Spain 1-0 Argentina AET: Ferran Torres Wins the World Cup for Spain

Match Details

• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Final
• Date: 19th July 2026
• Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Final Score: Spain 1 - 0 Argentina after extra time
• Half Time: Spain 0 - 0 Argentina
• After 90 Minutes: Spain 0 - 0 Argentina
• Goalscorer: Torres 106' (Spain)
• Sent Off: Enzo Fernandez 90+3' (Argentina)
• Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)

Match Stats & Key Metrics

	Spain	Argentina
Possession	65%	35%
Shots	20	2
Shots on target	12	0
Expected goals (xG)	2.29	0.22
Pass accuracy	89%	77%
Goalkeeper saves	0	11
Fouls conceded	21	25

The Story of the Match

SPAIN are champions of the world for the second time after Ferran Torres struck in extra time to defeat ten-man Argentina 1-0 in a tense and dramatic final at MetLife Stadium, ending the reign of Lionel Messi and his side as world champions.

Spain dominated the contest from the first whistle, keeping the ball with their trademark patience and pressing Argentina back for long periods. Argentina, so often dangerous on the counter, offered next to nothing going forward and failed to register a single shot in the entire first half as Spain searched for the opening goal.

The one man standing between Spain and the trophy was Emiliano Martinez. The Argentina goalkeeper produced save after save to keep his side level, denying Spain time and again in a heroic personal display that would eventually total ten saves, a record for a men's World Cup final. Lamine Yamal thought he had won it with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards, only for Martinez to somehow claw the ball away.

Argentina's task became significantly harder in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, though the decisive blow to their hopes came late in normal time when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for an ugly challenge on Pau Cubarsi. Reduced to ten men with extra time looming, Argentina were forced to dig in and hope to reach a penalty shootout.

Spain finally found the breakthrough their dominance deserved after 106 minutes. Nico Williams nodded a hooked cross back across the face of goal and substitute Ferran Torres was on hand to finish decisively past Martinez and spark wild celebrations among the Spanish support. Torres had another effort ruled out for offside in the build-up soon after, but it mattered little.

Argentina, down to ten men and finally beaten, could not respond, and Spain saw out the closing stages to be crowned champions of the world once more. Torres became just the second substitute to score the winning goal in a World Cup final, and Spain, so impressive throughout the tournament, were worthy winners. For Messi and Argentina, the defence of their crown ended in heartbreak, but Emiliano Martinez left the field with his reputation only enhanced after a truly remarkable individual performance.

Timeline of Key Events

• 22' - Martinez begins his heroics with the first of a series of important saves.
• 45' - The sides go in goalless, Argentina yet to register a shot.
• 75' - Yamal's 25-yard free-kick is somehow kept out by an inspired Martinez.
• 90+3' - RED CARD: Enzo Fernandez is sent off for a second bookable offence, reducing Argentina to ten men.
• 90' - The final goes to extra time at 0-0.
• 106' - GOAL SPAIN: Nico Williams heads the ball back and Torres finishes for 1-0.
• 110' - A second Torres goal is ruled out for offside in the build-up.
• 120+' - Spain hold on to win the World Cup for the second time.

Author's Standout Players

• Ferran Torres (Spain) - Came off the bench to score the goal that won the World Cup, only the second substitute ever to net the winner in a final.
• Lamine Yamal (Spain) - A constant threat throughout and desperately unlucky not to win it with a stunning free-kick.
• Nico Williams (Spain) - Provided the assist for the decisive goal and stretched the Argentina defence all night.
• Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) - Magnificent in defeat with a record ten saves in a men's World Cup final to keep Argentina in the contest almost to the end.
• Pau Cubarsi (Spain) - Composed at the back as Spain kept Argentina without a first-half shot on their way to the title.