Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic extra-time final, with Ferran Torres emerging as the hero by scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute.
The showpiece final was a tense and fiercely contested encounter, with both sides creating chances but failing to find the breakthrough during regulation time. Spain dominated possession for long spells, while Argentina relied on quick counterattacks and resolute defending to keep the European giants at bay.
The turning point came late in normal time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a red card, reducing the South American champions to 10 men. The dismissal handed Spain a significant advantage heading into extra time, and Luis de la Fuente’s side wasted little time making it count.
Just one minute into the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres delivered the moment that defined the final. The Spanish forward latched onto a well-worked attacking move before calmly finishing past the Argentine goalkeeper in the 106th minute, sending Spanish supporters into wild celebrations.
Argentina refused to surrender despite their numerical disadvantage. Lionel Scaloni’s men pushed forward in search of a dramatic equaliser, showing remarkable resilience and determination. However, Spain’s disciplined defence stood firm under relentless late pressure to preserve their slender lead until the final whistle.
The victory marks another historic milestone for La Roja, who showcased composure, tactical discipline and attacking quality throughout the tournament. Spain overcame a series of formidable opponents on their way to the final and saved one of their most resilient performances for the biggest stage.
For Ferran Torres, the winning goal capped a memorable campaign and secured his place in Spanish football history. His clinical strike proved enough to separate two of the world’s footballing powerhouses in a final that lived up to its billing.
While Argentina’s dream of lifting another World Cup trophy came to a heartbreaking end, they left the tournament with their heads held high after battling courageously, even after being reduced to 10 men.
As the final whistle sounded, Spain celebrated their return to the summit of world football, lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy after a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time triumph over Argentina, with Ferran Torres’ decisive goal sealing international football’s greatest prize.
