SPAIN have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating 10-man Argentina 1-0 in a tense and dramatic final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in the United States.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the second half of extra time to shatter Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first nation since 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.
Argentina’s task became even more difficult after Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time of regulation, forcing the South Americans to play the closing stages and extra time with 10 men.
The final attracted an array of global dignitaries and royalty. The King of Spain was present to watch his country battle for football’s biggest prize, while Argentina’s president chose to maintain her long-held superstition by remaining in Buenos Aires to follow the match from afar.
Adding to the occasion, United States President Donald Trump and his wife were also in attendance, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Spain created the first meaningful chance of the contest when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal saw his deflected effort brilliantly saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. At the other end, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón produced an equally vital intervention, sprinting nearly 30 yards from his area to deny Lionel Messi a clear run on goal with a perfectly timed clearance.
La Furia Roja resumed the second half with renewed urgency and nearly broke the deadlock within two minutes of the restart after substitute Leandro Paredes lost possession deep inside Argentina’s half, only for Álex Baena to fire straight at Martínez.
The European champions continued to pile pressure on their opponents and came close on several occasions through Pedri, Dani Olmo and Pau Cubarsí, but Martínez repeatedly came to Argentina’s rescue with a string of outstanding saves.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper finished the match with an extraordinary tally of 10 saves, including a stunning stop from a last-gasp Yamal free-kick that forced the encounter into extra time.
In doing so, Martínez became the first goalkeeper in history to make 10 saves in a World Cup final.
Spain thought they had finally broken the deadlock in the first period of extra time when Nico Williams found the back of the net, but the referee ruled out the strike after adjudging that Nicolás Otamendi had been fouled in the build-up.
Substitute Mikel Merino also came agonisingly close, watching his glancing header drift inches wide of the far post.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the second half of extra time when Torres found the decisive goal to hand Spain the lead and ultimately the trophy.
Argentina, inspired by Messi, mounted a late onslaught in search of an equaliser, but Juliano Simeone blazed his effort high and wide as Spain held firm to spark wild celebrations among their players and supporters.
With the victory, Spain added the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the Euro 2024 title they won two years earlier, claiming their second World Cup trophy.
The triumph also secured a unique place in football history for the Spaniards, who became the first European nation to win consecutive European Championship and World Cup titles on two separate occasions.