Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time as Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final…reports London Daily News Desk
Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions after substitute Ferran Torres struck the decisive goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
After a tightly contested and goalless 90 minutes, Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute with a clinical finish. The forward collected Nico Williams’ headed knockdown before driving a powerful left-footed effort beyond Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, handing Spain their first World Cup title since their triumph in South Africa in 2010 and the second in the nation’s history.
Spain enjoyed the better of the contest for much of the evening, controlling possession and creating the clearer scoring opportunities. Despite their dominance, they were repeatedly denied by Martinez, who produced a string of important saves to keep Argentina in the match during normal time.
Argentina, aiming to defend the title they won in Qatar, found it difficult to establish sustained attacking pressure. Captain Lionel Messi was largely kept quiet by Spain’s organised defensive display, while the South American side struggled to create clear-cut chances against Luis de la Fuente’s disciplined team.
The turning point came deep into stoppage time at the end of normal time when Argentina were reduced to 10 players. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez received his second yellow card of the match, leaving the defending champions to play the entirety of extra time with a numerical disadvantage.
Spain continued to press after the dismissal and eventually found the breakthrough. Torres made the difference shortly after extra time began, finishing confidently to reward Spain’s persistence after a series of missed opportunities earlier in the match.
La Roja believed they had doubled their advantage later in extra time when the ball found the back of the net once again. However, the effort was ruled out following a foul in the build-up, ensuring the score remained 1-0.
Despite the narrow margin, Spain remained composed during the closing stages and comfortably protected their lead. Argentina pushed forward in search of a late equaliser but were unable to break through Spain’s resolute defence, allowing the European side to see out the remaining minutes without major difficulty.
The victory completed an outstanding tournament for Spain, who finished the competition unbeaten and reinforced their status among international football’s elite. Their triumph added a second FIFA World Cup crown to the title they won in 2010, marking another landmark achievement for Spanish football.
For Argentina, the defeat brought an end to their reign as world champions. After lifting the trophy in Qatar and arriving at the tournament as defending champions, they fell just short of becoming the first nation in more than six decades to successfully retain the FIFA World Cup title.
