France, July 20 -- It was his first goal of the tournament.

"Honestly, I cannot believe it," said the 26-year-old Barcelona forward. "I did not think too much when the ball came to me, I shot with all the power of the Spanish people."

The blow with his left foot was Spain's 20th shot on the Argentina goal during a final they had dominated.

And for all Spain's vaunted neat passing patterns in midfield, the strike was refreshingly old school.

Pedro Porro's deep cross from the right side of the field was headed back by Nico Williams and Torres swept the ball over Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez and three defenders on the line into the net. Argentina reduced to 10 men

With 15 minutes left, Argentina pressed forward for the equaliser de...