Toothless Argentina on its knees. Spain won the World Cup!

Spain’s footballers became world champions in 2026 when they beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final thanks to a goal by Ferran Torres. Argentina played from 90+3. minutes weakened after the expulsion of Enzo Fernandez.

The opening kickoff of the final meeting brought an immediate offensive effort by the Spanish team. Already in the fifth minute, Lamine Yamal fought his way into a huge chance after a quick combination, but the fantastic Emiliano Martínez saved his team. Immediately from the subsequent counterattack, Lionel Messi could have struck on the opposite side, but the goalkeeper Unai Simón presented himself with exemplary reading of the game and a timely run far beyond the border of his own penalty area. The Spaniards dominated possession from the start, actively attacked the Argentine passing and did not let the defenders of the trophy into dangerous transitions. The game gradually fell apart, to which tactical fouls also contributed, and in the twenty-fifth minute, the first refreshment break. A warning signal came from the South American side in the form of a yellow card for Lisandro Martínez, who also had to substitute due to health problems just before the break, being replaced by Nicolás Otamendi. The end of the first half brought a dangerous shot by Marco Cucurella just near the right post, but the teams went to the cabins with no goals. The extended break was subsequently diversified by the first ever music show directly on the lawn of the world championship.

After the change of sides, one-way football and absolute Spanish dominance continued on the pitch. While the Argentinians struggled and failed to produce a single shot during regular time, their opponent was constantly threatening. The great combinations of the European team often ended with a self-sacrificing Argentinian defense or a certain Martínez, who dealt with both Dani Olmo’s awkward spot-kick and Aymeric Laporte’s header. Although tactical changes on both sides revived the game, the tension escalated especially in personal fights. Argentina’s frustration peaked at the very end of regular time, when Enzo Fernández had to leave the field early after a second yellow card and a reckless tackle. The weakened South Americans faced extreme pressure, but Emiliano Martínez brilliantly cleared Yamal’s curling shot in stoppage time to send the final drama to extra time at 0-0.

With a numerical advantage, the Spaniards started an offensive carousel right from the first minutes of the added half hour, while the ratio of shots increased to a threatening 20:0 in their favor. The Argentinian goalkeeper first made another important save against the header of substitute Nic Williams, and when the European team scored a subsequent goal, he was saved by the referee’s whistle signaling the previous illegal intervention by Mikel Merino.

However, the resistance of the tenacious Argentine defense was finally broken in the 106th minute. Nico Williams found the onrushing Ferran Torres from the second wave and he finally opened the scoring of the match with an uncompromising finish under the crossbar. Argentina, although playing for ten, at the very end threw all the remaining forces into the attack and fought for a miracle. Hope for an equalization could have been brought by a strong attempt by Lionel Messi, but Merino sacrificed himself to stop it with his own head. In a heart attack situation just before the end of the match, Marcos Senesi found himself in the immediate vicinity of the goal, but he shot over the penalty spot. Spain already had a narrow lead and after the final whistle could start celebrating winning the title.

More about the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Complete program
• Complete results
• Tables
• News from the World Cup in football 2026
• Football World Cup TV program
• Jerseys of countries
• Stadiums