Spain Are World Champions Again
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It took 106 minutes and a trip into extra time to settle it.
The goal that finally landed
Spain had already seen one goal chalked off. Nico Williams put the ball in the net during extra time, but it was ruled out for a foul on Otamendi in the build up. The disallowment did not hold Spain back for long. Less than a minute into the second period of extra time, substitute Ferran Torres scored the winner, finishing off a loose ball in the box.
Torres had only entered the match in the 62nd minute. It was his first goal of the tournament, and he credited more than himself for it. “It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” he said afterward, referring to Spain’s population.
Ten men, and a goalkeeper who almost held them off
Argentina played the entire second period of extra time a man down. Midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second yellow card deep in second half stoppage time. Even shorthanded, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez kept Argentina in it, making 12 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in a World Cup final. Spain still finished with 20 shots to Argentina’s 3.
A defense that barely gave anything up
Spain went through the entire tournament without a loss and conceded only one goal across all eight matches. It is the second World Cup title in the country’s history, after the first in 2010.
What it means for Argentina, and for Messi
Argentina arrived as defending champions chasing a feat no team has managed since Brazil won consecutive titles in 1958 and 1962. Manager Lionel Scaloni kept the loss in perspective afterward. “We lost the game and we accept that,” he said.
For Lionel Messi, the final may have been a final in more ways than one. He has said this World Cup could be his last, since he would be 43 years old by the 2030 tournament. He has also floated the idea of playing in the 2028 Copa América instead.
Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, now heads into 2030 as a co-host and one of the favorites to defend the title.
