In a match Lionel Messi and Argentina would rather forget, Spain dominated every department of the game. The only goal of the final came from Spanish forward Ferran Torres.
Sanjay V. Shah
Played on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final turned into a one-sided affair as Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0. In what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most one-sided FIFA World Cup finals in history, Spain produced a spellbinding performance from start to finish. It is worth noting that Spain’s women’s team had already lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. With this victory, Spain has become the first nation in history to hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles simultaneously.
Argentina never looked in control for even a handful of minutes during Sunday’s final. For Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who is on the verge of retirement, it proved to be an unimaginably disappointing evening. Spain marked Messi out of the contest throughout the match. Faced with Spain’s commanding all-round display, Messi and Argentina were eventually forced to surrender.
World Cup finals rarely unfold in such a one-sided fashion. While Argentina struggled to create meaningful opportunities, Spain displayed attacking football at its very best. The only goal of the match arrived in the 106th minute when 26-year-old forward Ferran Torres found the net.
Neither side managed to score during the regulation 90 minutes. Even so, Spain dominated both halves, repeatedly carrying the ball deep into Argentina’s territory and creating chance after chance. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez produced an outstanding display to deny Spain on several occasions. During extra time, Nico Williams did put the ball into the net, but the effort was ruled out after Michael Merino was adjudged to have unintentionally fouled Nicolás Otamendi moments before the goal.
Match Highlights
- 41st minute: Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez was shown a yellow card for his challenge.
- 45th minute: Despite Spain’s overwhelming superiority, the first half ended goalless.
- 90+3 minutes (stoppage time): Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card, which resulted in a red card. Argentina were forced to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
- 95th minute: Nico Williams appeared to have given Spain the lead during extra time, but after a VAR review the goal was disallowed because Michael Merino had inadvertently stepped on the foot of an Argentine defender just before the goal. The score therefore remained 0-0.
- 106th minute: Spain finally broke the deadlock. Ferran Torres produced an excellent finish to put Spain 1-0 ahead.
- 120th minute: The final whistle confirmed Spain as FIFA World Cup 2026 champions.
- Spain’s 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal created a new piece of football history by becoming the first teenager ever to play in both a UEFA European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final. Although he did not score in the final, he played a vital role in unsettling Argentina’s defence.
- Spain centre-back Pau Cubarsí was named the tournament’s Best Young Player. The 19-year-old defender conceded only one goal throughout the competition.
- Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove award after keeping clean sheets in seven of Spain’s eight matches, including the final.
- France’s Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after scoring ten goals. Lionel Messi received the Silver Boot with eight goals, while England’s Jude Bellingham claimed the Bronze Boot after scoring seven.
- Spain captain and defensive midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri) was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Messi received the Silver Ball, while Mbappé was presented with the Bronze Ball.
- The tournament’s Best Young Player award went to Spain’s centre-back Pau Cubarsí. The 19-year-old defender conceded just one goal throughout the tournament.
- Spain’s Unai Simón was named the tournament’s Golden Glove winner. The goalkeeper kept clean sheets in seven of Spain’s eight matches, including the final.
- France’s Kylian Mbappé, who scored 10 goals during the tournament, won the Golden Boot. Lionel Messi, with eight goals, received the Silver Boot, while England’s Jude Bellingham, who scored seven goals, was awarded the Bronze Boot.
- The tournament’s Golden Ball award was presented to Spain captain and defensive midfielder Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri. Lionel Messi received the Silver Ball, while France’s Kylian Mbappé was awarded the Bronze Ball.
