Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday to win the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history.
Ferran Torres scored the winner for the European champions in the 106th minute of a brutal contest against the defending champions at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated the showpiece with a possession-based gameplan, tallying 20 efforts at goal and seeing a Nico Williams strike controversially chalked off.
Argentina, in contrast, failed to register a single shot on target and had Enzo Fernández sent off at the end of regulation time after receiving two yellow cards.
‘A date with destiny’
“It was written and we deserve it – this team and this wonderful fanbase deserve everything,” De la Fuente said post-match according to the BBC.
“We had a date with destiny and we wanted to make it count.
“The players have asked me what we have left to win.
“Together we’ve figured out that it’s the next match in September [against England in the Nations League] because this team is tireless.”
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Scaloni proud despite defeat
Scaloni, meanwhile, was quoted by The Guardian as saying: “We have tried up until the very last minute to give our utmost, the staff and players.
“This place is wonderful – it is a dream place.
“We would never have imagined, including my staff, that we would be in this place.”
Asked about his future with the national team, he added: “In order to continue, you need a great deal of things, especially resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again.
“That is very difficult to create again.”
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Torres completes fairytale win
Torres, speaking in the mixed zone after the game, said on Sky Sports: “Destiny was written – it was made for us to win.
“I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people, not just those of us that are here.
“We’re far from our people, but we tried to be as close as possible to them.
“Finals are hard. When you have [Lionel] Messi on the opposing team, you do get worried, but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again.
“I’ve been criticised throughout the whole tournament but, as I said before, destiny was written.”
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Merino hails golden generation
Elsewhere, Spain’s Mikel Merino told ITV: “Unbelievable – it’s the perfect moment for us.
“We are such a golden generation with these young players that give everything they have for this country, for these fans.
“We got the trophy. It was a game about concentration. We knew we were a better team in terms of football.
“The pitch was dry. It was a difficult game because they are a very, very competitive side and they know how to make the game difficult for you.
“I think the team was outstanding and we deserve it.”
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SportJustSport writers