It’s hard to argue against the popular feeling that 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup winners Spain were in fact the best team in the tournament which ended Sunday in New York.

In terms of ball possession, intent, goalscoring chances, Spain completely dominated defending champions Argentina to claim their second World Cup title following their famous 2010 triumph.

It’s testament to the bullheaded, never-say-die attitude of the Argentines — down to 10 men for the entire period of extra time — that for all Spain’s superiority, just a single goal separated the sides at the end.

That’s after 120 minutes (plus) of tense, but enthralling football.

Crucially — Spain very efficient in all departments — closed down the extraordinary Argentine talisman, 39-year-old Mr Lionel Messi as a goalscoring threat until very late in the game.

Spanish talent, discipline, and know-how effectively denied Mr Messi the blaze of glory he, his teammates, their country, and fans worldwide so craved in what could well be his last major international tournament.

And when Spanish second-half substitute Mr Ferran Torres, a highly decorated striker finally beat the magnificent Argentine goalkeeper Mr Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute, with an unstoppable shot, even hard-nosed neutrals recognised a deserving goal.

Statisticians record that by then Mr Martinez had made 12 saves, a few of them — to our eyes — near miraculous.

By contrast, the Spanish goalkeeper, Mr Unai Simón, was hardly tested, if at all, having given up just one goal in the entire tournament — a new World Cup record.

For Spain, an under-achieving football power going back generations, having won their first major title — the European championships in 1964 — this World Cup title is undoubtedly the fruit of years in the making.

It was the next logical step after winning the 2023 Nation’s league, 2024 Euros, and the 2024 Olympic Games gold medal.

For Spanish head coach, 65-year-old Mr Luis de la Fuente, who took charge in 2022 after many years of guiding players at youth level — including some who triumphed on Sunday — this World Cup represents the stuff of dreams.

And while for many the final lacked the excitement of the chaotic third-place goal fest, which ended with England beating France 6-4, football purists were gripped in its vice from start to finish.

From a spectator’s standpoint, this was a World Cup tournament worth its weight in gold, despite extreme anxiety caused by war between co-hosts United States and participating country Iran — the latter eliminated in the first round.

There was also controversy surrounding allegations of poor, even biased officiating.

At the tournament’s beginning six weeks ago there was plentiful scepticism regarding an increase of participating countries from 32 to 48. Quality would be watered down, some claimed. Now, even previous naysayers are hailing the 48-team initiative as a spectacular success.

There’s talk of a possible 64-team competition for the next World Cup in 2030 with southern European nations Spain and Portugal and their North African neighbours Morocco as co-hosts; and across the Atlantic in South America, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay also hosting games to mark the centenary of the tournament.

Indications are that the 2026 World Cup was a huge money spinner. That consideration will very possibly decide what happens in 2030.