Spain captured its second FIFA World Cup championship on Sunday, defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The victory marked Spain’s first men’s World Cup title since its historic 2010 triumph and ended Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup championships.
Torres, who entered the match as a second-half substitute, finished a headed pass from Nico Williams by blasting a first-time shot into the roof of the net past Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
“I just saw the ball coming to me and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people,” Torres said after the match, NBC News reported.
“The goal belonged to 47 million people. It wasn’t just mine or the 26 players,” he added, per ESPN.
Spain Dominates Despite Martínez’s Heroics
Although the scoreline remained level for more than 100 minutes, Spain controlled possession and generated the overwhelming majority of scoring opportunities throughout the final.
Martínez kept Argentina in the match with a record 11 saves in a World Cup final, denying repeated attempts from Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, and Nico Williams.
His resistance finally ended when Williams headed Pedro Porro’s cross into Torres’ path, allowing the Barcelona forward to score the tournament-winning goal.
Torres appeared to add a second goal later in extra time during a counterattack, but the score was overturned after an offside review.
Argentina Held Without a Shot Until Extra Time
Spain’s disciplined defense neutralized Argentina’s attack for nearly the entire match.
The defending champions failed to register a shot during regulation, with their first attempt not coming until the closing minutes of extra time. Lionel Messi, playing in what could be his final World Cup match, was limited to a single blocked shot despite recording 54 touches.
Argentina’s task became even more difficult late in regulation when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, forcing the South Americans to play the final 30 minutes with 10 men.
Argentina mounted late pressure after Torres’ goal but could not find an equalizer.
“We need to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, per NBC. “We competed against an amazing team.”
Messi, who was visibly emotional after receiving his runner-up medal, acknowledged Spain’s superiority.
“They were better, to be honest,” he said.
Spain Makes History
The championship capped a dominant tournament for Spain.
La Roja conceded just one goal throughout the eight-match tournament, the fewest ever allowed by a World Cup-winning team. Goalkeeper Unai Simón recorded a tournament-record seven clean sheets.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente, 65, became the oldest manager to win a men’s World Cup, surpassing the previous record held by fellow Spaniard Vicente del Bosque.
Spain also extended its unbeaten streak in regulation to 38 matches, setting a new record for a European men’s national team.
The victory means Spain now simultaneously holds both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles after the Spanish women’s national team won the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Individual Awards
Several Spanish players were recognized for their performances throughout the tournament.
- Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France), who finished with 10 goals to claim the award for the second consecutive World Cup.
Historic Tournament Ends
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded after 104 matches, making it the largest tournament in World Cup history following its expansion to 48 teams.
Spain lifted the trophy before a star-studded crowd that included athletes, entertainers, and political leaders, reclaiming the title 16 years after its first World Cup championship and ending Argentina’s reign atop international soccer.
