Full story
Torres ends it
Spain won the 2026 World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute.
“Spain are celebrating their second World Cup victory after defeating and dethroning Argentina 1-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium to cap off a brilliant run in international football”
Torres came off the bench and struck after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro’s cross into his path, putting Spain back atop the soccer world and denying Lionel Messi a second straight title.
Spain’s dominance was reflected in its defensive record, with the match described as one where Spain allowed only one goal in eight matches at the tournament and set a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.
Argentina’s late-game hopes were blunted after Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time, leaving the 2022 champions to play the extra time period with 10 men.
After the final whistle, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, said "We are world champions" as Spain commenced its celebration while Argentina players sat on the turf in disbelief.
Messi, Torres react
Messi reacted to the loss by saying "I feel sad," after receiving his runner-up medal and staring into the crowd at Argentina supporters, while Torres framed the goal as a collective achievement.
Torres said, "It was a goal scored by 47 million people," referring to Spain’s population, and later added, "At the end of the day, we always depended on us."
The final was also marked by a red card for Enzo Fernandez, with ESPN describing the dismissal as a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí that left referee Slavko Vincic with no option but to issue a second yellow card and a red.
NPR reported that Argentina recorded zero shots and only two touches in Spain’s box through halftime of extra time, even as Emiliano Martínez finished with 11 saves, the most ever in a men’s World Cup final.
With Spain’s win, the unbeaten run extended to 38 matches, and NPR said the victory made Spain the first country to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.
What the win changes
Spain’s second World Cup title came 16 years after its first, and the win extended Spain’s streak to 38 straight matches without a loss, breaking the mark set by Italy (37) from 2018 to 2021.
“Spain win World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal sinks Argentina Super sub Ferran Torres fired Spain to their second men’s World Cup triumph as what looks to be Lionel Messi’s last dance ended in 10-man Argentina falling to a meek 1-0 extra-time defeat”
The match also featured a World Cup first at MetLife Stadium, where NPR described a halftime show that lasted around 25 minutes and included appearances by Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Justin Bieber and Madonna.
In the aftermath, Spain lined up minutes later to form an honor guard for Argentina’s squad to walk through on its way to the stage for the runner-up medals, after some pushing and shoving was quickly cleaned up.
The final’s outcome also left Argentina unable to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, and ESPN said the Spanish finish came with just one goal allowed, the fewest for a World Cup winner despite playing more games.
As the confetti fell, the ESPN account noted that Spain’s dominance meant Argentina did not register their first shot at goal until Lionel Messi had an attempt blocked in the 117th minute, while Torres’ 106th-minute strike sealed the 1-0 result.
