Victory in Overtime

LIVE: Spain vs. Argentina for the World Cup title!

Captain Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy—Spain is the 2026 World Champion!(Bild: AP/Julio Cortez)

Spain has been crowned soccer world champion. On Sunday, the Spanish team won the final in East Rutherford, near New York, against Argentina 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal by “super sub” Ferran Torres (106th minute), claiming the coveted trophy for the first time since 2010 and for the second time overall. The South Americans, who were down a man in extra time, failed in their bid to defend the title, and their captain, Lionel Messi, was denied another World Cup triumph.

Messi became the first player ever to start in a World Cup final three times. In 2014, he lost 0–1 to Germany in extra time with the “Albiceleste”; in 2022, he clinched the title in a penalty shootout against France. While Argentina must continue to wait for its fourth World Cup title, Spain—which defeated Austria in the round of 32—has now gone 38 matches without a loss in open play.

The European champions’ first World Cup victory also came in a 1-0 win in extra time in the final—back then against the Netherlands.

(Bild: APA)

The match began in front of 80,663 fans with a good chance for Spain—Lamine Yamal found himself unmarked in the box, but his shot was denied by a combined effort from goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and Lisandro Martínez. Shortly afterward, at the other end of the field, Messi was played through by Julian Alvarez, but Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon, positioned well ahead of the goal, was able to clear the ball before the 39-year-old could shoot.

No highlights in the first half
What followed was tactical chess at its finest. Although Spain had a clear advantage, neither they nor Argentina took any real risks, so there were no noteworthy offensive plays. The next shot on goal didn’t come until the 39th minute, when Mikel Oyarzabal fired from distance, but Martinez was up to the task. Four minutes later, a long-range shot by Marc Cucurella sailed past the far post.

Things picked up in the second half when Madonna was wheeled into the stadium in a buggy by Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, the Muppets sang “Seven Nation Army,” Justin Bieber performed a ballad, and Shakira moved her lips and hips to the World Cup song “Dai Dai.” The break lasted a full 27 minutes; just seconds after the second half resumed, Martinez was tested by Alex Baena. 

The Spaniards now took control of the game for good. A lob by Dani Olmo caused problems for Martinez (64'), Torres headed the ball from a good position straight into the arms of the Argentine goalkeeper (67'), who also saved shots from Pedri (77') and Pau Cubarsi (78') as well as a header from Aymeric Laporte (81'). Torres also shot just wide of the near post (87'). 

(Bild: AFP/AL BELLO)

Yellow-red card: Fernández was sent off
Argentina managed to force extra time thanks to Martinez, who dove to stop a free kick by Lamine Yamal (90’+8), but at a cost: Enzo Fernandez received a yellow-red card in the 93rd minute after fouling Cubarsi. The Chelsea pro had picked up his first yellow card eleven minutes earlier for criticizing the referee.

Goalie Martinez kept Argentina in the game
Martinez also kept Argentina in the game early in extra time by stopping a header by Nico Williams (93'). Three minutes later, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic disallowed a goal by Williams due to a prior foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi. In the 103rd minute, Merino headed wide from the five-meter line.

The Argentines fought tooth and nail to avoid defeat—but in the end, to no avail. After a long cross, Williams headed the ball to Torres—in a play involving two substitutes—who finished it off to make it 1-0 for Spain. In the closing minutes, the South Americans threw everything forward once more; their best chance to equalize came from a missed shot by Giuliano Simeone (121st minute). Messi, in what may have been his final international match, was never able to make a decisive impact.

Spain – Argentina 1–0 (OT) (0–0)
East Rutherford, 80,663, Ref. Vincic (SLO)

Goal: 1 –0 (106') Torres

Spain: Simon – Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte (99. Laporte), Cucurella – Rodri (99. Zubimendi), Ruiz (62. Pedri) – Lamine Yamal, Olmo (75' Merino), Baena (75' Williams) – Oyarzabal (62' Torres)

Argentina: E. Martinez – Montiel (58. Molina), Romero (70. Medina), Li. Martinez (44' Otamendi), Tagliafico – De Paul (70' Simeone), Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, Gonzalez (46' Paredes) – Messi, Alvarez (102' Senesi)

Yellow-Red Card: E . Fernandez (90+3./criticism and foul play)

Yellow cards: none; Li. Martinez, Paredes, Romero, Simeone, Mac Allister, Scaloni (coach)