East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 19, 2026 – Spain have won their second World Cup title, sixteen years after their 2010 triumph. At MetLife Stadium, La Roja edged defending champions Argentina 1-0, with the final decided in extra time through a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute.
The Match
The regulation 90 minutes ended goalless, with Luis de la Fuente’s Spain dominating possession and territory but unable to break down a well-organized Argentina defense. The turning point came in extra time: in the 90th+3 minute, Argentina were reduced to ten men after Enzo Fernandez picked up a second yellow card, and Spain made their numerical advantage count with Torres’s decisive strike in the 106th minute.
For Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina, the dream of back-to-back titles ends here, following their 2022 triumph in Qatar. A repeat win would have made them the first nation to defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
The Standouts
Pau Cubarsi was named Best Young Player of the tournament, delivering a crucial defensive clearance late in extra time. The Golden Glove award, won by Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez in 2022, went elsewhere this time.
In Saturday’s third-place match in Miami, England beat France 6-4 in a thriller, powered by a hat-trick from Bukayo Saka.
The Verdict
With this win, Spain confirm their status as reigning European and World champions, echoing the golden generation’s historic double from 2010–2012. For Argentina, it caps an outstanding run that fell just short in the final act of a tournament that also saw Lionel Messi close in on the all-time World Cup scoring record.
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