Spain win second World Cup title after 16-year wait

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey

New York New Jersey Stadium

Final

Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time)

Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, lifting the trophy for the second time in the nation's history and the first since 2010.

Luis de la Fuente's side controlled possession from the opening whistle and spent long spells pressing Argentina's defence in search of the opening goal. Spain created several promising attacks during the first half but lacked the finishing touch.

Argentina relied mainly on counterattacks and failed to produce any real danger in front of Unai Simon's goal. The defending champions did not register a single shot during the opening half.

The pattern of the match remained largely unchanged after the break, with Spain continuing to dominate possession while Argentina focused on defending deep and looking for opportunities on the counter.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a series of outstanding saves to keep Argentina in the match. Spain thought they had taken the lead midway through the second half, but the goal was ruled out after a foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi.

In stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving Argentina to play the remainder of the match with ten men.

The match remained goalless after 90 minutes and went into extra time.

Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute, scoring the only goal of the match to secure Spain's second FIFA World Cup title.