Spain 1 – 0 Argentina

Spain won their second World Cup title in the 2026 final after Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute smash finish sealed a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina.

Spain deserved to win. Torres scored Spain’s 20th shot after Argentina finished the game without registering a shot on target.

Lionel Messi touched the ball just 54 times in a match that took three hours to complete and included a 27-minute half-time break.

Spain’s win in 2010 also overshadowed their first victory, scoring in the second period of extra time after a goalless 90 minutes. Then, it was Andres Iniesta against the Netherlands – now another Barcelona player Torres has added his name to the history books.

A return from fellow substitute Nico Williams saw the former Manchester City forward fire the ball past Aston Villa goalkeeper Amy Martinez. It came minutes after Williams had an early strike disallowed for a Michael Merino foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina kept their shape as Spain applied consistent pressure – particularly after Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a reckless second yellow at the end of normal time – and relied on Martinez to make saves.

Their only threat came in added time at the end of extra time, Giuliano Simeone blazed over a shot that would have sent the game to penalties.

But Messi’s expected final appearance at the World Cup was no fairytale ending, with the Argentina captain unmarked for much of the game. He also lost out to his first World Cup Golden Boot France’s Kylian Mbappe won with two goals.

Spain remain unbeaten in tournament matches under manager Luis de la Fuente and add a World Cup win to their Euro title haul from 2024. It was quite a tournament to see France and Argentina look like average teams from the opening draw in Cape Verde and win the World Cup.

Paredes and Molina engaged in angry scenes after full time

There were uncomfortable scenes at full-time as Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina lashed out at celebrating Spain players after Argentina’s defeat.

Molina caught Rodri with an elbow, while Paredes appeared to kick Eric Garcia to the floor and push him back with a firm arm around his neck as the Spaniard got back to his feet to face him.

A Spain substitute later held back another Argentina player before Paredes came on, ripped off his bib and swung twice for him, catching him in the face.

Paredes, who came on at half-time, was booked within minutes of coming on and escaped with a few more yellow card offences. He was eventually sent off after a post-match brawl.

Highlights from New York New Jersey…

5: Shot! Lamine Yamal’s first shot on target.

39: Shot! Oyarzabal hits – but it goes straight to Amy Martinez.

77: Chance! Spain pushed for a goal as Pedro and Pau Cubersi drew saves from the Argentina goalkeeper.

90+3: Red card! Fernandez sent off with a second yellow card after a reckless challenge on Cubersea.

90+9: save! Lamine Yamal makes a great save from Amy Martinez after a whipped effort.

96: There is no goal! Williams has the ball in the net, but Merino inadvertently catches Otamendi on the leg in the build-up and is ruled out.

106: Goal! Torres Williams fires home from a cushioned effort.

114: Offside! Torres has the ball in the net again, but is flagged for offside.

120+2: Over! Simeone has a chance to equalise, but sends an effort wide as Spain win the World Cup.

Analysis: Spain are deserving World Cup winners

Sky Sports’ Adam Butt: “Spain opened this World Cup with a goalless draw against Cape Verde but they finished as worthy winners. They beat the favorites and reigning champions in the semi-finals tonight.

“Conceded one goal in eight games, never trailed in the tournament, they’ve played all the football here. Knocked Argentina out of the park. European champions also World Cup winners. Fully deserved.”

Sky Sports’ Gary Neville to talk ITV: “Spain are not the best individual players, they are the best team, the best collective. And also the best system of the game.

“I spent a short time in Spain and what I found was that they had a different technical and tactical level to the Premier League teams, their understanding of the game.

“It’s the most in international football when you’re playing in 35 degree heat every four days. Technically and tactically, they’re outstanding.”

Torres: Destiny was written for us to win

spain ahead Bring back Torres from fifa: “I think ultimately the goal comes from the 47 million people (approximately the population of Spain), not just from those of us who are here.

“Today was destiny, it was made for us to win. We are far away from our people today, but we tried to be as close to them as possible.

“Finals are difficult. When you have (Lionel) Messi in the opposing team, you worry, but we have always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we can do it again.

“(It was) a huge relief (to score). I was criticized throughout the tournament but, as I said earlier, fate was written.

“Thanks to God, he always gives me the strength to continue and in the end he gives things that deserve them the most.”

Merino: We knew we were a better football team than Argentina

of Spain Michael Marino to talk ITV: “Unbelievable. It’s the perfect moment for us.

“We are a golden generation with these young players who have given everything they have for this country, for these fans. Fortunately, we got the trophy today.

“It was a game of concentration. We knew we were a better team football-wise.

“The pitch was dry, it was a tough game because they are a very, very competitive team and they know how to make the game difficult for you. I think the team was outstanding today and we deserved it.

“When you face a low block and you have a team to defend in your own box, you have to attack the box with bodies on the line and then control transitions.

“We have very good players who can pass the ball, big threats in the box and an old school approach to scoring goals and we did that.”

Analysis: Messi is conspicuous by his absence

Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh: “The World Cup game probably overshadowed Messi’s importance to Argentina.

“They’ve relied on the 39-year-old time and time again in this tournament, and like some of his contemporaries, he’s missed out on one of the biggest moments.

“However, it wasn’t entirely his fault. Argentina had 34.9 percent possession and could do nothing to utilize their star man.

“In the last five minutes, Messi had a few flashes but this time, he and Argentina ran out of time, registering no shots on target.

“But his absence, and his team’s inability to deliver, shows even more how much they rely on him for their goals.”

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