Spain are world champions! After an exceptionally intense final, La Roja triumphed 1-0 after extra time against Argentina thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Long held at bay by a magnificent Emiliano Martinez, the Spanish team finally broke down a heroic Albiceleste side, reduced to ten men since the end of regulation time.
A first period largely dominated by Spain
From the opening minutes, La Roja took control of the ball and dictated the tempo. In the 5th minute, Lamine Yamal cut inside after a one-two with Dani Olmo and finished the move himself with a close-range left-footed shot. Emiliano Martinez made a crucial save.
Spain continued to dominate possession against an Argentina side unable to get out of their own half. In the 39th minute, a deflection from Fabian Ruiz allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to unleash a low shot from the edge of the box. Martinez made a comfortable save. Four minutes later, Marc Cucurella found space on the edge of the area and curled a shot across goal that grazed the post.
At halftime, La Roja clearly dominated proceedings. The Spanish created the only real chances of the first half, while Argentina failed to register a single shot on target.
Lisandro Martinez leaves injured, Emiliano Martinez frustrates La Roja
Just before halftime, Argentina lost Lisandro Martinez, forced to leave the field injured. Nicolas Otamendi came on in central defense and immediately proved valuable.
Upon returning from the locker room, Spain increased their pressure even further. Alex Baena tried his luck from distance, Dani Olmo forced Martinez to deflect a dangerous shot, Gonzalo Montiel made a crucial tackle in front of Marc Cucurella, and Ferran Torres headed the ball, but the Argentine goalkeeper caught it.
Chances kept coming. Pedri's shot was saved before Pau Cubarsi was also denied by Martinez. In the 81st minute, Aymeric Laporte headed powerfully from a corner, but the Argentinian goalkeeper made another crucial save.
Argentina finishes with 10 men but forces extra time
Long ineffective, Argentina finally created a huge opportunity in stoppage time. Lionel Messi found himself in the Spanish penalty area, but Rodri made an exceptional recovery tackle and blocked his shot at the last moment.
In the ensuing scuffle, Enzo Fernandez made a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi. Already on a yellow card, the Argentine midfielder received a second and was sent off. Reduced to ten men, the Albiceleste held firm despite a final free-kick from Lamine Yamal, brilliantly saved by Emiliano Martinez.
After 90 minutes, neither team has managed to break the deadlock. The final continues into extra time.
Spain continues its siege
La Roja immediately went back on the attack. In the 93rd minute, Nico Williams headed powerfully from a Pedri cross, but Martinez dived and made another save.
Three minutes later, Nico Williams thought he had finally given his team the lead after Mikel Merino won a one-on-one against the Argentinian goalkeeper. However, the referee disallowed the goal for a foul by Merino on Emiliano Martinez.
In the 103rd minute, Nico Williams made another run down the wing and delivered a perfect cross to Mikel Merino. The Spanish midfielder's header bounced just inches wide of the right post.
Ferran Torres finally breaks down the Albiceleste
The breakthrough came in the 106th minute. Lamine Yamal accelerated down the right flank and passed to Pedro Porro. The full-back immediately sent in a cross towards the far post. Nico Williams intelligently headed the ball back across goal where Ferran Torres was waiting. The Spanish striker volleyed home with his left foot, leaving Emiliano Martinez with no chance. After more than 100 minutes of dominance, La Roja were finally rewarded.
An end of the match under high tension
Argentina, however, refused to give up. Ferran Torres thought he had scored a brace on the counter-attack, but his second goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 115th minute, Lionel Messi received the ball after a corner and attempted a superb curling shot with his left foot. His effort went just over the top corner of the Spanish goal.
In stoppage time of extra time, Giuliano Simeone had the last chance of the match. His volley in the box sailed over the bar.
Moments later, the referee brought the final to a close. Thanks to Ferran Torres' goal in extra time, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 and secured the 2026 World Cup, after dominating the final.
