Ferran Torres strikes late as La Roja outlast 10-man Argentina to lift their second FIFA World Cup trophy

Spain have been crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in a tense final decided after extra time.

The decisive moment came deep into the second half of extra time when substitute Ferran Torres finished clinically to break Argentine resistance and seal Spain’s second World Cup title—16 years after their historic triumph in South Africa.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, showed resilience throughout the contest, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez delivering a standout performance to keep his side in the game with a series of crucial saves. However, the turning point arrived late in regulation time when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing Argentina to 10 men.

With the numerical advantage, Spain tightened their grip on the match in extra time, dominating possession and probing relentlessly. Their persistence paid off when Nico Williams produced a clever assist, setting up Torres to fire home the winning goal and spark wild celebrations.

Under coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain capped a remarkable tournament run defined by defensive discipline and composure, conceding just once in seven matches while maintaining their signature possession-based style.

Argentina, who entered the final as defending champions, battled bravely through the tournament, including a comeback win over England in the semi-finals. However, they ultimately fell short against a well-organised Spanish side determined to reclaim football’s biggest prize.