Spain battle past 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra-time to win 2026 World Cup

Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup championship with a 1–0 extra-time victory over Argentina on Sunday. Ferran Torres netted the winning goal in the 106th minute, mirroring the circumstances of Spain's first World Cup triumph sixteen years and eight days earlier, when Andrés Iniesta scored in extra time against the Netherlands. The match reflected Spain's overwhelming superiority in possession and chance creation. By the time Torres scored, Spain had registered twenty shots compared to Argentina's zero, demonstrating the gulf in control throughout the contest. Argentina's task became insurmountable when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi near the end of normal time, forcing the defending champions to complete extra time with only ten players. The winning goal came swiftly after the restart. Pedro Porro's outswinging cross from the left found Nico Williams at the back post, whose header redirected the ball into space for Torres to finish decisively. Spain's achievement carries historical significance: they remain the only nation to win a European Championship and World Cup in successive tournaments, having now accomplished this feat twice. Additionally, Spain became the first World Cup champion to concede only once throughout an entire tournament. Luis de la Fuente, at sixty-five, became the oldest coach to win a World Cup. Argentina's Lionel Messi, despite recording eight goals and four assists during the competition, could not prevent his side from failing to win a major tournament for the first time in three consecutive attempts, following Copa América victories in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 World Cup triumph.