Spain Beat Argentina 1-0 To Win The 2026 World Cup In One Of The Most Tightly Contested Finals
With the win, Spain claimed its second World Cup title, following its first in 2010.
In one of the most tightly contested World Cup finals in history, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday, July 19, to win the 2026 World Cup.
Spain’s team, blending youth and experience, dominated the match from start to finish, controlling 62% of possession, according to ESPN, recording more shots on goal than Argentina managed all game.
But Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves, the most ever recorded in a men's World Cup final.
Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, after two disallowed goals for Spain, one for a foul and another for being offside.
Argentina played the final stretch of the match with 10 players after midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off with a second yellow for a foul on Spain's Pau Cubarsí.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes also received a red card after the match ended for attacking Spain players.
Argentina picked up a total of six yellow cards, including one for coach Lionel Scaloni for reacting angrily on the touchline, during the match, which was marked by fouls and challenges.
With the win, Spain claimed its second World Cup title, following its first in 2010.
It also capped a historic run for coach Luis de la Fuente, extending Spain's unbeaten streak to 38 consecutive matches without a loss, a new world record, surpassing Italy's previous 37.
Spain's Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best overall player, while goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, conceding only one goal the entire tournament, and 19-year-old defender Cubarsí was named the Best Young Player.
France's Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot for the tournament's top scorer, with 10 goals, his second Golden Boot in a row after 2022.
For Argentina, the loss ended its bid to become just the third country to win back-to-back World Cup titles, after Italy and Brazil.
It also marked what is likely to be 39-year-old Lionel Messi’s final World Cup.
This was the first time the tournament featured 48 teams and featured a halftime show, with performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS and the Muppets.
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Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
