Ferrán Torres ended Argentina’s resistance in the 106th minute, firing Spain to a 1-0 extra-time victory and the World Cup crown at MetLife Stadium. The Spain Argentina final had the scoreline of a tight classic, but almost none of the balance: Spain’s control was relentless, Argentina’s attacking output close to invisible.
Ferrán Torres breaks Argentina after Spain’s siege
After a goalless first half, Spain kept returning to the Argentine penalty area until the barrier finally gave way. Pedri delivered from the right, Nico Williams headed the ball back and Torres struck from close range to settle a final that had stretched beyond 90 minutes.
Spain had already seen a Nico Williams goal ruled out in extra time for a foul at the start of the move. There was no escaping the next breakthrough, and Spain repeated their 2010 triumph while Argentina failed to retain the title won in 2022.
Spain suffocates Argentina in a one-way final
Spain had 65% possession, produced 20 attempts and forced 12 on target; Argentina had two shots and none on target. Argentina did not manage a shot during regular time, an extraordinary blank for a World Cup final and a brutal verdict on how little they offered with the ball.
The discipline record told the same story of a side under siege. Argentina collected five yellow cards, and Enzo Fernández’s second booking in stoppage time left them a player down before extra time. Spain had nine corners to Argentina’s four and no cards, yet had to keep finding ways past Emiliano Martínez.
Mbappé tops chart as Messi finishes second
The Golden Boot graphic adds another sharp contrast to the final’s outcome. France finished fourth, yet Kylian Mbappé led the scoring chart with 10 goals and an 8.3 rating; Argentina’s Lionel Messi was second on eight goals, with the highest listed rating of 8.7.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Final
Date & Time: Sunday 19 July 2026, 21:00 CET
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Referee: Slavko Vinčić, Slovenia
