East Rutherford, New Jersey — Spain claimed its second World Cup title after Ferran Torres buried an extra-time winner to beat defending champions Argentina 1-0, denying Lionel Messi a fairytale send-off from the international stage.
The Barcelona forward drilled home a powerful finish in the 106th minute, capping a match in which Spain dominated possession and chances while Argentina never managed to force a single shot on target across 120 minutes.
More than 80,000 fans, including U.S. President Donald Trump, filled MetLife Stadium hoping to watch Messi lift a second World Cup crown at 39, in what is widely expected to be his last appearance at the tournament. Instead, the Argentine icon was largely nullified as Spain seized control from the opening whistle.
A Bruising, Cynical Argentina Display
Argentina leaned heavily on rough tactics throughout the contest, and the indiscipline finally caught up with them in stoppage time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow and sent off following a dangerous lunge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi.
Early warning signs came in the 15th minute, when Alexis Mac Allister flew into a reckless, studs-up tackle on Dani Olmo without picking up a card, and Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic let plenty of niggling fouls go unpunished on both sides, including an elbow from Spain’s Alex Baena on Messi himself.
Despite the physical battle, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez kept his side alive with a string of key saves, and it looked for long stretches like the final might be heading to penalties.
Nico Williams thought he’d broken the deadlock in extra time, but the goal was chalked off for a marginal foul, keeping the score level until Torres finally delivered.
How Spain’s World Cup 2026 Winning Goal Came Together
The decisive move started with a Pedro Porro cross toward the back post, headed into Torres’ path by Williams, who buried it first-time past Martinez to send the Spanish bench into wild celebration.
“Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people, not just me or the 26 players,” Torres said afterward, referencing Spain’s population. “When you’re up against Messi, there’s a certain nervousness, but we always believed in our football and in ourselves.”
Spain’s dominance had been building for most of the match. Mikel Oyarzabal tested Martinez early, and after a lengthy halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber, La Roja came out firing in the second half. Substitutes Pedri and Torres injected fresh energy, with Yamal, Cubarsi and Rodri all forcing saves out of Martinez before the breakthrough finally arrived in extra time.
Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez had already picked up a yellow card and been forced off injured before halftime, replaced by veteran Nicolas Otamendi, while Fernandez’s late red card left the South Americans chasing the game with 10 men.
Spain Secures Second World Cup Title
Argentina threw everything forward in the closing minutes, but Spain’s defense held firm to secure a 1-0 victory and the nation’s second World Cup crown, following their first triumph back in 2010.
For Messi, the loss brings a bittersweet end to what may be his final World Cup appearance, while Spain’s World Cup 2026 win cements the team’s status as one of international football’s most dominant sides of the decade.