For only the second time in their country’s history, Spain once again stand alone on top of football’s highest mountain, dealing the defending champions Argentina a 1-0 defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on Monday.
With all momentum running through La Roja throughout the entire match, Spanish forward Ferran Torres broke through in the 106th minute, successfully converting his shot off the Nico Williams assist.
The shot was Spain’s 12th on goal, as Argentina’s Emi Martinez pestered the opposing offense all game long, delivering the most saves ever in a World Cup Final with 11.
The red-and-yellow missed multiple opportunities to score in extra time, as a Nico Williams goal in the 95th minute was ruled off due to a foul, while another strike from Torres in the 113th minute was ruled offside.
Spain then went on to survive the dying minutes of stoppage time, as two attempts from Argentina to force the match to penalty shots ultimately fell short.
Spain Claim Second World Cup
The victory also marked the end of Spain’s 16-year championship drought, where they last lifted the World Cup trophy in 2010 against the Netherlands in similar fashion, claiming a 1-0 victory in extra time.
The Spanish squad also wrapped up their campaign near-flawless, winning six consecutive matches after their opening match draw against Italy. Spain also became the first team in history to win the World Cup while only conceding one goal, after a 2-1 quarterfinal victory against Belgium.
Additionally, Spain broke records outside FIFA, as they now hold the longest winning streak in men’s international football history with 38, breaking their tie with Italy, who previously won 37 straight outings.
Argentina Denied Title Repeat as Messi’s International Career Dims
With Argentina’s loss, no team in FIFA World Cup history in 64 years has won two consecutive World Cups, as Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 titles remain the last back-to-back crowns.
The Albiceleste momentum continued to deplete early in extra time, as Enzo Fernandez was called for a red card after incurring his second yellow due to a hard foul on Pau Cubarsi in the 93rd minute.
With only 10 players left, the undermanned Argentina failed to convert the equalizers in the final minutes, despite multiple free-kick attempts.
The loss also prompted questions on Lionel Messi’s career, as many believe that the 39-year-old team captain may have just played his last World Cup.
Despite the defeat, the Argentine footballer continued to prove Father Time wrong, winning the tournament’s Silver Ball award—the first of his career.
