Spain vs Argentina: La Roja stun 10-man Argentina to win 2026 World Cup title

• Spain vs Argentina: La Roja defeated La Albiceleste 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in extra time on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium.
• It was Spain’s second World Cup title, while denying Lionel Messi’s Argentina back-to-back World Cup crowns.

Ferran Torres was the hero, netting the all-important goal as Spain stunned 10-man Argentina to reclaim the FIFA World Cup title, with a 1-0 extra-time victory on Sunday night at Metlife Stadium in North America.

A 1-0 scoreline might not have been much to shout about, but it was the very least they deserved after dominating a night when the former champions shockingly finished regulation time without a single shot on target.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a string of outstanding saves to keep Spain at bay, but the match took a dramatic turn in second-half stoppage time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

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Extra time followed a familiar pattern, with Spain relentlessly searching for the breakthrough against a deep-lying Argentina defence.

The decisive moment finally arrived early in the second period of extra time when substitute Torres fired home after a brilliant knock-back from Nico Williams.

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain conceded just one goal in seven matches on their road to the final, smothering opponents with their slick possession-based football.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina had battled through the knockout rounds, producing a remarkable comeback against Egypt before recovering from a goal down to defeat England in the semi-finals.

Match Report: Spain vs Argentina

A crowd of 80,663, including US President Donald Trump, filled MetLife Stadium hoping to see Lionel Messi guide Argentina to another World Cup title.

Instead, Spain controlled the contest from the opening whistle and never allowed the Albiceleste to settle.

Argentina’s physical approach eventually backfired when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in second-half stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Despite Spain’s dominance, Emiliano Martinez produced a series of superb saves to frustrate La Roja and force the match into extra time.

Spain thought they had found the breakthrough when Nico Williams put the ball into the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul.

However, the winner finally arrived in the 106th minute as Pedro Porro’s cross found Williams, whose clever knock-back set up Ferran Torres to fire home the decisive goal.

Argentina pushed forward in the closing minutes in search of an equaliser, but Spain held firm to secure a deserved 1-0 victory and lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming their second world title after their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010.

Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:

​Morocco national football team 2026

​Argentina national football team 2026

​Mexico national football team 2026

​Spain national football team 2026

Brazil national football team 2026

France national football team 2026

Senegal national football team 2026

​France vs Senegal lineups