Ferran Torres fires Spain to World Cup glory in extra time
Telemundo reported that the Barcelona forward struck in the 106th minute as Spain beat Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
Ferran Torres delivered the strike that Telemundo said gave Spain the 2026 World Cup, scoring in extra time against Argentina on July 19.
According to Telemundo’s match coverage, the FC Barcelona forward turned up inside the penalty area with Spain playing a man up and drove a shot past Argentina goalkeeper “Dibu” Martínez. A related Telemundo clip placed the goal in the 106th minute and showed Spain’s bench erupting after Torres found the net.
Telemundo described the moment as the goal that secured the World Cup for Spain, while a live stream on the network’s site said fans were celebrating the country’s historic triumph.
The final was played between Spain and Argentina, with Telemundo’s coverage identifying New York as the stage for the title match. The network had billed Argentina as the reigning world champion trying to defend its crown and chase back-to-back World Cup titles.
Spain, meanwhile, entered the final chasing a second star, according to Telemundo’s pre-match coverage, with the network highlighting a squad built around young talent.
A final that boiled over
Telemundo’s coverage also pointed to a flashpoint before Torres’ decisive contribution. The network reported that Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was shown a red card in the final, leaving Spain with the extra player before the Barcelona forward struck.
Another Telemundo clip from the match described a heated exchange involving Lionel Messi and Spain’s Marc Cucurella, adding to the tension of a final already carrying the weight of Argentina’s title defense and Spain’s hunt for another World Cup.
Telemundo’s pre-game clips showed the scale of the occasion around the match. One segment focused on Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni during the national anthem, while another showed Messi leading Argentina before the team took the field.
The network also carried build-up pieces featuring Spain and Argentina before kickoff, including comments from figures around both squads. Telemundo reported that a Spain assistant said the team was calm and confident before the final.
Stars around the trophy
The football was surrounded by a full showpiece event, according to Telemundo. Its coverage said Andrés Iniesta, Mario Kempes, Carlos Alcaraz and Hoyeon presented the World Cup trophy.
Telemundo also reported a halftime show featuring Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna and BTS, and noted celebrity presence around the final, including Zinedine Zidane and Rihanna.
By the time Torres struck in extra time, the story had narrowed to one moment in the box. Telemundo said Spain had the numerical edge, Torres found space, and Martínez could not keep out the shot.
For Spain, the goal was enough for the World Cup. For Torres, Telemundo’s coverage put him at the center of the decisive play in the 2026 final.
This story draws on original reporting from TELEMUNDO.com.