Sixteen years after South Africa, in exactly the same way, Spain was crowned World Champion for the second time in its history. In 2010, it was Andrés Iniesta in the final against the Netherlands who had saved «La Roja» in the 116th minute of extra time; but in the early hours of July 20, 2026, Ferran Torres took up the torch in the 106th minute of extra time (0–0 in regulation) to send Luis de la Fuente’s team to the top of the world with a 1–0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Enzo Fernández’s ejection in stoppage time of the final played a decisive role in its outcome. Argentina, which was constantly sitting back in defense—especially in the second half — with zero shots on goal, clearly aimed to take the match into extra time and then to a penalty shootout. Scaloni’s team did not succeed and, ultimately, failed to win back-to-back titles, following their 2022 victory and the trophy they won in Qatar in a penalty shootout against France.
Lionel Messi thus brings his career with the national team to a close, having won the coveted trophy four years ago and finishing the tournament as the second-leading scorer with 8 goals, behind Kylian Mbappé, who scored 10.
The first 45 minutes of the final were lackluster in terms of quality, with Spain trying harder to attack and Argentina, constantly on the defensive, looking to counterattack. Both teams, however, generally avoided taking risks, focusing instead on covering their backs.
There were two good chances during this stretch, both for «Rocha.» In the opening minutes, Yamal found himself in a shooting position against Martínez, but his finish was poor. In the 38th minute, Oyarzabal’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by E. Martínez.
«Roca,» just as in the first half, was the team that tried to build its attacks more methodically and find openings to score in the second half as well, but that proved impossible. The Argentine defense, whether easily or with difficulty, closed off all the gaps and kept a clean sheet. Offensively, the «Albiceleste» was completely… lackluster!
In the 64th minute, Martínez made a very difficult save to deflect Olmo’s shot into a corner, at a time when Spain was ramping up the pressure, and three minutes later, the Argentine goalkeeper blocked Torres’s close-range header. Once again, Martínez was in the right place in the 77th minute to stop Kubarshi’s volley.
The final heated up in the 90’+3 when Vincic showed Enzo Fernández a second yellow card for a foul on Laporte. The Argentines protested vehemently to the Slovenian referee—not over whether it was a foul, but over the card given to the Chelsea star. VAR agreed with the referee’s call, and so Argentina entered extra time a man down.
Although the second half was an offensive one-sided affair dominated by the Spanish, Emiliano Martínez proved to be the «guardian angel» of the Argentine goal and, on at least five occasions, prevented the Spaniards from taking the lead. Even in the 90’+7, he was there to deflect Yamal’s direct free kick into a corner, and immediately afterward, Vinsic blew the final whistle…
The Extra Half-Hour
A play that’s sure to be talked about took place in the 97th minute. Niko Williams sent the ball into the net with a shot, but seconds earlier the Slovenian referee had called an offensive foul by Merino on Otamendi, which didn’t appear to be the case in any of the replays shown on TV. The goal, however, didn’t count…
Spain missed a huge opportunity in the 103rd minute when Merino was unable to connect with a header from close range following a cross by Niko Williams.
Football… justice was served at the start of the second half of extra time. Nico Williams headed the ball to Ferran Torres, and the Barcelona striker, in the 106th minute, beat Martínez (1-0), who this time was completely helpless.
The Barcelona striker scored a second goal in the 115th minute, but it didn't count because he had started from an offside position.
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Yellow cards: L. Martínez, Paredes, Fernández, Romero
Red cards: 90’+3 Fernández (second yellow), 120’+6 Paredes (sent directly to the bench)
The lineups for the two teams:
SPAIN (Luis de la Fuente): Simón, Porro, Kubarshi, Laporte (99′ Eric García), Cucurella, Rodri (99′ Zubimendi), Ruiz (62′ Pedri), Baena (75′ N. Williams), Olmo (75′ Merino), Yamal, Oyarzabal (62′ Ferran Torres).
ARGENTINA (Lionel Scaloni): E. Martínez, Montiel (58′ Molina), Romero (70′ Medina), L. Martínez (44′ Otamendi, sub.), Tagliafico, De Paul (70′ Simeone), Fernández, McAllister, N. González (46′ Paredes), Álvarez (102′ Senesi), Messi.
THEMIS TOGIAS
