Spain captain Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy aloft while surrounded by his teammates after the 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in Sunday's final Credit: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

It was a World Cup in which football’s biggest names sprinkled stardust over the tournament, yet in the end the trophy deservingly went to a formidable if unspectacular Spain side who were simply too strong, even without Lamine Yamal being at his thrilling best.

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