Spain have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tense final decided in extra time.
Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as the hero, striking in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second world title at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, United States.
Torres broke the deadlock after Nico Williams kept Pedro Porro’s delivery alive, allowing the Barcelona forward to fire past Emiliano MartÃnez.
Spain dominated possession and recorded 20 attempts, but MartÃnez produced a string of outstanding saves to keep Argentina in the contest.
Argentina offered little attacking threat, becoming the first team to finish the regulation 90 minutes of a World Cup final without registering a single attempt.
Their resistance suffered a major blow in second-half stoppage time when Enzo Fernández was sent off following a challenge on Pau CubarsÃ.
Spain capitalised on their numerical advantage in the second period of extra time, with Torres finally beating MartÃnez to spark wild celebrations.
Lionel Messi, playing in his third World Cup final, struggled to influence the game as Argentina’s hopes of winning a fourth title and defending the crown they lifted in Qatar in 2022 ended in heartbreak.
The victory handed Spain their first World Cup since Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands secured their maiden title in South Africa in 2010.
It also capped a remarkable period for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who added the World Cup to the European Championship they won in 2024.
At 65, De la Fuente became the oldest coach to win the World Cup, while Spain extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches.
Spain also made history as the first country to simultaneously hold the men’s and women’s World Cup titles. FIFA and Reuters confirmed the match result and key details
