Messi bows out as Spain deny Argentina in World Cup final
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey, leaving Lionel Messi with one World Cup title and another giant chapter in his legacy.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Lionel Messi’s latest World Cup run ended one win short, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final in New Jersey, according to CBS Sports.
CBS Sports reported that Ferran Torres, used as a reserve, scored the decisive goal in extra time as Spain claimed its second World Cup title. The result stopped Argentina from repeating as champion, a feat CBS Sports noted has not happened since Brazil in the 1960s.
For Messi, 39, the final was widely viewed by CBS Sports as likely his last World Cup appearance, although the outlet noted that nothing has been made official. If that was his farewell on the sport’s biggest stage, it came against a Spain side that allowed Argentina no shots on target over 120 minutes, according to CBS Sports.
Spain’s wall shuts the door
Spain’s title came with a defensive record attached. CBS Sports reported that La Roja conceded one goal across eight games, the lowest total for a World Cup champion in the tournament’s 96-year history.
The win also extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches, which CBS Sports described as an international soccer record. That form was enough to turn Argentina’s attack quiet on the final day, including Messi, who had little room to change the match.
CBS Sports reported that Messi had one late attempt from outside the area near the end of extra time, but the shot went wide. Spain celebrated while Argentina’s chance at another title slipped away.
Messi still made history
The defeat did not erase another milestone. CBS Sports reported that Messi became the first player to start in three World Cup finals.
His 2026 tournament still had signature moments. According to CBS Sports, Messi scored a hat trick against Algeria on June 18, his first World Cup hat trick. The outlet also reported that Argentina survived a quarterfinal against Egypt and then beat England in the semifinals, with Messi assisting both Argentina goals in that semifinal victory.
His 2022 World Cup win in Qatar remains the central title of his Argentina career. CBS Sports columnist Matt Norlander wrote that the Qatar triumph strengthens Messi’s case as the greatest footballer in history, while his 2026 run to another final added to that argument even without a second trophy.
A North American spotlight
CBS Sports also framed the 2026 World Cup as a major moment for soccer in the United States. The tournament brought the World Cup back to North America for the first time in 32 years, according to the outlet.
Norlander wrote that Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023 helped increase interest in the tournament among American fans. He also argued that Messi’s fame now places him among the rare global athletes identified by one name, alongside figures such as Jordan, Ali, Serena, Bolt, Brady, Pelé, LeBron, Biles, Phelps and others.
Messi did not leave New Jersey with another World Cup. CBS Sports’ view was clear: his place among global sports icons was already secure, and this final run only made it harder to ignore.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.