NEW YORK: Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing their second world title and their first since 2010.
Spain dominated much of the final, creating several chances in the opening half while preventing Argentina from registering a single shot on target. The match remained goalless through 90 minutes.
Argentina’s task became even more difficult late in regulation time when Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a red card, forcing the South Americans to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
The breakthrough came early in the second period of extra time when Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal to hand Spain the championship. Argentina pushed for an equalizer but failed to find the net.
The trophy was presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, who also handed out the individual awards.
Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named Young Player of the Tournament, while goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove award. Spain captain Rodri received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, with Lionel Messi finishing second and claiming the Silver Ball.
France forward Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals, becoming the first player to win the award twice. Messi finished the tournament with eight goals.
With the victory, Spain became the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles simultaneously, having won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Spain also set a new defensive record by conceding just one goal throughout the tournament, with no team holding a lead against them in any of their eight matches.
Argentina, meanwhile, set an unwanted record by becoming the first team in FIFA World Cup final history to fail to register a single shot on target during the 90 minutes of regulation time. Spain finished the match with 15 attempts, including nine shots on target.
