Torres’ extra-time strike seals Spain’s triumph as 10-man Argentina falter, leaving 39-year-old Messi in tears after record-setting campaign

Lionel Messi’s quest for a fairytale World Cup farewell ended in heartbreak on Sunday night as Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in a tense final at the MetLife Stadium.

The 39-year-old, who had carried Argentina to the final with eight goals and two assists, was left in tears after Ferran Torres struck deep into extra time to hand Spain the title and deny the Albiceleste a historic title defence.

Argentina, reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez’s late red card, delivered a blunt and disjointed performance, struggling to trouble a disciplined Spanish side throughout the encounter. Despite holding on under pressure, they finally cracked in the 106th minute when Torres found the decisive breakthrough.

For Messi, the night fell far short of expectations. The Argentine captain saw little of the ball, registering just 54 touches, and never looked likely to score the goal that would have drawn him level with Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup scoring record.

The defeat echoes past final heartbreaks, adding to losses in 2014 and earlier Copa America disappointments, despite his triumphant 2022 campaign in Qatar. Argentina also missed the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.

Still, the final marked another milestone in Messi’s legendary career, as he became only the second player after Brazil’s Cafu to feature in three World Cup finals, and extended his record appearances in the tournament.

Having played over 200 international matches and a record 34 World Cup games across six tournaments, this defeat is widely expected to mark the end of Messi’s World Cup journey.

After a glittering career filled with historic highs, the 2026 final ultimately proved a step too far for both Messi and Argentina.