The dust has settled after Spain beat Lionel Scaloni’s band of thugs 1-0 in one of the most mismatched World Cup finals of all time.
There was no fairytale ending for Lionel Messi and Argentina, who took 117 minutes to venture out of their own half and register a shot on goal.
Unfortunately for the integrity of the game, or whatever remained of it after that half-time show, their most watchable contribution came in the form of a full-time brawl.
Enzo Fernandez and Lisandro Martinez must now decide whether to stick around in the Premier League and take the flak coming their way, or join the summer transfer merry-go-round.
But after weeks of standout performances on American soil, here are five World Cup stars linked to the Premier League.
Ferran Torres (Spain)
Scoring the goal that wins your country a World Cup final is normally enough to guarantee a fairly comfortable summer.
The Barcelona forward settled an otherwise grim final against Argentina and ended the tournament as a world champion, but another season spent moving in and out of Hansi Flick’s side has left his club future uncertain.
Torres has never quite established himself as an automatic starter at Barcelona, despite producing goals, covering several attacking positions and generally making himself useful whenever Flick turns to him.
That has left Barcelona with a decision to make. Torres remains a valuable squad player, but he is also one of the few saleable assets capable of bringing in a meaningful fee as the club look to create room for other business.
Sunderland have now emerged as a surprise contender for his signature after qualifying for Europe, which is a sentence that would have required considerably more explanation a year ago.
A return to the Premier League would not take him into completely unfamiliar territory after his spell at Manchester City, although Sunderland could offer something Barcelona currently cannot: a guaranteed place near the front of the queue.
Folarin Balogun (USA)
Folarin Balogun left Arsenal in search of regular football and may now have played his way back towards the Premier League.
The Monaco striker scored three goals in four games for the United States, giving the hosts a reliable focal point before Belgium ended their World Cup with a 4-1 win in the last 16.
His tournament also included one of the stranger disciplinary stories of the summer, with FIFA overturning a one-match suspension following an intervention from Donald Trump.
Balogun could do little to change the outcome against Belgium, but his wider contribution strengthened the sense that another move may be coming after three years away from English football.
Reports have linked Chelsea and Tottenham with the 25-year-old, while former US goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes he would also suit Fulham, Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth or Newcastle.
The latter group feels more like sensible matchmaking than firm transfer interest, but three World Cup goals should ensure Balogun has Premier League clubs asking the question.
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Felix Nmecha (Germany)
Felix Nmecha used the World Cup to remind a few Premier League clubs that Manchester City once allowed him to leave for nothing.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder produced a goal and an assist during the group stage, but his ability to carry the ball through midfield appeared to attract the most attention.
At 6ft 3in, Nmecha combines the physical profile Premier League clubs tend to appreciate with enough technical quality to move possession forward rather than simply win it back.
Reports have linked Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle with the 25-year-old, while Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also reportedly monitoring his situation.
Nmecha may favour a return to Manchester, although Dortmund have little reason to make things easy after extending his contract until 2030 before the tournament.
Reports of a £104m asking price should cool some of the enthusiasm, but Nmecha’s World Cup performances have at least ensured that any approach will now cost considerably more.
Pavel Sulc (Czechia)
Pavel Sulc arrived at the World Cup with a growing reputation and left it with several Premier League clubs paying considerably closer attention.
The Czech midfielder had already produced 15 goals and ten assists during his first season at Lyon, but his performances in the United States strengthened the case for a move this summer.
Sulc offers the sort of output that tends to attract English clubs, with the ability to contribute goals from midfield while also operating in several advanced roles.
Reports have linked Tottenham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest with Sulc in recent months, but Leeds are now reportedly stepping up their efforts to sign the 25-year-old.
Lyon reportedly value Sulc at around £21m and still regard him as an important part of Paulo Fonseca’s squad, despite the financial concerns surrounding the French club.
That may leave Leeds with work to do, but Sulc now looks like one of the more realistic World Cup performers who could arrive in the Premier League before the window closes.
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola returned from France’s run to the World Cup semi-finals with four direct goal involvements and a considerably longer list of admirers.
Liverpool appear to lead the chase, with the Reds reportedly submitting an opening bid as they continue searching for a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Barcola is quick, direct and comfortable attacking from the left, although replacing Liverpool’s greatest modern goalscorer requires rather more than occupying the same general area of the pitch.
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly want around £127.5m, which feels like the sort of valuation intended to bring most conversations to an end.
Reports have also linked Arsenal with Barcola, but Liverpool appear to remain the only club to have made an offer and opened talks with PSG over a possible deal.
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