Spain Crowned As World Champions
Spain Crowned World Champions After Ferran Torres’ Extra-Time Strike Denies Argentina
Spain are world champions for the second time after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, side-footing home from Nico Williams’ header to break Argentine hearts and end Spain’s 38-match unbeaten run in style.
Dominant Spain finally find breakthrough
The final was cagey in the first half with Spain registering three shots and Argentina none. Spain continued to push after the break, finishing the match with 20 shots to Argentina’s 2.
Argentina looked content to sit deep and take the game to penalties, but that plan was undone late in normal time. Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card in the 93rd minute, leaving the defending champions to play extra time with 10 men.
Emiliano Martinez, who played with a broken finger, kept Argentina in the game with a World Cup final-record 12 saves. He denied Lamine Yamal with a late free-kick in normal time, and Spain also had a goal ruled out for a foul in extra time.
But only one team looked like scoring. That moment came five minutes into the first period of extra time. Williams won the header, Torres kept his composure, and Spain had the lead. It was Torres’ first goal of the tournament.
A historic double for Spanish football
The win gives Spain their second World Cup title, 16 years after 2010. They also become the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time, following the women’s triumph in 2023.
Spain conceded only one goal across eight matches in the tournament, a record for a World Cup winner. They are also reigning European champions from Euro 2024.
Rodri completed football’s full set of honors with the win, adding the World Cup to his club and country trophies and Ballon d’Or.
Messi’s likely final bow
For Argentina, it was a frustrating night. Lionel Messi, 39, played in what he suggested could be his last World Cup and was kept quiet by Spain’s defense. After the final whistle, Messi was seen congratulating Yamal.
Tensions boiled over after the match as Leandro Paredes and Eric Garcia clashed, sparking a brawl involving both teams.
The tournament itself was the biggest ever, with 104 matches played over five-and-a-half weeks across three host countries. The final was watched by 80,663 fans, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
Torres dedicated the goal after the match: “Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people — not just me or the 26 players.”
Spain were the best team throughout the tournament, and on Sunday they were the only team that tried to win it.
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