Key highlights of FIFA World Cup 2026 final
- Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
- Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
- Argentina played extra time with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
- Spain won their second men’s FIFA World Cup title, their first since 2010.
- Rodri won the Golden Ball, while Kylian Mbappe finished as Golden Boot winner.
Spain are world champions again. Ferran Torres scored in extra time as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York/New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, to lift their second men’s World Cup title.
The final did not produce many goals, but it gave football fans a tense, tactical and emotional contest. Argentina defended their title hopes for more than 100 minutes, but Spain kept pushing and finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute.
Torres, who came off the bench, scored the biggest goal of his career. Pedro Porro’s cross caused trouble inside the Argentina box, Nico Williams helped the ball into Torres’ path, and the Spanish forward finished from close range. That one moment decided the World Cup.
Also Read | FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Beat England 2-1 to Reach Final Against Spain
Spain vs Argentina final result
Spain entered the final with confidence after beating France 2-0 in the semi-final. Argentina came in after a late 2-1 comeback win over England. Both teams had strong reasons to believe they could win.
The first half was tight. Spain had more of the ball, but Argentina stayed compact. Messi tried to drop deeper to receive possession, but Spain did not allow Argentina to create many clear chances.
Spain were the more active side going forward. They moved the ball patiently and kept Argentina pinned back for long periods. Argentina defended with discipline, but they struggled to turn possession into attacks when they won the ball back.
The match stayed goalless through normal time. Argentina then suffered a major blow when Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card in stoppage time. That meant Argentina had to play extra time with 10 men.
Spain used the extra player well. They stretched the game, moved Argentina from side to side and kept the pressure on. The breakthrough finally came in the 106th minute when Torres scored from close range.
Argentina tried to respond late, but they did not have enough energy or numbers to force a comeback. Spain saw out the match and became FIFA World Cup 2026 champions.
Also Read | FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain Beat France 2-0, Reach Final After Oyarzabal and Porro Goals
Ferran Torres scores the biggest goal of his career
Ferran Torres will remember the 106th minute for the rest of his life.
He did not start the final, but he became the player who decided it. His movement inside the box was sharp. When the ball dropped to him, he reacted faster than Argentina’s defenders and finished with composure.
In a final where chances were limited, that finish carried huge value. Spain had taken 20 attempts before finding the goal, and Torres made sure the pressure finally counted.
Argentina reduced to 10 men in extra time
Enzo Fernandez’s red card was one of the biggest turning points of the final.
Argentina had already spent large parts of the match defending. Losing a midfielder before extra time made the task much harder. Spain were already controlling possession, and the extra player gave them even more space to attack.
Argentina tried to stay compact after the sending off, but Spain kept moving the ball wide and forced them to chase. The pressure eventually led to the winning goal.
Rodri wins Golden Ball
Rodri was named the Golden Ball winner as the best player of FIFA World Cup 2026.
He was the player who gave Spain balance throughout the tournament. He controlled midfield, protected the defence and kept Spain’s passing game steady in difficult matches.
FIFA’s own tournament statistics before the final had highlighted Rodri’s huge workload, including his passing volume and high-intensity running across the competition. His influence was not always flashy, but it was constant.
Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappe finished as the tournament’s top scorer and won the Golden Boot with 10 goals.
France did not reach the final, but Mbappe remained one of the standout players of the tournament. His goals kept France in the title race until their semi-final defeat to Spain.
Mbappe’s Golden Boot also shows how competitive the tournament was at the individual level. Messi, Haaland and other stars had strong campaigns, but Mbappe finished ahead in the scoring race.
Final tournament standings
- Champions: Spain
- Runners-up: Argentina
- Third place: England
- Fourth place: France
England finished third after beating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place playoff. France ended fourth after reaching the semi-finals but losing their last two matches.
Also Read | FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals India Time: Full Fixtures and Road to Final
Key players of Spain vs Argentina final
Ferran Torres
Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. He came off the bench and delivered the goal that made Spain world champions.
Rodri
Rodri controlled midfield and won the Golden Ball. His calm passing and positioning helped Spain dominate long periods of the final.
Pedro Porro
Porro created the move that led to the winning goal. He also worked hard defensively and capped a strong tournament.
Nico Williams
Williams played a key role in the winning goal by helping the ball into Torres’ path. His energy gave Spain another attacking outlet.
Lionel Messi
Messi could not decide the final, but his presence remained Argentina’s biggest hope. Spain did well to limit his influence.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo’s red card changed the final. Argentina had to play extra time with 10 men, and Spain took advantage.
Best moments of the final
The first big moment was the red card to Enzo Fernandez. It changed Argentina’s plan and gave Spain the advantage before extra time.
The second was Torres’ goal in the 106th minute. It was the goal that decided the World Cup.
The third was Spain’s control after taking the lead. They did not panic. They kept the ball, slowed the match and closed the door on Argentina.
The fourth was the final whistle. Spain players celebrated a second World Cup title, while Argentina players were left to accept the end of their title defence.
