Spain Claims 2026 FIFA World Cup Title with 1-0 Victory Over Argentina
Spain were crowned the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a tense final at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Spain started the game on the front foot and nearly took the lead in the fifth minute when Lamine Yamal combined with Dani Olmo, but the Barcelona forward’s effort was blocked.
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Argentina quickly responded with a chance of their own. Julian Alvarez played in Lionel Messi—the oldest outfield player to ever play at the tournament—but Unai Simon quickly came off his line to clear the danger.
There were no real chances at either end until the 39th minute when Mikel Oyarzabal forced Emiliano Martinez to make a save.
Argentina were forced to make a change before the end of the first half, with Nicolas Otamendi replacing Lisandro Martinez.
The defending champions ended the first half without a single shot for the first time since 1966, highlighting Spain’s dominance.
Just after the interval, Alex Baena fired a shot straight at Martinez following some sloppy Argentina passing.
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Nicolas Otamendi made a vital block to prevent Fabian Ruiz from setting up Oyarzabal for a clear chance before Gonzalo Montiel produced another crucial block to stop Marc Cucurella from going through on goal.
Ferran Torres squandered the first big chance of the second half, heading Yamal’s cross into Martinez’s palms as Spain continued to crank up the pressure.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was called into action again, keeping out efforts from Pedri and Pau Cubarsi in close succession.
Martinez was in the right place again moments later, this time dealing comfortably with Aymeric Laporte’s header.
Four minutes from time, Mikel Merino clipped a clever pass to Torres, who could not hit the target.
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Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, giving Spain the numerical advantage.
Martinez made another brilliant stop just before full-time, parrying Yamal’s free-kick away, forcing the game into extra-time.
The Argentina goalkeeper pulled off another save in the opening stages of the first halftime, denying Nico Williams.
Williams then thought he had found the breakthrough when he fired into an empty net after the ball broke into the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul.
Spain created another big chance, with Williams picking out Merino with a brilliant cross, but the Arsenal midfielder headed wide.
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Torres eventually put Spain in front in the second half of extra-time, rifling a shot into the roof of the net to score his first-ever goal at the tournament.
Torres’ strike proved enough to separate the two sides, as Spain ended Argentina’s title defence to lift the World Cup for the second time.