Spain Clinches 2026 FIFA World Cup Title with Extra Time Victory Over Argentina
Spain have taken out the 2026 FIFA World Cup final as they beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the World Cup for the second time in their history. Former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres scored the winner for Spain in the 106th minute to cap off Spain’s domination at the Met Life Stadium. Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri captained Spain to World Cup glory and in the process he added the final jewel to his crown as a player.
Rodri has now won everything he can win as a player as he was also named as the Player of the World Cup.
Spain dominated the World Cup final against Argentina at the Met Life Stadium to win the competition for the second time. The biggest surprise was that it took until the 106th minute for them to finally break Argentina’s resistance. The World and European champions dominated Argentina as created chance after chance and had 65 % of possession. At the heart of Spain’s dominance was Rodri.
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The Manchester City midfielder dictated the tempo of the World Cup final. His ability to read any danger that Argentina posed was a crucial element in Spain’s win. Also, Rodri’s ability in possession helped his team keep Argentina pinned back. Rodri wasn’t as dominant as he was in Spain’s semi-final win against France. However, for the 99 minutes that he was on the pitch, he played an integral role in Spain’s eventual win.
Across his career with Manchester City and Spain, Rodri has now won every major trophy possible. At Manchester City, he helped City win four Premier League titles in a row. His winner in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan helped City win the competition for the first time in club history. He has also been integral to City’s wins in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Carabao Cup and FA Cup. In the process he won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Manchester City player to do so. For Spain, he has won the European Championships and now the World Cup, as well as being named the player of each tournament. Rodri’s resume speaks for itself and it now contains every available trophy with his World Cup winners medal added to his collection.
Manchester City will have a fully fit and firing Rodri on their hands for next season.
Rodri had to battle his way back to full fitness and in supreme form for this summer’s World Cup. The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder suffered a serious knee injury in September of the 2024-25 season. He missed the majority of that season and returned to the Manchester City line-up for the 2025-26 season. Rodri battled frustrating injuries last season but the signs were there that he would return to his best. That arrived at the World Cup and there is an argument to be made that Spain wouldn’t have won the competition for the second time if they didn’t have Rodri dominating the midfield in big matches and being over the niggling injury issues that plagued him last season.
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From a Manchester City point of view, after enjoying the celebrations that will ensue in the coming days, and after some well-earned time off, they’ll enter next season with Rodri fully fit and raring to go. That will be huge for Enzo Maresca’s side. Rodri is set to undergo minor back surgery imminently. However, Spanish publication Larazon reports that Rodri will not miss any time during preseason and will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season. Manchester City will be hoping that is the case as Rodri makes his teammates walk taller and he looms as Manchester City’s most important player entering next season.
By helping lead Spain to a famous World Cup triumph with their 1-0 win over Argentina, Rodri has now won every major competition he possibly can. Rodri’s performances at the 2026 World Cup were superb and a reminder of his quality. Manchester City will be hoping that they are a sign of what is to come from him for next season.