Spain are the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title and cap off an impressive tournament campaign.
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While Torres sealed the victory with the winning goal, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal also made history by achieving what Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo never managed during his illustrious international career. At just 19 years and six days old, Yamal has now won both the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup before his 20th birthday, having also played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
Yamal also became the first teenager to feature in both a UEFA European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final. Ronaldo, despite winning five Ballon d’Or awards and enjoying one of football’s greatest club careers, never reached or won a FIFA World Cup final with Portugal.
The much-anticipated final also marked the last World Cup appearance of Lionel Messi, as Argentina sought to retain the title they won in Qatar four years earlier. Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle and controlled much of the contest, limiting Argentina to no shots on target during regulation time.
Despite Spain’s dominance, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano MartÃnez produced a series of outstanding saves to keep his side in the game, denying the Spaniards on several occasions as the match remained goalless after 90 minutes.
The turning point came late in the second half when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Spain defender Pau CubarsÃ, leaving the South Americans to play the remainder of the contest with 10 men.
Spain eventually made their numerical advantage count in the second period of extra time. In the 106th minute, Nico Williams headed the ball across the penalty area for Ferran Torres, who fired a left-footed volley beyond MartÃnez to score the only goal of the match and spark celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
Spain’s triumph also capped another successful campaign under manager Luis de la Fuente, whose side conceded just one goal throughout the tournament while combining an attacking style with defensive solidity.
The victory also saw Spain become the first nation to simultaneously hold the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles. For Yamal, the triumph further cemented his status as one of football’s brightest young stars after becoming a European champion and World Cup winner before the age of 20.
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