Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates with Nico Williams after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States — Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina’s attempt to retain the trophy and securing Spain’s second world title.
Spain previously won the tournament in 2010.
The final, played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, remained goalless through regulation despite Spain controlling possession and creating nearly all of the attacking opportunities.
Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates after scoring the first goal of the game against Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026. | David Ramos/Getty ImagesMikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates with teammates after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Torres Breaks the Deadlock
Spain entered the second period of extra time with a numerical advantage after Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was dismissed for receiving a second yellow card.
The breakthrough followed soon afterwards.
Torres scored in the 106th minute to give Spain the lead it had threatened to take throughout the match.
Argentina could not produce an equaliser during the remaining minutes as Spain protected its advantage and completed an unbeaten tournament.
The victory denied Argentina the chance to become the first country since Brazil to win consecutive men’s World Cups.
Brazil retained the title in 1962 after winning the competition in 1958.
Eric Garcia of Spain celebrates after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Elsa/Getty ImagesThe ball rolls into the net as Spain score against Argentina during the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Getty Images
Spain Controls the Final
Spain finished with 65 per cent possession and attempted 20 shots. Argentina managed two attempts and failed to register a shot on target.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez prevented Spain from taking the lead earlier, making 11 saves. The total established a record for a World Cup final.
Spain’s pressure continued after Fernández’s dismissal, with Argentina forced to defend the closing stages of regulation and extra time with 10 players.
Martínez kept the match scoreless until Torres finally found a way through during the second half of extra time.
Spain’s defensive performance completed a tournament in which the team conceded only one goal.
Argentina, the 2022 champions, could not create the opportunity required to extend the match to a penalty shootout.
Players and officials from Spain and Argentina clash during the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty ImagesPlayers and officials from Spain and Argentina are separated during a scuffle in the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Al Bello/Getty Images
Spain Claims Its Second Championship
The triumph gave Spain its first World Cup title in 16 years and made the country a two-time champion.
Argentina had been seeking a fourth title and the first successful defence of the trophy by any nation in more than six decades.
The defeat also brought Lionel Messi’s fifth World Cup campaign to an end.
Messi had said the 2026 tournament would be his final appearance at the competition.
Spain will enter the 2030 World Cup with an opportunity to become the first team since Brazil to win the tournament twice in succession.
Spain supporters celebrate while watching the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19, 2026. | Getty ImagesLionel Messi of Argentina shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump after receiving his runner-up medal following the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSpanish fans celebrate in Madrid after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026. | Getty ImagesSpanish fans celebrate Spain’s FIFA World Cup final victory over Argentina in Madrid, Spain, on July 19, 2026. | Getty ImagesLamine Yamal of Spain, the 19-year-old record-setting forward, holds the FIFA World Cup trophy after Spain defeated Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesSpain players celebrate with the FIFA World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | David Ramos/Getty ImagesSpain players celebrate after winning the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | David Ramos/Getty ImagesSpain players celebrate on the podium after winning the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | David Ramos/Getty ImagesFerran Torres of Spain celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal against Argentina during the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Franck Fife/AFP via Getty ImagesA Spain player kisses the FIFA World Cup trophy after Spain defeated Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesSpain players celebrate on the podium after winning the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesArgentina’s captain reacts after the FIFA World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty ImagesArgentina’s captain looks down at his runner-up medal after the FIFA World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty ImagesArgentina’s captain walks past the FIFA World Cup trophy after the final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. | Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images
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