Critics blasted Argentina for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, cementing the country's status as World Cup villain that grew throughout the tournament.

At New York-New Jersey Stadium on Monday, several storylines came full circle in the World Cup final.

It was not the homecoming Argentines had hoped for, four years after millions celebrated their team's tournament victory in 2022, but fresh scenes of joyful chaos filled the street as they danced, sang and set off fireworks to thank the players.

"At the World Cup will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri." Those words from Pep Guardiola, spoken while Rodri was still recovering from the injury, sounded more like an act of faith than a prediction.

Lionel Messi said on Monday that after Argentina's World Cup final loss "the pain is immense and it's going to take a long time for this wound to heal."

New World Cup champions Spain began their celebration parade on an open-top bus through the streets of Madrid on Monday early evening, with a jubilant crowd of over a million people out to celebrate, local authorities told AFP.

The seeds of institutional continuity have grown into a towering success.

That Argentina got to a final is a mark of the unbelievable World Cup Lionel Messi played.

Pau Cubarsi did not produce viral highlights or spectacular goals. Instead, he built something every champion needs: a defensive wall.

For both Bangladeshi observers, the verdict was ultimately the same. The World Cup itself will be remembered for its relentless drama and competitiveness, even if its final chapter proved more clinical than captivating.

Two of the most contrasting scenes of the FIFA World Cup unfolded within the space of just 24 hours.

Luis de la Fuente's side reclaimed top spot for the first time since January after beating 2022 world champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's World Cup final.

A Spanish flag fluttered from the cockpit window as the Iberia aircraft carrying the squad taxied to the terminal at Madrid-Barajas airport at 14:30 local time (12:30 GMT) under clear blue skies.

For FIFA, the tournament represented far more than football. The governing body is expected to end its current four-year commercial cycle with revenues approaching $15 billion, nearly double the $7.6 billion generated from the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

Although it was a tough final, Rodri was in no doubt that his team deserved to join their Spanish 2010 predecessors by lifting the biggest prize in the game.

The 48-year-old was appointed manager after Argentina crashed out of the 2018 World Cup in the round of 16 amid skepticism about his lack of head coaching experience and only brief time as an assistant.

Cucurella said earlier this week that he would tattoo the coach's face on his body if Spain lifted the trophy.

From Monday, the flags will gradually come down. Midnight alarms will be switched off. Tea stalls will close a little earlier, and conversations will return to work, exams and the routines that had briefly been put on hold. The borrowed dreams will be folded away until another World Cup arrives.

Nervous excitement and rowdy cheers turned into anguished groans, nailbiting tension and tears, as Argentines' hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain.

Messi, who had scored eight goals in the tournament and delivered four assists, was very quiet.