How a young and cohesive Spain took down Lionel Messi’s Argentina - Al Jazeera
Spain defeated Argentina to win their second World Cup title in New Jersey. The young Spanish squad, led by players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, maintained a dominant defensive record throughout the tournament.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant generational shift in international football, showcasing the success of Spain's youth-focused development strategy.
La Roja nullified and frustrated Argentina as they secured victory in New Jersey to win their second World Cup.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Spain's Lamine Yamal and Pedri celebrate after winning the World Cup [Hannah Mckay/Reuters] By Adam Hancock Published On 20 Jul 2026 20 Jul 2026 Thirty-four days ago, Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a frustrating goalless draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde.
On Sunday, they ended it with the World Cup trophy in their hands, defeating holders Argentina in the final in New Jersey.
Luis de la Fuente’s young side improved by leaps and bounds as the tournament wore on, slowly shifting up the gears as they headed through the knockout stages before finally emerging as winners in the biggest game.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in