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0-0 to Extra Time
Spain and Argentina went into extra time of the 2026 World Cup final after a 0-0 draw through 90 minutes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“The Spanish national team reached the World Cup final in New York without needing extra time, after avoiding extra time in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals thanks to late goals from Mikel Merino near the 90th minute in each match”
Argentina were down to 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off in second-half stoppage time after a second yellow card, with the red card arriving immediately after his reckless play sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air.
Spain’s late pressure produced a decisive moment when Lamine Yamal curled a free kick over the wall and Emiliano Martínez made a match-saving save to his left as the referee added four minutes.
ABC Sport’s live updates said the match was “FT: We're going to extra time” after Spain dominated possession and chances but could not break the deadlock.
AP’s account said the teams would now play 30 minutes of extra time, split into two 15-minute halves, with a penalty shootout if the score stayed even.
Martínez, Yamal, and Cards
Emiliano Martínez repeatedly denied Spain in the closing stages, with AP describing his 10th save of the afternoon after Yamal’s free kick from about 22 yards out curled toward the right post.
The ABC live blog recorded that after a huge save, Martínez gestured to the Spanish contingent behind his goal and “ensuring this game will go to extra time.”
AP said Enzo Fernández was sent off after getting his second yellow card, and the card came out immediately after his reckless play that sent Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air.
The New York Times live updates framed the dismissal as the “correct decision to send off Fernandez,” noting that the tackle left the referee with “no choice” after Fernández was already on a yellow card.
The New York Times also reported that the match went to extra time after Yamal’s free kick and Martínez’s two hands turning the shot around the post.
What’s at Stake Next
With the final still scoreless after regulation, the next 30 minutes of extra time will decide whether Spain or Argentina can avoid a penalty shootout, and USA Today stressed that “there must be a winner” and the match cannot end in a tie.
“The 2026 World Cup final this Sunday pits Spain against Argentina, a gritty match”
USA Today laid out that extra time lasts a total of 30 minutes plus stoppage time, divided into two 15-minute halves, and if still level it will go to a penalty kick shootout.
AP said Spain took 15 shots in regulation while Argentina took none, and it noted that Argentina “surely felt fortunate” to still have a chance after surviving the dominance.
The ABC live updates described the tactical reality of the moment as Argentina having to “survive another half hour down a man,” with “All to play for” as extra time begins.
As the match shifts into its next phase, the New York Times live coverage said Spain will “really, really want to win this in extra time and not let it go to penalties,” while Argentina’s 10-man defense continues to rely on Emiliano Martínez’s saves.
