Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's final, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure the country's second world title and its first since 2010.
Torres capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area early in the second period of extra time, firing a left-footed shot beneath the crossbar beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez after Spain had dominated much of the contest without finding a breakthrough in regulation.
Luis de la Fuente's side controlled possession throughout the match and created the overwhelming majority of scoring opportunities. Spain registered 15 shots during the 90 minutes of regulation while Argentina failed to produce a single attempt on goal, yet Lionel Scaloni's side managed to force extra time thanks largely to a resilient defensive display and a series of crucial saves from Martínez.
Argentina's hopes suffered a major setback in second-half stoppage time when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving the reigning champions to play the remainder of the final with ten men.
Spain nearly found the winner moments later from a free kick after Lamine Yamal curled an effort toward the far post, but Martínez produced his tenth save of the match, the highest total ever recorded by a goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup final, to keep Argentina alive before extra time.
Torres eventually broke the deadlock in the 106th minute, delivering the decisive moment that sealed Spain's triumph after more than 100 minutes of sustained pressure.
With the victory, Spain became the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men's and women's FIFA World Cup titles, adding the 2026 men's crown to the women's World Cup won in 2023.
The final concluded the largest World Cup in history, a 48-team tournament hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The expanded competition featured 104 matches and produced a record 308 goals, the highest total in the tournament's history.
The championship match at MetLife Stadium attracted a host of international celebrities, including actors Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Cillian Murphy, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Hamm, Matthew Broderick, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The sporting audience was equally star-studded, with NBA players including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, James Harden, Devin Booker, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in attendance, alongside tennis champions Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley, and football legends David Beckham, Kaká, Didier Drogba, and Zinedine Zidane.
The final also featured an elaborate entertainment program. Post Malone headlined the closing ceremony before kickoff, while FIFA staged its first-ever World Cup halftime show, featuring performances by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and other international artists.
U.S. President Donald Trump attended the final and participated in the trophy presentation ceremony following Spain's victory. Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox Sports he would not choose a favorite, while describing Argentina captain Lionel Messi as "great."
