By Daniel Feuerstein | East Rutherford, NJ | July 19th, 2026
The final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with a statistically dominant performance, but not on the scoresheet, as Spain took advantage of Argentina in possession, shots, and shots on goal. But it was a stingy defense and great goalkeeping that kept the match scoreless in regulation until the final 15 minutes of extra time. Those opening moments of the second half of extra time saw Spain finally take advantage, and they took their second World Cup Championship as they dethroned the defending Champions by the final score of one goal to nil.
Ferran Torres scores the winner
After 105 minutes were played, many were hoping that one of these two teams would get the winning goal and be the last team standing to hoist that little golden trophy over their heads on the podium at MetLife Stadium. The magic moment did finally happen when Spain got possession of the ball and delivered a long looping cross toward the Argentina net, trying to create the moment for a possible goal. Nico Williams was tracking the ball, and when it came towards him, Williams headed the ball back out to the top of the area. Making the run was Ferran Torres, as he was trailing the play. When he got to his spot, took the shot one time and smashed it just under the crossbar in the 106th minute, and the celebrations were on.
Spain showed how strong they were
The match began fast and furious as both sides were exchanging attacking runs, but throughout the final, it was Spain that showed their dominance on the pitch. Both on offense and defense. Spain looked dangerous every time they put themselves into position to get the shots off; they threatened when they had possession of the ball. When Spain was attacking, you had the feeling they would find a way to get that ball in the net and take advantage. On defense, they were stout and never allowed Argentina anywhere near their area, helping Unai Simon from facing any dangerous moments that could’ve threatened their attempt at a clean sheet. This win was the seventh clean sheet out of eight matches in this World Cup to win the title.
Argentina held on for the fight of their lives
While Argentina was trying to battle and get chances, their defense was holding on to keep them in this final. Their most important player, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, made 11 saves to keep his side in the match both in regulation and extra time. When it looked like Spain was going to score, it was Martinez who came up big with those saves to keep his side in it. Especially in the second half, when Lamine Yamal had a free-kick chance to get the first goal of the match, Martinez made the big dive to his left and grabbed the ball to keep the match scoreless. When you were expecting Lionel Messi to do something magical on the offensive end, it was Martinez making the defensive magic in his net.
Enzo Fernandez double-yellowed and done
Seeing Spain score their goal was a thing of beauty, but the main reason they were able to score that game-winner was the actions of Argentina’s midfielder Enzo Fernandez. For the majority of the match, Fernandez was doing a good job trying to create offense while coming back to help out on defense. Yet he allowed his emotions to get the best of him when he argued with the referee for a foul that he felt should’ve been given for the Spanish defender, was issued his first yellow card of the match in the 82nd minute. The match continued into second half stoppage time.
The fourth official posted four minutes of second half stoppage time on his board. Spain won the ball back after Argentina was stopped from an attacking run, coming in hot was Fernandez as he went full speed ahead and hit his man so hard, Martinez flipped him up in the air and landed very hard. Referee Slavko Vincic blew his whistle, pulled out the yellow card for the second time on Fernandez and then showed him the red card and sent him off in the third minute of four in second half stoppage time, putting Argentina down to ten men.
Spain was the better team
What you saw from Spain was a team. A team that knew how to play for each other, with no egos and no agenda. No one was looking for the spotlight, they all were a well cohesive unit that got the game plan and went to work. That’s why they were able to to play with ease and comfort. For Argentina, the clock struck midnight and their carriage turned back into a pumpkin. All they did was ride the goat in Lionel Messi and their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to keep them in the matches and push forward. At the very end they ran out of gas and going down to ten men within the last eight plus minutes iin regulation and extra time didn’t help them either.
The ultimate road block won the title. They dismantled France and they showed their strength against Argentina. Now for the next World Cup, they enter that edition as the defending champions as they have already qualified as a host nation along with Portugal and Morocco. The biggest question that will be on everyone’s minds is, can Spain repeat as World Cup Champions for the first time since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962 when the great Pele was on the National Team. We have four years to wait and see what happens during that time, but for now, Spain are a two time World Cup Champion and they are celebrating on the streets of Madrid.
Spain defeats Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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