Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game 39 seconds into the second period of extra time — the 106th minute — turning in a low cross from Nico Williams. It is Spain’s second World Cup title, following their 2010 win.
Argentina, chasing a fourth star after their 2022 triumph, played most of the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí.
Spain dominated throughout, taking 20 shots to Argentina’s none on target, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a World Cup final record 11 saves to keep the score level until extra time. Spain conceded just one goal across the entire tournament — the fewest ever for a champion, despite playing a tournament-high eight matches en route to the title.
How Spain and Argentina Got Here
Spain topped Group H, then beat Portugal, Belgium, and France (2-0 in the semi-final on 14 July) to reach the final.
Argentina, the defending champions, needed extra time to see off Cape Verde, came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt, beat 10-man Switzerland after extra time, and came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semi-final on 15 July.
Sources
- ESPN — Spain Edge Argentina After Extra Time to Win 2nd World Cup Title
- Fox News — Spain Beats Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup Behind Ferran Torres’ Extra-Time Goal
- Yahoo Sports — Spain Suffocates Lionel Messi and Argentina, Wins World Cup on Ferran Torres’ Extra-Time Winner
- Fox Sports — Spain’s Ferran Torres Scores Go-Ahead Goal in Extra Time vs Argentina
- FIFA — 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
- ESPN — England 1-2 Argentina, Semi-Final Match Report
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