Spain are back on top of world football.
A dramatic extra-time strike from substitute Ferran Torres sealed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, handing La Roja their second world title and ending Lionel Messi’s hopes of retaining the trophy.
The pulsating final at the New York New Jersey Stadium remained goalless for 90 tense minutes before Torres emerged as Spain’s unlikely hero, firing home the decisive goal in the 106th minute to crown Luis de la Fuente’s side as world champions.
Spain Finally Find The Breakthrough
From the opening whistle, Spain looked the more adventurous side, controlling possession and dictating the tempo against the defending champions.
Rodri orchestrated play from midfield, while Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal repeatedly stretched Argentina’s defence. However, Emiliano Martínez produced several key saves to keep the South Americans in the contest.
Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful chances for captain Lionel Messi and striker Julián Álvarez, with Spain’s organised backline limiting their attacking threat throughout regulation time.
Red Card Changes The Contest
The balance of the match shifted dramatically deep into stoppage time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a red card, forcing Lionel Scaloni’s side to play the entirety of extra time with 10 men.
Reduced in numbers, Argentina defended bravely but eventually succumbed to relentless Spanish pressure.
Torres Delivers Spain’s Golden Moment
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 106th minute.
Introduced from the bench, Ferran Torres latched onto a well-worked attacking move before calmly finishing past Martínez to send Spanish players, coaches and supporters into wild celebrations.
The goal proved decisive as Spain comfortably managed the closing stages to secure one of the biggest victories in the nation’s football history.
Second World Cup, New History
The triumph gives Spain its second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after lifting its first trophy in South Africa in 2010.
It also ends Argentina’s reign as world champions following their memorable triumph in Qatar four years earlier.
Beyond reclaiming football’s biggest prize, Spain also etched its name into the history books by becoming the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles, underlining the country’s remarkable dominance on the global stage.
Heartbreak For Messi And Argentina
For Lionel Messi, the defeat brought an end to another remarkable World Cup campaign.
The Argentine captain had hoped to guide his country to a fourth world title and successfully defend the trophy won in Qatar, but Spain’s disciplined display denied him another moment of World Cup glory.
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Despite the disappointment, Lionel Scaloni’s side once again demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament before falling at the final hurdle.
Spain Complete Remarkable World Cup Journey
Spain’s path to the trophy was anything but straightforward.
Luis de la Fuente’s men overcame a series of heavyweight opponents, defeating Portugal, Belgium, France and Argentina en route to lifting football’s most prestigious prize.
Their triumph was built on defensive discipline, midfield control and timely moments of brilliance—qualities that ultimately made them deserving world champions.
Starting Line-ups
Spain: Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Álex Baena, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal.
Substitutes: David Raya, Joan García, Alejandro Grimaldo, Eric García, Marc Pubill, Marcos Llorente, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Víctor Muñoz.
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Nicolás González, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.
Substitutes: Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Facundo Medina, Marcos Senesi, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Barco, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López.