Spain’s golden generation is already aiming at 2030
After a 1-0 World Cup final win over Argentina, Spain’s young, record-setting champions may have a home encore waiting in 2030.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain lifted the World Cup after a 1-0 win over Argentina in New York, and CBS Sports reported that La Roja did it with a defensive mark no finalist had ever managed: Argentina did not put a shot on target in 90 minutes.
Ferran Torres scored the goal that settled the final, according to CBS Sports, closing an unbeaten tournament in which Spain scored in every match except one. The title is Spain’s second World Cup, adding to a run that already included Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League under manager Luis de la Fuente.
The scary part for everyone else is the age sheet. CBS Sports put Spain’s average age at 26.2, with Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and a deep supporting cast making this feel less like a finish line than a launch pad.
A record wall at the back
Spain conceded one goal across the tournament, CBS Sports reported, breaking the previous record for fewest goals allowed by a World Cup winner. The outlet noted that Spain’s 2010 team, France in 1998 and Italy in 2006 had each allowed two, but those champions played seven matches. This Spain side played eight because of the expanded format.
The numbers were tidy from start to finish. CBS Sports reported that the highest expected-goals total Spain allowed in any match was 0.67 against Portugal, while Saudi Arabia managed just 0.08.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, in what CBS Sports described as possibly his final World Cup, was held to 54 touches and one shot. The report said he struggled to create before Enzo Fernández was sent off for a challenge on Cubarsi.
Cubarsi, 19, was named Best Young Player of the tournament, according to CBS Sports. He formed part of a defense led by goalkeeper Unai Simon and protected by Rodri.
Yamal was not the whole show
Yamal arrived with star power after producing a goal and four assists at Euro 2024 as a 17-year-old, according to CBS Sports. At this World Cup, though, he scored only once, in the group stage against Saudi Arabia.
That did not slow Spain. CBS Sports pointed to the squad’s balance, including Nico Williams missing time through injury, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz rotating, and Pedro Porro taking the starting right-back job from Marcos Llorente during the tournament.
Porro praised Yamal after the final, saying: “I think Lamine [Yamal] is an incredible player.” He added that the biggest thing was to congratulate a young teammate who had just won the World Cup.
Porro also said he wanted to call his grandfather after the final, explaining that his grandfather had told him days earlier: “Bring it home, son.”
The next target is on home soil
De la Fuente’s run now includes the Nations League, the European Championship and the World Cup, CBS Sports reported. The manager said the Euro triumph helped show the squad what it could achieve, according to the outlet, and Spain did not trail for a single minute during the World Cup.
Simon is already thinking about the next star. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with matches also set for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
“Winning a World Cup, there is nothing else on a sporting level,” Simon said, according to CBS Sports. “I think we only have to wait four to get another star, but for now, I think we have to enjoy it and be aware of what we've done.”
If Spain’s core returns healthy, CBS Sports noted that Yamal will be 23 by the time that tournament arrives. The champions have the trophy now, and their next chase may come with home crowds behind them.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.