The World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world, has ended, with an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide watching the final game between Spain and Argentina. Two teams with different styles and approaches to football, on their way to the final. Argentina focused on emotion, while Spain was built on teamwork and precision.

If you simply looked at the score, which ended at 1-0 (Torres scored for Spain), you would think it was a boring game. The contrary was what happened. Spain was driven from the start. Constantly pressing. They had possession most of the game and were firing on all cylinders. Argentina, on the other hand, seemed like a shell of their previous matches, seemingly unable to find a way to overcome Spain’s seemingly impenetrable defense.

The statistics are impressive! Here are 10 things that crown Spain as the best national football team of the 21st century:

1. Spain is the national team that has won the most World Cups in the last 26 years.

2. Spain had a 38-game unbeaten streak, the greatest streak in football history.

3. Spain is the first national team in history to be champion of Europe, the Olympic Games, and the World Cup simultaneously.

4. Seven clean sheets – a new tournament record.

5. Spain becomes the champion national team that has conceded the fewest goals in a single World Cup (1).

6. Spain is the Men’s and Women’s World Cup Champions at the same time.

7. Spain defeated the champion of America and the world in the final without conceding a single shot on goal during the 90 minutes of regulation time. (First time in history that this has happened).

8. Unai Simón achieved the record for the most minutes without conceding a goal in World Cups (650).

9. Luis de la Fuente becomes the first coach in history to win the Nations League (2023), the Eurocup (2024), the Olympic Gold Medal (2024), and the World Cup (2026).

10. Spain becomes the first national team of the century to win a World Cup without being a single minute behind on the scoreboard throughout the entire tournament.

However, with all the fervor of the World Cup, people might forget that this World Cup was not without many controversies. From the pitch, where people would swear that Egypt should have won against Argentina. To the numerous Infractions Argentina players committed, but referees simply turned a blind eye to. This World Cup was notable for some controversies, among which were:

1. The highest ticket prices ever, and FIFA took a cut from resale sites.

2. FIFA did nothing about the Somalian referee and dozens of staff who were banned from entering the US for no legitimate reason.

3. FIFA stood by as Iran were forced to train outside the US and travel in on match days, which was detrimental to their preparations.

4. FIFA overturned a red card after President Trump made a phone call to FIFA.

5. For many football fans, including Wayne Rooney, Americanized the beautiful game with hydration (TV) breaks (where FOX inserted commercials) and 25-minute half-time in the final.

6. In the view of many, FIFA guided Argentina through the tournament with less travel, VAR support and blatantly turning a blind eye due to their aggression and foul play.

7. Lastly, the actions of the Argentina team after losing the final were very disturbing. From picking fights to turning their backs when Spain was awarded and celebrated their win (except for Flaco Lopez).

This World Cup was a celebration of the beautiful sport of football (soccer for the Americans). And in my humble opinion, it was won by the best team on the pitch. I think it was also a passing of the torch to a new generation of football players. This is probably the last time you’ll see Ronaldo play in the World Cup. So with Luka Modric, Neymar Junior, and Sun Hung Min. Despite Messi being 39 years old, he played like a man possessed, with the stamina and vigor of a player years younger. But, at 39, this is probably his last as a player. It’s almost impossible to think a 43-year-old man can put his body through the rigor of another World Cup campaign, so this might be his last World Cup. I had hoped that Messi would win the Golden Ball. But Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball, Messi won the Silver Ball, and Mbappe won the Bronze Ball.

This World Cup also introduced a number of standout young players like Yamal, Pedri, Olmo and Cubarsi, coincidentally all from FC Barcelona. Haaland gained a lot of new followers on his socmed accounts. These names are staples in the UEFA League, but for those who just tuned in, they are a few of several breakout stars.

What I do hope this newfound love for football for some Filipinos is that this is not a one-off, and in fact, turns into a more permanent love for the sport. Why? Because in the Women’s World Cup championship in Brazil in 2027, guess which country has qualified? The Philippines! Yes, we’re going to the World Cup! So, let’s cheer for the winners, cheer for the new teams we can root for. But let’s save a space in our hearts for our very own in next year’s tournament.

But, in the meantime, Vamos, España!

(The author is a former Comelec commissioner. He was the chairman of the Comelec Steering Committee that oversaw the successful modernization of the first national automated Philippines elections in 2010. He remains involved in public service as an election lawyer and is a Senior Partner at Divina Law Office.)