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Spain edges Argentina
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium.
“The big day has arrived”
NBC News said Spain’s Ferran Torres scored after Nico Williams headed a pass his way in extra time, and it noted Emiliano Martínez set a record for saves in the World Cup final with 11.
NBC News also reported that Argentina played with 10 men for the final 30 minutes after Enzo Fernández was sent off for picking up his second yellow card after his challenge sent Spain’s Pau Cubarsí flying head over heels.
The Independent described the match as ending with “ugly scenes on the pitch after full time” after Spain’s extra-time winner, and it said Leandro Paredes was sent off after grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat.
In the same NBC News account, Lionel Scaloni said after the game, “We need to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” as Spain dethroned Argentina, which was trying to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962.
Voices after the whistle
After the final, Ferran Torres told the Fox broadcast, “I just saw the ball coming to me and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”
NBC News also quoted Scaloni saying, “I would have loved to know what would have happened if we still had 11 men on the pitch.”
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The Independent reported that Donald Trump was “audibly booed when he first walked on to the pitch with Infantino,” and it said he lurked toward the edge of Spain’s trophy lift to be in the photo.
NBC News described Trump attending the final and placing a medal around Messi’s neck, while it also said Messi began to openly cry after Argentina fell short in defending its title.
The Independent added that after full time, players brawled and it reported “reports of punches being thrown,” with Enzo Fernández sent off for a second yellow at the end of normal time.
What’s at stake next
NBC News said Spain’s victory delivered its second World Cup title, with Spain last winning in 2010, and it framed the result as dethroning Argentina’s bid to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962.
NBC News reported that Emiliano Martínez rebuffed every Spanish attempt while setting a record for saves in the World Cup final with 11, and it said Spain’s shot total reached 12 on goal while Argentina produced zero in regulation.
The Independent said the aftermath “marred the celebrations” and described Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over 10-man Argentina after Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second yellow at the end of normal time.
NBC News listed award winners from the 2026 World Cup, including Spain’s Rodri for Golden Ball, France’s Kylian Mbappé for Golden Boot, Spain’s Unai Simón for Golden Glove, and Spain’s Pau Cubarsí for Best Young Player.
In the same NBC News account, it said Lionel Messi finished with 54 touches but just one shot, and it reported that Messi’s tears came after he stepped down to the field and faced the stands.
