Goalless through 90 minutes, decision in extra time
The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey ended 1–0 after extra time. Both sides arrived at the final unbeaten and served up a defensively disciplined contest that produced no goals in regular time. Argentina were chasing a successful title defence, something no side had managed since Brazil in 1962. Spain were targeting a second World Cup crown after 2010. Neither team could find the decisive breakthrough inside ninety minutes. The match was physically intense from kick-off. Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez was shown a yellow card in the 41st minute and had to be substituted three minutes later due to injury. Leandro Paredes received the same treatment in the 52nd minute. Spain gradually took greater control of the game without initially cracking an Argentina defence marshalled by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who ended the evening having stopped eleven shots — a record for a World Cup final.Red card for Enzo Fernández tilts the final
The pivotal moment came in stoppage time at the end of regulation: Enzo Fernández, already booked in the 82nd minute, was shown a second yellow card — and therefore red — for a foul on Pau Cubarsí. Argentina were forced to see out the entire extra time with ten men, a burden that head coach Lionel Sebastián Scaloni's side ultimately could not overcome. Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente, who has been in charge since December 2022 and previously led the side to the 2023 UEFA Nations League and UEFA Euro 2024, was managing his 50th match as head coach of La Selección with this final. In his previous 49 games, he had lost just twice.Torres settles it with his first touch
The only goal of the match arrived in the 106th minute. Pedro Porro crossed from the right flank, Nico Williams nodded the ball on, and Ferrán Torres García steered it past Emiliano Martínez from close range — 1–0 to Spain. Torres had come on in the 62nd minute as a replacement for Mikel Oyarzabal. For the FC Barcelona striker, who had already scored 16 league goals in the 2025–26 season, the World Cup triumph followed the Euro 2024 title — back-to-back major honours with Spain. On the other side, Lionel Messi, 39, was largely kept away from goal. His first shot on target did not come until the 117th minute and was blocked. Spain held on for the win.Spain are 2026 World Champions
With this 1–0 victory, Spain has capped off a flawless World Cup campaign: victories against Austria, Portugal, Belgium, France and Argentina, amongst others, and just one goal conceded throughout the tournament. For Luis de la Fuente and his squad, this triumph is the third major title in three years. Argentina fall short in their bid to defend the crown — the dream of becoming the first successful World Cup title-holder since Brazil in 1962 remains unfulfilled.
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