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Spain are world champions once again after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain's hero after scoring the decisive goal in the second half of extra time to hand La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title and deny Argentina back-to-back championships.
The match had ended 0-0 after 90 minutes before Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second World Cup title.
Spain dominated large spells of the contest, creating numerous chances throughout the match, but were repeatedly denied by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who produced a series of outstanding saves to keep his side in the game. But it wasn’t enough to secure them the victory.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina failed to earn a title for the first time in three major tournaments, having also captured the 2021 and 2024 Copa Americas either side of their 2022 World Cup triumph.
The 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi finished the competition with eight goals and four assists, but had little time on the ball in the final until Spain finally took the lead. And he never seriously looked like he would lift his side to another great moment as he has so many times in the last two World Cup cycles.
Emi Martinez made 11 saves for La Albiceleste, who fell short in their bid to be the first consecutive World Cup champions since Brazil won the 1958 and 1962 titles.What had felt so difficult for the first 105 minutes suddenly looked easy after 37 seconds of play in the second period of extra time.
Pedro Porro curled in an out-swinging cross from the left to the back post, Nico Williams won the header and nodded it back into space, and Torres hammered a half-volley at last past the flailing Martinez.
It was his only goal of the tournament, making him the seventh player to score during a tournament in which his side never trailed.
Asked about his goal, Torres said after the game: “Honestly, I didn’t think too much. I just saw the ball coming to me, and I just shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”
The win made Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach ever to lead a team to the World Cup title.
“We are world champions,” de la Fuente said. “It was together we reached this stage.”