FIFA World Cup 2026: Torres puts Spain top of the world

Spain have become world champions for the second time in their history, Luis de la Fuente’s men beating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ final in New York New Jersey.

Although Spain dominated the game from start to finish, they had to wait until the 106th minute to finally find a way past Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentina goalkeeper made a series of saves to thwart La Roja but had no chance when Nico Williams nodded down a Pedro Porro cross at the far post and Ferran Torres buried a first-time shot into the roof of the net.

Defending champions Argentina had lost Enzo Fernandez to a second yellow card at the end of normal time yet they battled to the end. However, Spain, as when winning the 2010 final, found the answer in extra time.

This was a head-to-head worthy of the World Cup final, bringing together the champions of Europe and South America, the top two sides in FIFA’s world ranking, each of them unbeaten on the road to the final.

What followed was a first half controlled by Spain, who produced the first notable attempt through Lamine Yamal after five minutes. Dani Olmo worked the ball to the teenager in space on the right side of the box and he shot low but Martinez got down to block at the near post.

If Spain were in control, it was cagey stuff with La Roja struggling to find gaps in a deep, determined Argentina defence. With half-time approaching, openings did appear with Mikel Oyarzabal driving a shot at Martinez and Marc Cucurella dragging an effort wide.

For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, the challenge increased with injuries to both of his starting centre-backs as the final progressed, with Lisandro Martinez making way for Nicolas Otamendi just before the break and Facundo Medina replacing Cristian Romero after 70 minutes.

By that point, Spain were still the side asking all the questions. Yamal created an excellent opportunity for Torres after 67 minutes but he headed too close to Martinez.

Pau Cubarsi and substitutes Pedri and WIlliams all drew saves from the Argentina custodian as the pressure continued, culminating in the goalkeeper’s flying save from Yamal’s free-kick at the very end of normal time.

Argentina had hit 19 goals on their way to the final yet Spain’s control was such that La Albiceleste did not manage a single attempt until extra time, with Lionel Messi starved of the opportunity to conjure any of the magic seen from him in previous rounds.

Their task became even greater when Fernandez was sent off following a challenge on Cubarsi three minutes into second-half added time.

Extra time brought more of the same. Martinez kept out a Williams header and Merino put another wide. Both Williams and Torres had goals disallowed. In between, though, Torres produced the defining moment to put Spain back on top of the world. (FIFA)