Spain are on top of the footballing world once more.

It took 106 minutes to break Argentina down in the Fifa World Cup final in New Jersey on Monday morning, but a Ferran Torres strike was the difference in a 1-0 extra-time win.

It was a clash of approaches in the match as Spain, who had conceded just one goal at the tournament coming into the final, went in search of goals from the outset.

And after so much was made of England shutting up shop and trying to defend a lead against Argentina in the semi-final, Argentina might be left to question their defence-heavy approach to the contest.

While Spain tested goalkeeper Emi Martinez constantly through the 90-plus minutes of normal time, Argentina failed to register a single shot attempt before the extra time period.

That saw Lionel Messi with nary a role to play as his side fought to keep Spain at bay.

A red card to midfielder Enzo Fernandez – a second yellow card after a poor challenge – late in the second half made the mountain that much steeper for the defending champions.

Ultimately, it took until the second half of extra time for Spain to break through, Torres – a 61st-minute substitute – with what proved to be the World Cup-winning strike.

Like they did against England, Argentina were sparked to life after the goal, launching several promising attacks of their own and having chances to equaliser, but it was too little too late.

Spain claimed their first men’s World Cup since their 2010 triumph in South Africa and now hold both men’s and women’s titles.

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