In extra time of the FIFA 2026 World Cup final, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to become world champions for the second time, 16 years after their first title.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Final, July 19, East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium
Spain vs Argentina extra time: 1-0 (0-0) Goal: Ferran Torres 106’
Red card: Enzo Fernández (Argentina, 90+3’)
The finalists’ lineups were largely as expected. Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni stuck with proven tactical approaches that had served them well throughout the tournament.
The final was not as high-scoring as the third-place playoff. The stakes were too high, and tension hung in the air, affecting the quality of play.
Spain appeared to be the more proactive side in the battle for control, once again dominating the midfield. Early on, the European champions built most of their attacks down the right, where Lamine Yamal was particularly active. Later, the focus shifted to the opposite flank as Marc Cucurella looked to create openings. The world champions, meanwhile, defended in a compact shape and looked to hit Spain on the counter, but Spain’s midfielders were quick to stop those moves from developing.
There were virtually no scoring chances before the break. The pattern of play remained largely unchanged after the halftime show, during which the players rested in the dressing rooms.
Spain’s advantage became increasingly evident toward the end of normal time. Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte all tested Emiliano Martínez with long-range efforts.
In stoppage time, Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić sent off Enzo Fernández after showing him a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsi. Already without a single shot to Spain’s 15, Argentina found themselves in an even more difficult position.
In the 96th minute, Nico Williams appeared to have given Spain the lead, but the goal was ruled out after the referee spotted a foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up. In the 103rd minute, Merino himself was unable to direct his effort on target.
Three minutes later, Spain made the breakthrough. Pedro Porro delivered a cross from the right, and Nico Williams headed the ball onto Ferran Torres, who finished from around 10 meters to put Spain 1-0 ahead. Torres scored again shortly afterward, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Late in the match, Argentina went in search of an equalizer and had two chances to level, but Marcos Senesi and Giuliano Simeone were unable to take them.
Argentina failed to defend the title it won four years ago in Qatar. Spain became world champions for the second time, having previously won the tournament in South Africa in 2010.
The 23rd FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11. For the first time, the tournament is being co-hosted by three countries — the U.S., Canada and Mexico — and, also for the first time, features 48 national teams.
