Weekend Review: World Cup final bore draw gives bookies tournament-closing boost

Ferran Torres scored a 106th minute winner for Spain (5/4) against Argentina (5/2) in a drab World Cup final that the bookmakers undoubtedly enjoyed more than those watching the game.

The ill-tempered affair, which saw normal time concluding with Argentina’s Enzo Fernández being sent off for a second yellow card in the 93rd minute, was dominated by Spain.

However, it was 0-0 after 90 minutes, despite the Spanish pressure and the referee chalking off a seemingly legitimate goal from Nico Williams.

Bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “It certainly wasn’t a classic, but I don’t think there will be too many bookmakers complaining about Argentina’s no-show and Spain finally putting the 2026 World Cup final to bed in extra time.

“The two substitutes, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres, who replaced Álex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal, combined to seal the victory, with our Sub On Play Offer again to the fore. However, it was our best result of the tournament.

“Enzo Fernández was a 33/1 shot to see red and duly received his marching orders after a lunge on Pau Cubarsí, which helped Spain finally breakdown a dogged Argentina side.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins added: “The 0-0 scoreline in the final over 90 minutes was a cracking result, and I doubt any impartial football fans would dispute that by far the better team on the day, Spain, deservedly find themselves on top of the world.”

FDJ United’s Ali Gill noted: “The World Cup finally draws to a close with worthy winners in Spain, if not exactly a thrill-a-minute final.

“You won’t find many layers moaning about a 0-0 draw in the biggest match in four years, and so it was on this occasion as things went about as well as they could over 90 minutes.

“Spain were comfortably best backed on the night to lift the trophy, so punters got some joy there, but overall very little to celebrate for backers on the match.”

While Spain were one of the most backed sides to win the tournament, which was hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico, La Roja’s victory was still positive from an outright perspective for the bookies.

The free-flowing French side spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé had captured the betting market’s attention, but Les Bleus were taken apart in the semi-final by the eventual champions.

Firkins added: “Spain was a decent result for us in terms of winning the competition from first to last, as many concentrated their attention on the glamorous French and, of course, England.”

Punters celebrate 250/1 winners in crazy bronze final

In the bronze final (formerly known as the third-place playoff), England (21/10) emerged 6-4 winners against France (7/10) in a barnstormer of game.

The duo, forced to play the dead rubber after losing to Spain and Argentina, respectively, put on a good show regardless.

Gill said: “The third place play off was another story, a 10-goal thriller which went the way of England. No surprise that sent punters off into their Saturday night in good spirits with full wallets, but it wasn’t really a patch on what followed on Sunday.”

Freeth added: “On Saturday, England drifted like a barge when the bronze final team news finally dropped, going off at 10/3 versus France.

“However, it was a case of ‘no Kane, no Bellingham, no problem’ with 33/1 first goalscorer Declan Rice breaking the deadlock in the third minute. Incredibly, it was 4-0 at half-time, and even more incredibly, we had a number of fivers and tenners on that outcome at 250/1.

“Not only that, but we also had 29 pre-game wagers on Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick at 200/1, with the icing on the cake being a final 6-4 scoreline, which was traded at 250/1 in-play.”

Tough going

The early innings of the 48-team tournament, which had expanded from the 32-team edition in 2022, included some tougher results for the bookmakers.

Despite the heroics of Cape Verde in holding Spain, Uruguay and Argentina to draws within 90 minutes, Firkins said the group stages truly belonged to the favourites.

The Betfred head said: “The trading desk confirm that it was tough going early doors in the main, 11 of the 12 groups were won by the favs, and that the prolific goalscoring exploits of many of the usual suspects cost us a small fortune.

“England’s wins against Croatia and Mexico were the most expensive of the tournament, while the most productive were England’s goalless draw against Ghana, and Spain’s dismantling of France in the first semi-final.”

Freeth added: “Our worst World Cup result was England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in what was a thriller at the fortress Azteca Stadium.

“Jude Bellingham was gaining in popularity by the game, and his brace, along with a Harry Kane penalty hit us hard. With Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez also on the scoresheet for the hosts, it was a horrible result for us.”