Spain has been crowned the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. Forward Ferran Torres scored the lone goal of the match in the 106th minute at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, securing Spain's second World Cup title in its history. The victory mirrors Spain's triumph in the 2010 World Cup final.
Throughout the tightly contested match, both teams sought control of possession, leading to limited clear scoring opportunities. In the first half, Spain dictated the tempo with quick decision-making near Argentina's goal, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made several key saves. Lamine Yamal and other Spanish players had early chances, while Argentina's attack, led by Lionel Messi, was largely contained by Spain's strong defense. Unai Simón, in Spain's goal, faced minimal pressure.
The halftime break featured performances from musical guests, but the second half saw Spain increase its offensive pressure. Martínez continued to be a formidable presence, denying multiple Spanish attempts, including a header from Ferran Torres in the 66th minute. By the 82nd minute, Spain had registered 10 shots, with seven on target, yet the score remained level.
A critical moment occurred in the 93rd minute when Argentina's Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and forcing his team to play the remainder of the match with 10 men. Despite this disadvantage, Argentina remained resilient.
In extra time, a goal by Nico Williams was disallowed due to a preceding foul, a controversial call that kept the score at 0-0. However, Spain's persistent pressure eventually paid off. In the second half of extra time, a cross into the box was kept alive by Williams, and the ball fell to Torres, who fired it under the crossbar for the winning goal in the 106th minute.
Spain's defense proved impenetrable throughout the tournament, conceding only one goal. The team generated 20 shots in the final, compared to Argentina's none on target. The victory marks a historic achievement for Spain, solidifying their dominance on the world stage. For Argentina and Lionel Messi, the final ends in heartbreak, potentially marking the conclusion of Messi's World Cup journey.