Spain Beat Argentina to Win the 2026 World Cup; See Player Ratings
Spain are the new FIFA World Cup champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 final in New Jersey.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match in the 106th minute as Spain ended Argentina’s reign and lifted the men’s World Cup trophy for the second time in their history.
The final failed to produce the excitement many fans expected. Spain controlled possession for long periods, while Argentina relied on a physical approach to stop the European champions from creating chances.
Spain came close several times in normal time, with Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forcing saves from Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Aston Villa goalkeeper also made a brilliant save from Yamal’s free-kick in the closing moments of the 90 minutes to keep the score level.
The turning point came in stoppage time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Pau Cubarsi, leaving the defending champions with 10 men.
Spain eventually made their numerical advantage count in extra time. Substitute Nico Williams headed the ball into the path of Ferran Torres, who fired home from close range to send the Spanish players and fans into celebration.
Argentina were unable to find an equaliser despite their previous comeback victories over Egypt and England in the knockout rounds. Lionel Messi, who may have played his final World Cup match, was well contained throughout the game and managed only one shot that failed to hit the target.
The victory crowned a remarkable tournament for Spain, who recovered from a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match to lift football’s biggest prize. Coach Luis de la Fuente also added the World Cup to the UEFA Nations League and European Championship titles he has already won with Spain.
The triumph also made Spain the first country to hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles at the same time.
Player Ratings
Spain
Starting XI
• Unai Simon – 7
• Marc Cucurella – 7
• Aymeric Laporte – 7
• Pau Cubarsi – 8
• Pedro Porro – 7
• Fabian Ruiz – 7
• Rodri – 7
• Alex Baena – 7
• Dani Olmo – 7
• Lamine Yamal – 7
• Mikel Oyarzabal – 7
Substitutes
• Pedri – 7
• Ferran Torres – 8
• Nico Williams – 9
• Mikel Merino – 6
• Eric Garcia – 6
• Martin Zubimendi – 6
Argentina
Starting XI
• Emiliano Martinez – 6
• Nicolas Tagliafico – 6
• Lisandro Martinez – 5
• Cristian Romero – 6
• Gonzalo Montiel – 6
• Nico Gonzalez – 5
• Alexis Mac Allister – 5
• Enzo Fernandez – 4
• Rodrigo De Paul – 5
• Julian Alvarez – 5
• Lionel Messi – 6
Substitutes
• Nicolas Otamendi – 5
• Leandro Paredes – 3
• Nahuel Molina – 5
• Facundo Medina – 4
• Giovanni Simeone – 4
• Marcos Senesi – 4
