Spain Wins World Cup as Trump Booed at Trophy Ceremony
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- Spain won the World Cup, defeating Argentina with Ferran Torres scoring the goal that proved decisive after the match went to extra time.
- Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino were roundly booed as they entered the field for the trophy presentation ceremony, with Infantino later quietly ushering Trump aside during Spain's celebrations.
- The halftime show ran approximately 27 minutes and featured Madonna arriving on a car driven by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, BTS performing "Dynamite," Justin Bieber, Shakira with Burna Boy, and the Muppets' Animal playing drums on "Seven Nation Army."
- Lionel Messi was in tears receiving his medal, with the blog noting it was almost certainly his final World Cup match as the Argentina crowd sang to him.
- Argentina's Molina punched a Spanish substitute who had run onto the field to celebrate the victory.
- FIFA deliberately did not show Trump on the stadium video screens during the halftime show, while Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams, and Zidane were shown and not booed.
Why it matters: Spain's victory caps a tournament run and returns the trophy to Europe, while the crowd's booing of Trump at one of the world's most-watched sporting events — and FIFA's apparent decision to keep him off the jumbotron during the show itself — highlights the politically charged reception that shadowed this US-hosted final.
