Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a tense and hard-fought final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The breakthrough finally came in the 106th minute of extra time when Ferran Torres finished from close range after a headed assist from Nico Williams.
The goal ended Argentina’s stubborn resistance and handed Spain a historic World Cup triumph.
Torres also became only the second Barcelona player to score in a men’s World Cup final, adding another milestone to an unforgettable night.
Argentina’s hopes suffered a major blow deep into stoppage time when midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau CubarsÃ.
The dismissal forced the defending champions to play the entire extra-time period with 10 men.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Spain were the better side throughout the final. The European champions controlled possession and created the clearer chances, with Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Dani Olmo all testing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano MartÃnez.
MartÃnez produced several outstanding saves, including a brilliant stop from Yamal’s late free-kick at the end of normal time and another crucial save from Nico Williams in extra time.
However, he could do little to prevent Torres’ winning strike.
Argentina struggled to create clear opportunities and relied heavily on defensive tactics to keep Spain at bay before eventually conceding in extra time.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final attracted global attention both on and off the pitch. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the match, while the tournament featured its first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show.
Performances by Madonna and Justin Bieber extended the interval to 27 minutes, making it one of the most talked-about finals in World Cup history.
Spain’s disciplined performance and patience were ultimately rewarded as they claimed their second FIFA World Cup title.
After eliminating some of the world’s strongest teams on their route to the final, they completed a memorable campaign by defeating defending champions Argentina.
The victory marks another historic achievement for Spanish football and confirms their place among the world’s elite, while Argentina fall just short of successfully defending the World Cup they won four years earlier.