Spain outlast Argentina to win 2026 World Cup in extra time

Ferran Torres delivered the one touch Spain had chased all night, scoring early in the second period of extra time to beat Argentina 1-0 and win the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York/New Jersey Stadium, ESPN reported.

The Barcelona forward finished after Nico Williams’ header dropped into his path from a Pedro Porro cross, according to ESPN’s match report from East Rutherford, N.J. The goal gave Spain its second World Cup title and added the biggest prize to a team already holding the European Championship.

Spain had the clearer chances before the breakthrough. ESPN reported that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez made several key saves, including a sharp stop from Williams near the start of extra time.

The numbers told a brutal story for Argentina. ESPN said Spain finished with 20 shots, 12 on target, while Argentina had two shots and none on target. Argentina did not manage an attempt until late in extra time, a drought ESPN described as a World Cup record for futility.

Spain’s control wins the night

The final played out as many expected, ESPN wrote: Spain held the ball, set the rhythm and kept pressing, while Argentina waited for a chance to get Lionel Messi involved.

That plan had worked earlier in the tournament. ESPN noted Messi had been decisive in late comebacks against Egypt and England, but Spain’s freshness and technical level left Argentina chasing shadows for long spells.

Referee Slavko Vincic allowed a physical match to run, according to ESPN, before Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time after fouling Pau Cubarsí. Argentina finished with 10 men.

Spain’s tournament was built on control at both ends. ESPN reported Luis de la Fuente’s side conceded only once in eight matches, against Belgium in the quarterfinals. De la Fuente also made a notable selection call by again leaving Pedri on the bench at the start.

Mark Ogden wrote for ESPN that Spain’s victory reflected persistence, possession and composure. He also reported that the win extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches.

Messi’s last World Cup ends quietly

Messi had said this would be his final World Cup, ESPN reported. He leaves the tournament with eight goals and four assists, but the final offered little room for one last rescue act.

ESPN’s Gab Marcotti wrote that Messi, at 39, was limited to one blocked shot, no touches in Spain’s box, two dispossessions and four fouls suffered across 120 minutes plus stoppage time.

The defeat ended Argentina’s third trip to a World Cup final in four editions. ESPN noted Argentina lost to Germany in 2014, beat France in 2022 and fell to Spain in 2026.

Martínez nearly kept Argentina alive on his own. ESPN reported he made 11 saves, tied for the second most in a World Cup knockout match over the past 60 years, while playing with a fractured right ring finger suffered while warming up for Aston Villa before the Europa League final.

The day also included an unusually long halftime show. ESPN reported the break lasted 27 minutes, 20 seconds, beyond FIFA’s usual 15-minute halftime limit, with performances involving Madonna, Justin Bieber and Shakira.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.