Full Time: Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time). Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the World Cup 2026 final in the 106th minute, finishing from close range after Nico Williams headed a cross back across goal, as Spain beat 10-man Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026, to win their second World Cup title after 2010.
The Result
Neither side found the breakthrough in a tense, low-shot first 90 minutes, with Argentina set up to slow the game down and Spain's midfield trio of Rodri, Olmo and Fabian Ruiz controlling possession without carving open a clear chance. Argentina's task got harder late in regulation when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card and sent off, leaving Argentina to play all of extra time with 10 men. Spain made the numerical advantage count in the second period of extra time: Nico Williams headed a cross back across the face of goal in the 106th minute, and Ferran Torres arrived to finish from close range for the winner. Argentina pushed for an equalizer late on -- a second Torres effort was ruled out for offside -- but Spain held on through stoppage time to seal the title.
What It Means
Spain complete the tournament unbeaten, adding a second star to the one they won in 2010, with 19-year-old Lamine Yamal a constant attacking threat across the knockout rounds and again in the final. For Argentina and Lionel Messi, it's a heartbreaking end: Messi had said before the tournament this would be his last World Cup, and a third final appearance in four tournaments ends without the second title that would have sat alongside 2022. Argentina reached the final via dramatic late wins over Switzerland and England, but came up short against a Spain side that didn't concede in normal time all tournament.
The Numbers
- Final: Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time) -- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 19, 2026.
- Scorer: Ferran Torres, 106' (assist: Nico Williams).
- Red card: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina), two yellow cards, late in regulation.
- Spain finish the tournament unbeaten across seven matches. It's their second World Cup title after 2010.
- England beat France 6-4 in the July 18 third-place play-off in Miami -- see our full recap.
- For the complete bracket and every result from the tournament, see our match hub.