Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup with team-first blueprint

Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final 1-0 after extra time against Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to ESPN’s match listing, closing a tournament ESPN writer Gab Marcotti framed as one packed with headline acts.

Marcotti wrote that stars including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo all had their moments at the tournament. The trophy, though, went to Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, a side ESPN described as defined more by structure and sacrifice than by one central superstar.

Spain were hardly short of elite talent. Marcotti pointed to Pedri and Lamine Yamal as players among the best in their roles, while noting that Pedri moved to the bench after the round of 16 and Yamal was used in a more conventional wide role than the freer one he often plays for Barcelona.

According to Marcotti, that acceptance across the squad reflected De la Fuente’s standing with the group. ESPN noted that the coach had already won the European Championship two years earlier and had spent years working inside the Spanish federation’s youth setup.

A squad built on buy-in

Marcotti’s analysis underlined how many Spain players arrived after awkward club seasons or injury-hit campaigns. Goalkeeper Unai Simón, who ESPN said conceded only once all tournament, had endured a difficult year with Athletic Club, as had club teammate Aymeric Laporte.

ESPN also cited Pedro Porro’s tough season with Tottenham Hotspur, Marc Cucurella’s Chelsea missing out on Europe, Rodri’s injury and form issues during Manchester City’s campaign, and Fabián Ruiz being limited to 13 league starts despite Paris Saint-Germain winning the Champions League.

Álex Baena and Dani Olmo were described by Marcotti as in-and-out starters at Atlético Madrid and Barcelona respectively, while Mikel Oyarzabal scored nine open-play goals as a central forward for mid-table Real Sociedad, who did win the Copa del Rey. Marcotti identified Pau Cubarsí as the Spain player whose club season was both fit and impressive.

That mix, ESPN argued, helped give Spain a sharp edge: players with something to prove and enough focus to commit fully to De la Fuente’s plan.

Press, pass, repeat

Marcotti wrote that Spain’s title run came through a press-and-possession model, adjusted from the wider, faster style seen in their Euro 2024 win with Yamal and Nico Williams. The approach, as ESPN described it, asked Spain to keep the ball, wear down opponents and swarm immediately after losing possession.

Olmo was singled out by Marcotti for his work in that system, with the ESPN writer saying he would have been a worthy Golden Ball winner. The award went to Rodri.

Spain’s tournament also included a scoreless draw with Cape Verde, a bruising meeting with Uruguay and a test against France’s attack, according to ESPN. In the final, Marcotti wrote that Argentina played physically early while referee Slavko Vincic allowed contact to go on.

Spain’s finishing remained a concern in ESPN’s analysis, particularly because Oyarzabal is not a lifelong penalty-box striker. Marcotti credited the defence, led by Cubarsí, with giving Spain the platform to stay calm.

ESPN said Spain finished the World Cup having allowed just one goal in eight matches, a defensive mark Marcotti described as a new standard. The final score did the rest: Spain 1, Argentina 0, and De la Fuente’s collective machine on top of the world.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.