Torres lifts Spain past Argentina for second World Cup crown

Ferran Torres needed one touch in extra time to turn Spain’s long night of pressure into a second World Cup title.

The Barcelona forward scored from close range in the 106th minute as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ESPN’s Mark Ogden reported. The win gave Spain its first men’s World Cup since 2010, when it defeated the Netherlands in South Africa.

Torres had entered in the 62nd minute for Mikel Oyarzabal. His winner came after Nico Williams nodded Pedro Porro’s cross into his path, according to ESPN.

Argentina, the 2022 champion, finished with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the 90th minute. ESPN reported that the Chelsea midfielder received a second yellow card and then a red from referee Slavko Vincic for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsí.

Spain finally breaks through

Spain controlled much of the final and produced repeated chances before Torres broke the deadlock, ESPN reported. Argentina, chasing a second straight World Cup, could not find its footing against Luis de la Fuente’s side.

Lionel Messi’s first attempt for Argentina came in the 117th minute, when his shot was blocked, according to ESPN. Argentina was trying to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.

Spain then held off Argentina’s late push to close out the final and add the 2026 title to its 2010 triumph.

A giant World Cup gets its finale

The match was the 104th and final game of the expanded 48-team tournament, which was staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Associated Press reported that the competition had already reached 307 goals entering Sunday, more than any previous World Cup.

The final drew a heavyweight crowd far beyond soccer. AP reported that actors Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Matt Damon attended, along with NBA stars Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant and James Harden.

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were among the tennis figures in attendance, AP reported. The NFL contingent included Eli Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, while Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn represented U.S. skiing.

Soccer greats Kaka, David Beckham, Didier Drogba and Zinedine Zidane were also at the match, according to AP.

Post Malone headlined the closing ceremony, which began about 90 minutes before kickoff and shortly after Messi and Argentina arrived at the stadium, AP reported. FIFA also staged its first halftime show as part of a 27-minute break, with Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets listed among the performers.

President Donald Trump was present, and AP reported that plans called for him to take part in the trophy presentation after the match.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.