Ferran Torres’ first goal of this year’s World Cup was the goal of his life, and it put Spain back atop the footballing world.

Denying Lionel Messi a second-straight title in what he has indicated would be his final World Cup match, Torres came off the bench and scored in the 106th minute and Spain — in a match it simply dominated — ended Argentina’s reign with a 1-0 win yesterday.

Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.