US President Donald Trump has been booed at the World Cup final before an awkward moment in which he refused to leave the stage as Spanish players waited to lift their trophy.

Trump had earlier watched Spain beat Argentina 1-0 from behind thick glass in a box with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Spain was dominant in terms of possession and shot attempts in Monday’s title decider at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Lionel Messi and Argentina found a way to hang on and force extra time – but barely. In the opening moment of the second 15-minute period of extra time, substitute Ferran 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 to give Spain a 1-0 lead.

“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.

Maybe not by them – but certainly for them.

It was Spain’s second title, this trophy adding to the one claimed in 2010. And there’s no question about the centre of the soccer universe now, not after this display.

European champion Spain allowed only one goal in eight matches at the tournament, setting a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion. And this title, combined with the World Cup won by Spain’s women in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.

“I feel sad,” said 39-year-old Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who was moved to tears after receiving his runner-up medal and staring into the crowd at Argentina supporters.

“They were better, to be honest.”

The score indicated the match was close, but only one team was in command.

Spain took the game’s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina – desperate for an equaliser – got its first attempt off in the second half of extra time.

Spain took nine of the game’s first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champion a shot at going back-to-back.

The win made Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach ever to lead a team to the World Cup title.

“We are world champions,” de la Fuente said. “It was together we reached this stage.”

Earlier, fans had been frustrated as Trump’s presence at the game led to heightened security and lengthy delays getting into the stadium – as it did when he  attended the third game of the NBA Finals in June at Madison Square Garden to watch the New York Knicks.

Trump’s relationship with Infantino has been in the spotlight throughout the tournament. There was an uproar after Trump admitted calling Infantino to encourage him to a red card to allow star US striker Folarin Balogun to in the co-host’s round of 16 loss to Belgium.

On Monday (Australian time), there was a loud chorus of boos when Trump and Infantino walked onto the field after the match.

Trump handed gold medals to Spain and the referees, and silver medals to the Argentina. He then presented the trophy to Spain, and stuck around – pumping his fists in the air – as the players waited to lift the cup.

“They can edit him out of that,” SBS host Claudio Fabiano was heard saying in a hot-mic moment.

Infantino left the stage as Trump continued to talk to the players before standing to one side of the team.

A Fox News clip shared by the White House after the match shows Infantino jogging back to the stage to try to usher Trump away. He succeeded as the Spanish team began their celebrations to roars from thousands in the crowd.

The incident echoed a similar incident a year ago, when Trump refused to leave the stage when Chelsea footballers were celebrating their win in the Club World Cup final in the same stadium.