Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, denying Lionel Messi and Argentina a second straight world title.
Substitute Ferran Torres struck the only goal of the match in the 106th minute, tapping in after Nico Williams laid the ball back to him following a defense-splitting pass. The goal proved enough to secure Spain’s second World Cup title, following their 2010 win.
The final brought together two very different roads to the title match. Spain arrived unbeaten, having conceded just one goal across the tournament, and controlled the final from start to finish with their trademark possession-based style. Argentina, leaning on the experience of Messi in what could be his last World Cup, had grinded through a string of tense knockout matches to reach the final.
Neither side found the net through 90 minutes of regulation, sending the match to extra time. Spain dominated possession and territory throughout, testing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez repeatedly, while Argentina struggled to create chances and went the entire match without registering a shot on target.
Argentina’s task grew harder in the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving the South Americans to play the rest of the match a man down. Down to 10 men, Argentina held on for long stretches of extra time before Spain finally broke through with Torres’ goal.
Martínez was a standout for Argentina despite the loss, making save after save to keep the match scoreless for as long as he did before finally being beaten in the second period of extra time.
