Spain wins 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Argentina in extra time
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Spain can call itself champion for the second time in FIFA World Cup history.
The 1-0 winner at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday night was Ferran Torres, who came on in the second half and eventually took the ball past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in stoppage time.
This was Spain’s second trip to the World Cup Final, but they got the job done just like they did in 2010.
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Spanish forward Ferran Torres celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
By the way, if this was Lionel Messi’s last game in Argentina, it ended in heartbreak.
As expected, both teams were trying to take control of this match, meaning possession would be important and shot chances would be few.
In the first half, Spain did the same thing they have done all tournament, controlling the tempo of play and being quick to make decisions near their opponent’s penalty area.
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Lamine Yamal and his team had some early chances but none could clear Emiliano Martínez’s goal line.
On the other hand, Spain’s strong defense against Lionel Messi and his compatriots continued, while Unai Simón further took the pressure off the Argentine attack.
At the end of the first half neither team was able to get on top of the scoreboard as every country was immediately talking about what was needed to change that. They would have more time to do so, as Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and many of their other musical guests performed on the field during halftime at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Spain looked to have some answers as the second half got underway and created great chances, including a clear shot against Martínez. However, the goalkeeper managed to make a save.
Then, in the 55th minute, Dani Olmo’s beautiful pass into the penalty area led to Marc Cucurella’s return. But Gonzalo Montiel thoroughly beat Cucurella, blasting the ball out of bounds for a corner kick and keeping his A-grade chance from hitting the net.
Spaniard Ferran Torres (7) scores his first goal during the World Cup final football match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Spain continued to apply pressure, including numerous corner kicks and shots to challenge Martínez. Newcomer Ferran Torres headed in Yamal’s cross in the 66th minute, but Martínez was there once again.
Argentina felt every ounce of momentum was going in Spain’s favor as they still had their first shot attempt, let alone a shot on target. Spain had 10 shots, seven of which led to Martínez’s goal in the 82nd minute.
However, Martínez remained a brick wall, especially when Nico Williams came flying in and took the shot in stoppage time. Yamal could not believe that Williams did not pass the ball to him because there was no Argentine defender at the back post.
But just seconds later, a crucial moment came in the final match when Enzo Fernandez’s poor tackle led to his second yellow card and he received a red card in the 93rd minute. From then on, Argentina had to take one man down.
Just before normal time ended, a foul on Torres outside the Argentine penalty area gave 19-year-old Yamal a chance to win the World Cup. He struck the ball brilliantly and, had it not been for another superb save from Martínez, the ball could have found its way into the left wing of the goal.
This match required extra time, but Argentina would have to play the next 30 minutes with fewer men than Spain. And when Williams buried Mikel Merinos’ missed shot in front of goal, it looked like Spain had finally gotten past Martínez. However, before Williams scored, a foul was called, the goal was disallowed and the draw continued.
The call was controversial as Nicolás Otamendi appeared to have sold his connection to Merinos a bit. However, the call stood and the goal was taken off the board.
But Spain never lost their determination to get past Martínez and that moment finally came in the second half of extra time.
As the game continued, Williams headed a cross towards the penalty area and the ball hit Torres’ foot. Torres wasn’t trying to look cheeky, scoring the goal in the 106th minute when he shot under the crossbar.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) stands next to Spain’s Pedri (20) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Argentina did their best to create chances for Simón to keep their World Cup hopes alive, but failed. In the end, Spain did not allow a single shot on goal, but created 20 shots on their own.
During the entire tournament, Spain demonstrated its superiority from start to finish, scoring only one goal against its opponents. It was right that the tournament ended with the cup in hand.
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