Chandigarh, July 20: Substitute Ferran Torres delivered a decisive 106th-minute strike to secure Spain a 1-0 victory against defending champions Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. The triumph gives Spain their second world crown, adding to their 2010 victory and completing an impressive double alongside their UEFA Euro 2024 championship.
Spain reached the summit while setting a historical defensive standard, conceding just one goal across eight matches throughout the tournament.
“I did not think too much,” Ferran Torres asserted following the victory. “I just saw the ball coming to me, and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”
Spain maintained command over the final, generating 12 shots on target compared to Argentina’s single attempt. Argentina’s defensive effort was further compromised during extra time after midfielder Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten players. Despite persistent saves from Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Torres broke through early in the second period of extra time following a setup by Nico Williams.
With this triumph, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente became the oldest manager to win a FIFA World Cup.
“I feel especially proud of this generation of footballers who have grown with this idea, making it better and giving us an example of a family,” Luis de la Fuente affirmed. “They are players with exceptional talent.”
The result brought an end to Lionel Messi’s reign as defending World Cup champion after leading Argentina to victories in the 2022 World Cup as well as the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments. Meanwhile, 19-year-old winger Lamine Yamal celebrated a landmark career achievement, playing a key role throughout Spain’s campaign.
“There is sadness, but also the knowledge that we gave it our all,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni maintained. “We are big in victory and we must be big in defeat.”
