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Spain claimed the 2026 FIFA World Cup title after edging defending champions Argentina 1–0 in an enthralling extra-time final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
The victory handed La Roja their second World Cup crown, 16 years after lifting their maiden title in South Africa in 2010, while bringing Argentina’s reign as world champions to an end.
After a tense and evenly contested 90 minutes failed to produce a goal, Spain finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute when Ferran Torres latched onto a well-worked move to fire past Emiliano Martínez, sparking wild celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, battled hard throughout the encounter but were unable to breach Spain’s disciplined defence. Messi, featuring in what many believe could be his final FIFA World Cup appearance, failed to score as Spain successfully neutralised the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Martínez kept Argentina in the contest with a string of impressive saves before Torres’ decisive strike settled the final.
The South Americans’ hopes of mounting a late comeback suffered another setback after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the closing stages of extra time, leaving Argentina to finish the match with 10 men.
Spain’s triumph capped an impressive tournament in which they defeated Portugal, Belgium, France and Argentina en route to the title, underlining their dominance against some of the world’s strongest footballing nations.
For Argentina, the defeat ended their bid to retain the World Cup, while for Spain it marked the return to the summit of world football, cementing their place among the sport’s elite with a second global crown.
