Spain versus Argentina — was far from thrilling and might go down as one of the least exciting finals in recent memory, the better side ultimately prevailed. In a way, football itself won.

As always, the end of the tournament brings reflection. The first major takeaway is that Lionel Messi’s Argentina fell short. At 39, Messi has almost certainly played his final match for his country. It’s a bittersweet moment — a reminder of his greatness and also a testament to how far he carried a flawed Argentine side.

The second point is that Spain quietly demonstrated excellence throughout the tournament. Their football wasn’t flashy, but it was ruthlessly efficient. They dismantled Argentina in a 1-0 win that felt like ‘death by a thousand six-yard passes.’

After 104 matches, 39 days, and plenty of highs and lows, the World Cup is now over. But how should we assess this final and the tournament as a whole? GOAL’s writers break it all down.

Did Spain deserve their win?

Tom Hindle: Absolutely, 100000%. Argentina didn’t come to play football; they relied heavily on tactical fouls and Messi’s individual brilliance. Spain may not have been thrilling to watch, but their game plan worked perfectly. It took time to land the decisive blow, but they were fully deserving winners. Had Argentina tried to engage properly, it could’ve been a much better contest.

Alex Labidou: It wasn’t the prettiest football, and fans perhaps wanted to see Lamine Yamal take centre stage, but yes — Spain fully deserved both the win over Argentina and the title overall.

To put this into perspective, Spain silenced two of the tournament’s best teams — France and Argentina — and also shut down Portugal and Belgium. Those were four favourites, and Spain conceded just one goal across those matches. You could argue this is one of the finest defensive teams in World Cup history.

Ryan Tolmich: Without question. Spain were clearly the best team of the tournament. Argentina simply couldn’t compete with them. Spain’s run — beating Portugal, Belgium, France, and Argentina — left no doubt they were worthy champions.

Was this the worst World Cup final ever?

TH: Quite possibly. The 2022 final set unrealistic expectations with its chaos and quality. Most finals are cautious affairs, with both sides more focused on avoiding defeat. Both these teams had flaws — Argentina lacked pace and attacking alternatives to Messi, while Spain lacked a clinical striker through the middle.

Neither wanted to turn it into an open, transitional battle. The result? Endless short passes and nearly 50 fouls — a midfield slugfest that offered little entertainment for neutral viewers.

AL: In recent times, yes, probably. Argentina didn’t manage a single shot until late in extra time, and the match was littered with unnecessary fouls and niggles throughout.

Many will compare it to the 2010 final, which Spain also won, but that game carried more romantic storylines. That Spain team, featuring attacking icons like David Villa, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, and Fernando Torres, is considered one of the greatest ever. Their defensive display then was the exception, not the rule.

RT: Not quite. The stakes made up for some of the dull play. With Messi and Yamal involved, there was inherent tension. While not a classic by any means, Spain’s control and dominance were impressive. There have been far less memorable finals in the past.

Did Argentina’s loss affect Messi’s legacy?

TH: Not at all. Messi’s legacy was secured in 2022 when he confirmed his status as the greatest of all time. If anything, carrying a weaker Argentina squad to another final enhances his legend. It might sting that Pele still has one more World Cup, but it doesn’t diminish Messi’s greatness.

AL: No. At 39, Messi arguably remained the tournament’s standout performer before the final. He broke numerous records on the way. While he missed the chance to surpass Pele’s two World Cup titles, his achievements already make his claim to the GOAT title extremely strong.

RT: Definitely not. A win would have elevated his legacy even further, but the defeat does nothing to harm it. Messi’s performances this summer silenced any doubts about his enduring quality. If anything, his reputation only grew stronger despite the loss.

Is Spain’s defence the best in World Cup history?

TH: Individually, no. But as a collective? Yes. It’s an unusual mix, with Pau Cubarsi the only truly elite defender. Yet, supported by Rodri shielding the backline and Fabian Ruiz providing balance, Spain were almost impossible to break down. In another universe, Didier Deschamps might have changed tactics and beaten them, but not this time.

AL: Yes. While players like Fabio Cannavaro or Carles Puyol may have been better individually, as a unit, Spain were suffocating. Luis de la Fuente deserves immense credit for setting up such a tactically disciplined and impregnable defence.

RT: The numbers speak for themselves. Statistically, it’s not even close. Spain’s defensive cohesion, especially with the midfield’s support, was exceptional. For the few moments they didn’t have the ball, they were virtually flawless.

Did the 48-team format work?

TH: Both yes and no. The inclusion of smaller teams brought joy and fresh stories, but the 16-group structure lacked balance and reduced final-day excitement. The next edition, expected to feature 64 teams, could restore that drama.

AL: Overall, yes. FIFA reported nearly 7 million tickets sold — more than the population of some countries or American states. The group stage was entertaining and showcased how global the sport has become. Credit where it’s due — FIFA got this one right.

RT: Absolutely. In fact, expand to 64 as soon as possible. The talent pool is deep enough, and the tournament’s most inspiring moments came from so-called underdogs. Let’s bring in sides like Italy, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Poland to make it an even bigger global celebration.

How would you rate this World Cup out of 10?

TH: 8. The football was mostly outstanding, Messi’s run was memorable, and the best team won. Some off-field controversies, however, bring the score down slightly.

AL: A solid 8/10. The group stage and knockout rounds were magical, but the final lacked spark and ended flatly.

RT: Also an 8. While the final underwhelmed, the rest of the tournament delivered superb entertainment, both on and off the pitch. With a more exciting finale, it could have been near perfect.