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Photo: FIFA

East Rutherford, New Jersey | July 19, 2026 — Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in a tense and hard-fought final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

After 90 minutes of relentless football failed to separate the two sides, substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, finishing from close range after a move involving Pedro Porro and Nico Williams. The goal proved enough to secure Spain's first World Cup triumph since 2010.

Spain dominated the match from the opening whistle, controlling possession and creating the majority of the chances. Luis de la Fuente's side outshot Argentina 20–3, forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into a series of outstanding saves, and won nine of the first ten corner kicks. Martínez kept Argentina in the contest with a remarkable 12 saves, one of the finest goalkeeping performances ever seen in a World Cup final.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, struggled to create clear opportunities against Spain's disciplined defence. Despite late pressure in extra time, the South Americans were unable to find an equaliser. Their task became even more difficult when Enzo Fernández was sent off late in the match, reducing Argentina to 10 men.

The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters, ending a 16-year wait for another World Cup title. The victory marked Spain's second FIFA World Cup championship, having previously lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Spain's road to the title included victories over Austria in the Round of 32, Portugal in the Round of 16, Belgium in the quarter-finals, France

in the semi-finals, and Argentina in the final.

The triumph also secured a historic milestone, making Spain the first nation to simultaneously hold both the FIFA Men's and FIFA Women's World Cup titles. Spain completed the tournament having conceded just one goal in eight matches, setting a new record for the fewest goals allowed by a World Cup-winning team.

For Argentina, the defeat ended another impressive World Cup campaign. While Lionel Messi fell short of adding a second World Cup title to his illustrious career, the 2022 champions once again reached football's biggest stage before being edged by a dominant Spanish side.

Spain captain Álvaro Morata lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy before a crowd of nearly 80,000 spectators, capping a memorable night that restored La Roja to the summit of world football.