World Cup 2026 | Spain 1 - 0 Argentina
Spain were deserved winners of a desperately disappointing World Cup final
Ferran Torres' extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina.
Author | James Y
Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium
The European champions created the clearer chances against the defending world champions, who spent much of the contest disrupting Spain's rhythm and were reduced to 10 players when Enzo Fernandez was sent off moments before extra time.
Torres proved the match winner in the 106th minute, collecting substitute Nico Williams' headed pass before firing powerfully past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from close range.
A final that promised so much rarely delivered. It became an attritional contest, despite the wider spectacle surrounding the occasion.
US President Donald Trump arrived in New Jersey by helicopter before kick-off, while Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber headlined the first World Cup half-time show, extending the interval to 27 minutes. BBC pundit and former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney wasn't impressed
On the pitch, however, the game never found any real rhythm. Frequent stoppages and the extended break disrupted the flow, although Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal both tested Martinez before half-time.
Spain grew increasingly frustrated with referee Slavko Vincic's lenient approach, particularly after Alexis Mac Allister's late challenge on Dani Olmo. The first booking did not arrive until the 40th minute, when Lisandro Martinez brought down Oyarzabal, although the Manchester United defender was forced off through injury soon afterwards.
Tempers finally boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, already on a yellow card, was shown a second booking for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi.
Martinez kept Argentina in the contest with a string of impressive saves, including an outstanding stop to deny Yamal's free-kick in the closing moments of normal time.
He produced another fine save from Williams' header in extra time before Williams had an effort ruled out after substitute Mikel Merino was penalised for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina had come from behind to beat both Egypt and England in the knockout stages, but there was no repeat this time as Spain claimed the men's World Cup for the second time.
The victory also made Spain the first nation to hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously.
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