Spain Beat 10-Man Argentina in Extra Time to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup

Spain are world champions again after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. 

Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, finishing off a pass from substitute Nico Williams to settle a tight and often scrappy final.

Argentina played the last half hour with 10 men after Enzo Fernández picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time. Even with the extra man, Spain had to wait until deep into extra time to find a breakthrough against a stubborn Argentina defense.

How the Goal Came About

Williams, who had only just come on as a substitute, played the ball through to Torres. Torres made no mistake, driving it past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from close range. It was Torres' first real involvement after being brought on in the second half, and it proved decisive.

A Game Low on Chances, High on Tension

For long spells this was not a final full of excitement. Chances were rare, especially in the first half, and the game only really came alive once Fernández was sent off.

Martínez was the busiest man on the pitch and arguably Argentina's best player. He made a string of saves throughout the match, including a crucial stop from a Lamine Yamal free kick right at the end of normal time, and another from a Williams header soon after. Despite facing wave after wave of Spanish attacks, he kept his side in the game almost single-handedly.

Argentina, by contrast, barely threatened at the other end. They spent most of the match defending in numbers and looking to break forward on the counter, but rarely tested Spain's goalkeeper.

A Physical, Ill-Tempered Contest

The match was littered with fouls and stoppages, and tempers frayed as it wore on. Argentina picked up several yellow cards for what looked like tactical fouling, while Fernández's red card capped off a difficult night for the South Americans. Spain, meanwhile, avoided picking up a card of their own and kept their composure throughout.

Lisandro Martínez also had to go off injured in the first half after being booked for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, forcing an early change for Argentina.

Off the Pitch

The build-up to the final had plenty of star power even if the game itself did not. Donald Trump arrived by helicopter ahead of kick-off, and Madonna and Justin Bieber performed during the half-time show, which stretched the break out to around 27 minutes.

The Bigger Picture

This is Spain's second World Cup title, adding to their 2010 win, and comes not long after they beat England to win Euro 2024. Coach Luis de la Fuente has now delivered two major trophies with a calm, patient approach, and his side grew into this tournament after starting slowly with a goalless draw against Cape Verde.

Spain also beat France in the semi-final to reach this final, and many felt they were the form team of the tournament heading into Sunday's match.

For Argentina, the defeat ends their bid to defend the title they won in 2022. They had beaten Egypt and England on their way through the knockout rounds, but could not find a way past Spain, and Martínez's heroics were not quite enough to force the game to penalties.

Individual Honors Capped Off Spain's Night

Spain's celebrations were extended by a clean sweep of the tournament's top individual awards. Pau Cubarsí was named Young Player of the Tournament, a reward for his composed performances at the back throughout the World Cup, including in the final itself.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón collected the Golden Glove after a remarkable run in goal, keeping seven clean sheets and letting in just one goal across the whole tournament. Martínez, so influential for Argentina in the final, could only watch from the sidelines as Simón picked up his award.

The night's biggest individual prize went to Rodri, who was named Player of the Tournament. 

It is the latest addition to an extraordinary list of honors for the midfielder, who has now won the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League, four Premier League titles, the European Championship and the World Cup, along with the Player of the Tournament award to go with it.

There was also history for Kylian Mbappé, who was handed the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, two clear of Argentina's Lionel Messi. It makes Mbappé the first player ever to win the award twice, and the first to win it in back-to-back World Cups.