Spain were officially crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after edging Argentina 1-0 in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday, July 20, 2026.
A solitary goal from Ferran Torres in extra time secured La Roja’s second World Cup title in history.
The victory also ended Argentina’s bid to successfully defend the title they won in 2022. It marked a disappointing farewell for Lionel Messi, who was unable to conclude his final World Cup appearance with another championship trophy.
Spain Dominate as Argentina Struggle to Create Chances
From the opening whistle, Spain controlled the flow of the match. Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated possession and continually pressured Argentina’s disciplined defensive line.
However, Argentina’s compact defense, combined with an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, prevented Spain from finding the breakthrough throughout the 90 minutes of regular time.
The match statistics reflected Spain’s overwhelming dominance. La Roja registered 20 shots, while Argentina managed only two attempts during the entire match.
Remarkably, Argentina did not record their first shot until the 115th minute, when Lionel Messi attempted an effort on goal. Unfortunately for the Albiceleste, the ball struck Spain midfielder Mikel Merino instead.
Enzo Fernández Sent Off, Ferran Torres Delivers the Decisive Goal
Argentina suffered a major setback just before extra time.
Midfielder Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card and was sent off, forcing Argentina to begin extra time with 10 men.
Spain eventually capitalized on their numerical advantage.
The long-awaited breakthrough came in the 106th minute when Pedro Porro delivered a cross toward the far post. Nico Williams reached the ball and laid it off for Ferran Torres, whose first-time finish beat Emiliano Martínez to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
The goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match, securing Spain’s return to the summit of world football.
Messi Falls Short in His Final World Cup Appearance as Tempers Flare After the Match
The final also marked Lionel Messi’s last appearance at a FIFA World Cup.
The Argentina captain struggled to make a significant impact as he was effectively contained by Spain’s disciplined defense throughout the match.
Following the final whistle, tensions boiled over as the match was briefly marred by a confrontation.
Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes reacted aggressively toward several Spanish players. Paredes even shoved Gavi to the ground and was shown a red card by the referee.
With the victory, Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title, adding to the championship they won in 2010.
Argentina, meanwhile, had to settle for the runners-up position and failed to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.***
