Sports SummaryBrief at 9:56 a.m. EDT

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina closes what was billed as the biggest tournament in history, with 104 games played across six weeks in three countries. On Sunday, an expanded 48-team format delivered surprises, including headline runs from Cape Verde, Congo and Curaçao, while Lionel Messi became the all-time World Cup leading scorer. The match-day process also drew debate: video reviews and high-tech balls contributed to disallowed goals, and hydration breaks were widely criticized. Fans still packed stadiums despite high ticket prices. In the Golden Boot race, Messi trails Kylian Mbappé by two goals, after Mbappé finished third place by moving to 10 goals. Competitive awards Sunday include the Golden Glove for the top goalkeeper and the Best Young Player for players 21 or younger. The involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s politically charged participation also heightened attention.