Enzo Fernández was the fall guy as Spain outplayed, outfitted, outlasted, outnumbered and outclassed an unbubbly Argentina.
Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a tense and hard-fought final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina’s resistance and handing Spain their second World Cup title to add to the one they won in 2010.
The European champions dominated much of the contest, creating the better chances against an Argentina side that struggled to impose itself and was reduced to 10 men late in normal time.
Midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving Argentina to play the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage.
Spain finally found the breakthrough early in extra time when Nico Williams headed the ball into the path of Torres, who fired a powerful close-range effort beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Martínez had kept Argentina in the contest with a string of outstanding saves, denying Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Williams during normal time and extra time.
Williams also had the ball in the net during extra time, but the goal was ruled out after a foul by substitute Mikel Merino on defender Nicolás Otamendi in the build-up.
The highly anticipated final failed to produce the attacking spectacle many had expected, with frequent fouls and stoppages disrupting the flow of the game.
Off the pitch, however, the occasion was marked by a star-studded atmosphere. United States President Donald Trump attended the final and presented the trophy after the match, while Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber headlined the tournament’s first-ever World Cup halftime show.
Spain’s triumph capped an impressive campaign in which they combined defensive solidity with disciplined possession-based football, defeating France in the semi-finals before overcoming Argentina in the final.
