Spain silences Argentina to win World Cup crown
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in extra time. This victory marks Spain's second World Cup title and cements their status as a dominant force in international football.
Why it matters
The match represents a significant historical moment in international sports, highlighting the end of a competitive cycle for Lionel Messi and the continued success of the Spanish national team.
Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to lift Spain to their second World Cup title with a 1-0 win over gutsy, 10-man Argentina in Sunday’s (July 20, 2026) final.
Torres’ deserved winner came 16 years and eight days after Andres Iniesta also scored in extra time to lift the Spaniards to their first World Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands.
It came on La Roja’s 20th shot of the contest against the defending champions, who failed to manage any to that point and struggled to wrest possession away from their superior Iberian opponents.
That was true at even strength and became more difficult when the Albiceleste’s numbers were reduced when Enzo Fernandez’s late challenge of Pau Cubarsi left referee Slavko Vincic no choice but to produce a second caution just before the end of normal time.
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