Spain secure second World Cup title with extra-time victory over Argentina
Manager admits match should have been decided earlier as Argentina are reduced to ten men before extra time begins
Spain have claimed their second FIFA World Cup title, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the 2026 final. The victory, secured at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026, completes a continental and global double for manager Luis de la Fuente, who led the national side to Euro 2024 success earlier in the year.
The decisive moment arrived in the 105th minute when Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match, assisted by Nico Williams. Torres powered home Williams’ header to secure the win, although some reports cited the 106th minute for the strike. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had produced a string of fine saves to keep the score level, but was unable to stop the close-range finish that ended the contest.
Argentina were reduced to ten men just before extra time began after Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence. The dismissal followed an incident involving Pau Cubarsi, altering the dynamic of the match as the South Americans defended resolutely but failed to create consistent chances against a Spanish side that had proved strong defensively throughout the tournament.
Following the match, Torres stated that “destiny was written” for the team to win. He attributed the success to the support of the country’s population, noting that the team tried to stay close to the 47 million people in Spain despite being far away. Torres also addressed the challenge of facing Lionel Messi, stating that while the opposition’s star player caused worry, the squad backed themselves to show their football.
De la Fuente admitted that the match should have been decided earlier, suggesting that Spain might have achieved a larger margin of victory if not for Martinez’s interventions. The manager highlighted a specific game plan aimed at keeping Messi and other Argentine players away from goal, praising the players’ attitude and conviction that it was their final to win.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Spanish football, which is also the reigning Women’s World Cup holder. This success continues a golden period for the nation’s footballers, with the men’s team now holding the world title alongside their European crown. Public celebrations were reported in Madrid and among Spanish supporters in New York on 20 July 2026, following the confirmation of the win.
The match is widely regarded as Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance, occurring ten years after his previous tournament success. For Spain, the win confirms their status as the most complete team of the tournament, with De la Fuente’s side now holding both the European and World titles.
