By: Andrea Migliavacca AIPS Media

LAUSANNE, July 19, 2026 – Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title after substitute Ferran Torres struck in extra time to seal a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. After dominating possession for more than 100 minutes against an Argentina side largely committed to defending deep, La Roja finally found the breakthrough through Torres, whose finish rewarded a patient and relentless performance.

SPAIN TAKE THE INITIATIVE The final was billed as a meeting between two generations. On one side stood the reigning world champions led by Lionel Messi, while on the other Spain arrived as European champions, powered by the emerging brilliance of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. From the opening whistle, however, Spain established control. Luis de la Fuente’s side monopolised possession and pinned Argentina inside their own half, patiently moving the ball in search of openings. The first clear chance arrived after only five minutes when Dani Olmo slipped Yamal through on goal, but Emiliano Martínez reacted brilliantly to deny the Barcelona winger with his feet. Spain continued to dictate possession, with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal combining well between the lines while Álex Baena repeatedly delivered dangerous balls into the penalty area, while Argentina struggled to build attacks beyond occasional counter-attacks led by Messi and Julián Álvarez.

Despite Spain’s territorial dominance, the opening half produced few genuine opportunities. Emiliano Martínez comfortably dealt with efforts from Oyarzabal and Yamal, while Argentina failed to seriously test Unai Simón before the interval.

MARTÍNEZ KEEPS ARGENTINA ALIVE Spain resumed after the break with the same authority. Álex Baena forced Martínez into another save moments after the restart before Luis de la Fuente refreshed his attack by introducing Pedri, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres.

The substitutions immediately increased Spain’s attacking threat. Nico Williams repeatedly stretched the Argentine defence down the left, while Torres provided greater movement inside the penalty area. Emiliano Martínez continued to frustrate Spain, producing important saves to deny Nico Williams and Mikel Merino as the European champions maintained almost constant pressure.

At the other end, Lionel Scaloni was forced into a succession of changes, particularly in defence. Lisandro Martínez departed with a muscle injury before Cristian Romero was also replaced, while Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Facundo Medina and Giuliano Simeone were introduced as Argentina increasingly focused on preserving the deadlock.

RED CARD CHANGES THE FINAL The tension grew during the closing minutes of normal time.
Spain thought they had finally broken through when Nico Williams turned home from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out following a foul earlier in the move. Moments later, Argentina suffered a major setback as Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí, reducing the South Americans to ten men deep into stoppage time.
Spain almost took immediate advantage, but Martínez produced another excellent save from Yamal’s stoppage-time free-kick to force extra time.

TORRES DELIVERS THE DECISIVE MOMENT Even with the extra man, Spain initially struggled to find a way through. Merino headed narrowly wide before another Torres effort was ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough finally arrived at the start of the second period of extra time.

Pedro Porro delivered a deep cross towards the far post, Nico Williams intelligently headed the ball back across goal and Ferran Torres arrived to fire a first-time finish beyond Martínez for the only goal of the final. Argentina, who spent almost the entire match without managing a shot on target, finally committed players forward in search of an equaliser. Messi attempted to spark one last comeback, while Giuliano Simeone fired over the crossbar from close range in stoppage time before Pau Cubarsí produced a crucial intervention to prevent Facundo Medina from converting Simeone’s dangerous cross. Moments later, referee Slavko Vinčić brought the final to an end, confirming Spain as world champions.

ANOTHER TROPHY FOR LA ROJA The victory completed another remarkable achievement for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who added the FIFA World Cup to their recent UEFA European Championship triumph and further established themselves as the dominant national team of the current era.

For Argentina, the defeat ended their reign as world champions. Lionel Messi and his teammates defended resolutely for more than 100 minutes, with Emiliano Martínez producing a series of outstanding saves, but they were ultimately undone by Spain’s persistence and Ferran Torres’ decisive finish. As Spain celebrated their victory, a tearful Lionel Messi left the pitch after what is widely expected to be the final World Cup appearance of one of football’s greatest players.

Spain also extended their unbeaten run to 38 consecutive matches across all competitions, the longest ever recorded by a European or South American national team, while lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy for only the second time after their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010.