Published Jul 20, 2026 | 6:44 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 20, 2026 | 9:20 AM
Spain recorded their second FIFA World Cup win after 2010, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0.
Synopsis: The defining moment came in the 106th minute, 37 seconds after the game had restarted post a hydration break during the extra time. Nico Williams headed back Pedro Porro’s deep cross from the right, Torres swept in and rifled a left-footer past Martinez to the inside roof of the net. The game was sealed with Spain’s 20th shot at goal. It also won them their second World Cup. The first was in 2010.
A generational shift was already on the cards before the kick-off of the final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July (early Monday in India).
The result — Spain 1, Argentina 0 — did not present a fairytale ending to the grand campaign of the football Messiah of our times, Lionel Messi, as Ferran Torres put Spain on top, scoring the lone goal of the match.
The goal also marked the arrival of a new generation in world football.
Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring. (FIFAWorldCup/X)
With Sunday’s win, Spain became the only country to hold the World Cup in both men’s and women’s football.
From the opening whistle, Spain looked indefatigable, even as Argentina strikers were found wanting in steam and direction.
Still, even in defeat, Argentina can take pride in their defence, especially goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, without whom the one-sided match would have been an embarrassing disaster for the defending champions.
Spain started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with a young Lamine Yamal, Messi’s heir apparent, taking the right-forward position against Argentina’s 4-4-2.
The European strategy paid off as the match progressed. By a tepid half-time, Spain had tested Argentina three times. Spain’s sweeper-keeper Unai Simón remained unchallenged — and went on to win the Golden Glove for his outstanding performance in the tournament.
Incidentally, Argentina’s first shot at the goal came as late as the 115th minute from Messi, but then, Mikel Merino ensured that the net remained undisturbed.
The half-time break was unprecedentedly long — 27 minutes and 22 seconds — which went against the International Football Association Board-approved stoppage of 15 minutes.
Spain was aggressive throughout the game.
Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber performed to a star-studded crowd. The US President, Donald Trump, who arrived at the stadium on Marine One, did not seem to be the crowd’s favourite and was booed.
The crowd did not spare the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, either. He, too, was booed before the presentation ceremony.
King Felipe of Spain also watched the game from Trump’s glassed-in box.
The half-time show that rivalled the Super Bowl invited criticism from various quarters for relegating football — the beautiful game — to the background.
The defining moment came in the 106th minute, 37 seconds after the game had restarted post a hydration break during the extra time. Nico Williams headed back Pedro Porro’s deep cross from the right, Torres swept in and rifled a left-footer past Martinez to the inside roof of the net.
The shot, Spain’s 20th at goal, sealed the game. It also won them their second World Cup. The first was in 2010.
Spain’s win over Argentina marked a generational shift in football.
Torres put a ball past Martinez again in the 114th minute, but the goal was disallowed after a review confirmed the striker was offside.
A minute later, Messi, playing his last World Cup, curled in one dipping shot from the short right corner. The ball, however, landed on the roof of the net.
Argentina almost scored an equaliser in the 120th minute. Giovanni Simeone, who came in as a substitute in the 72nd minute, hammered a low cross from a Messi free-kick, but Pau Cubrasi cleared the ball with a deft move. Centre-back Cubrasi went on to win the FIFA Young Player Award.
After the final whistle, ugly scenes unfolded as Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes brawled with Spain defender Eric Garcia and Gavi. The latter was not part of the playing eleven, but he intervened after Paredes held Garcia by the neck. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni and support staff intervened and took their players away. Paredes was soon sent off the field.
Also Read: How Argentina turned fear into belief against England
The game underscored Spain’s defence, which FIFA termed “Record-breaking”.
The team had conceded just one goal in eight matches in the 48-team tournament, held across Canada, Mexico and the USA. They had conceded the lone goal in their game against Belgium. “Spain have conceded the fewest goals of any @FIFAWorldCup-winning team in history,” the world football body said in an X post.
Messi was seen in tears after the game. The Golden Boot, which he had eyed, went to France’s forward Kylian Mbappé, who scored 10 goals.
“He’s 39 years old now. It was crystal clear to me that he was going to play up until he decided not to,” Scaloni said about Messi after the match. I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved, because he’s the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch. I do not doubt this, and what he did during this World Cup was incredible. But also what he did before this.”
Sunday’s hero Torres said the winning goal was scored by 47 million people. “It wasn’t even mine or from the 26 players. It was destined to happen; it was meant to be a winner,” he beamed.
“While all finals are tough, when you’re up against (Lionel) Messi, you do get a bit nervous. We played better football. I’ve been heavily criticised throughout the World Cup. Thank God, who always gives me the strength to carry on. God gives things to those who deserve them most,” he added.
The Netherlands won the Fair Play Award.
