Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute as Spain edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Spain dominated the contest from start to finish, controlling possession and creating the vast majority of the chances. Despite relentless pressure, Lionel Messi’s Argentina managed to hold firm throughout regulation time, forcing the match into extra time.
The breakthrough finally arrived early in the second period of extra time when Torres reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area, smashing a left-footed effort just beneath the crossbar to hand Spain the lead.
Argentina’s hopes had already taken a major blow in second-half stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi. Reduced to 10 men, the reigning champions were forced to play the remainder of the match at a numerical disadvantage.
Moments after Fernandez’s dismissal, Spain nearly found a winner in regulation when Lamine Yamal curled a free kick toward the right corner from around 22 yards. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a spectacular diving save, his 10th of the match, the highest total ever recorded in a World Cup final, to keep his side alive and send the game into extra time.
The statistics highlighted Spain’s dominance. They registered 15 shots during regulation compared to Argentina’s none, while also earning nine corner kicks to Argentina’s one. However, Argentina’s resilient defending and Martinez’s heroics kept the score level until Torres finally broke the deadlock.
The victory makes Spain the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles.
The final concluded the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded tournament produced 104 matches and a record 308 goals.
Netizens Reaction
Twitter erupted as La Roja lifted the FIFA World Cup 2016 after sixteen years. There were many parodies made around Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. Several netizens also pointed out the ‘controversial decisions’ that went in favour of La Albiceleste throughout the entire tournament (including today’s match). Here are a few tweets which captured the mood of the netizens on social media: