Lionel Scaloni salutes Spain after Argentina fall short in FIFA World Cup final

Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the second period of extra time to finally break the deadlock as Spain overcame a determined Argentina side that had been reduced to 10 men.

The defeat ended Argentina's bid to become the first nation since 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, despite another impressive tournament led by captain Lionel Messi.

Scaloni did not look for excuses after the final whistle and praised Spain's performance.

"They were the better side - that's the truth," Scaloni said. "But I'll cherish the memory of my players, what they achieved and the effort it took to reach this stage."

"We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort."

The 48-year-old said his players had shown the same dignity in defeat as they had during their recent successes.

"We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose," he said.

"We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here."

Scaloni also thanked Argentina's supporters, who backed the team throughout the tournament, and said his players had given everything in the final.

"To the people, my players and the country, I want to say that we gave it our all," he said.

"We arrived here facing a realistic situation, but if the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country."

"We have to pick ourselves up again. There is no other way."

Although disappointed to miss out on retaining the trophy, Scaloni said reaching a second consecutive World Cup final remains an achievement that deserves recognition.

"I certainly value the runners-up spot because it takes so much to get here, and I think it deserves huge recognition," he said.

"Naturally, we would have liked to win, but ultimately, I feel gratitude. That is the only word I have, along with sadness, of course.

"But when you give everything like that, regardless of whether you play well or poorly, it's very hard to find fault."