Spain Claims 2026 World Cup with Ferran Torres' Extra-Time Winner Over Argentina

Ferran Torres secured Spain's second men's World Cup crown with a decisive goal in the 105th minute, handing Argentina a narrow defeat and halting Lionel Messi's quest for consecutive titles.

The final, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, was a tense battle dominated by defense. Spain's backline limited Argentina to just two shots in 120 minutes, while keeping Messi to a single late attempt during extra time. Argentina's Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time of the second half, leaving his team a man down during critical moments.

Key Moments and Match Details

The only goal came when Pedro Porro crossed to Nico Williams, who then assisted substitute Ferran Torres. Torres calmly finished, placing the ball into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

"Would you believe it?! Spain takes the lead in extra time," Fox Sports tweeted following the breakthrough.

Despite Argentina's efforts with 10 men, they couldn't find an equalizer. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among Spanish players and fans alike.

Starting Lineups

• Late in extra time, Nico Williams headed a cross to Ferran Torres who scored the winning goal.
• Enzo Fernandez’s red card in stoppage time left Argentina with ten players.
• Goalkeeper Emi Martinez made ten saves, setting a new record for most saves in a World Cup final.
• Despite possession struggles and few shots on target, Argentina fought hard until the end.
• Lamine Yamal became one of the youngest World Cup winners at just 19 years old.

Pre-Match and Broadcast Information

The final kicked off at 3 p.m. ET, with extensive coverage on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish across the United States. Fans worldwide could watch via streaming platforms like fubo and Peacock.

The match also featured the first-ever World Cup final halftime show, showcasing performances by BTS, Shakira, Madonna, and Justin Bieber.

Historical Context

Spain captured its second men's World Cup title, the first since 2010, while Argentina aimed to become only the third nation to win back-to-back tournaments, joining Italy and Brazil.

Lionel Messi, playing in his third World Cup final at age 39, became the oldest outfield player to appear in such a match but was unable to add a consecutive championship to his legacy.

Young Spanish star Lamine Yamal's emergence offers hope for the future of La Roja as he gains valuable experience early in his career.