An extra-time goal by Ferran Torres gave the Spaniards their second world title and the first since 2010.
Spain dominated Argentina to win a one-sided World Cup final in which even Lionel Messi struggled to make an impact.
The Spanish players were crowned champions for the second time after Ferran Torres netted his first goal of the tournament in the first half of extra time to secure a 1-0 victory.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.
But this was by no means a classic contest. Argentina has been criticized for its physical approach to the game, in which it failed to register a single shot on target.
The defending champions managed to hold Spain to a draw in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended with combative midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a reckless challenge in injury time.
Tempers flared after the dismissal and again at the final whistle, with players from both sides and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni involved in a heated confrontation.
In the end, Spain denied Messi a second consecutive World Cup title in what the 39-year-old has indicated will be the final World Cup appearance of his career.
Spain delivered a disciplined and composed performance to defeat the reigning champions. This victory concludes an impressive campaign for Spain, who successfully navigated a challenging knockout stage, overcoming Portugal, Belgium, France, and Argentina on their way to becoming world champions.
Spain’s victory marks a significant milestone in the country’s football history and highlights a new generation of stars who continue the nation’s tradition of possession-based, attacking football. Their World Cup success is anticipated to further solidify Spain’s status as one of the most successful national teams in international football.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, making Spain the first men’s national team to win the expanded World Cup format.
