Spain sweeps World Cup awards after beating Argentina in final

Spain concluded their dominant 2026 FIFA World Cup run by clinching the title with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina. Midfielder Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament, captaining Spain to their second men's World Cup trophy. The team's individual accolades were further bolstered by goalkeeper Unai Simón, who secured the Golden Glove, and defender Pau Cubarsí, named Best Young Player.

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This group is incredible. We are two-time world champions. It's a tough feat, the hardest one to achieve. And we won it against a team like Argentina.

Rodri, who also earned the Ballon d'Or in 2024, dedicated the championship to his teammates. "This group is incredible," Rodri stated. "We are two-time world champions. It's a tough feat, the hardest one to achieve. And we won it against a team like Argentina." His journey to this triumph is also a remarkable comeback story, having recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained nearly two years prior. "I'm proud and I would love for new generations to see that it is possible," Rodri reflected. "That a player who touches the sky and then plummets to hell is also capable of rising again. It is an example of overcoming adversity, and you have to believe."

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I'm proud and I would love for new generations to see that it is possible. That a player who touches the sky and then plummets to hell is also capable of rising again. It is an example of overcoming adversity, and you have to believe.

Despite not scoring, Rodri's midfield control, passing accuracy, and possession management were vital to Spain's success. He joins an elite group of players to have won the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d'Or. Spain's defensive strength was evident in Simón's Golden Glove win, achieved through a tournament-record seven clean sheets and conceding only one goal across eight matches. "The stats highlight the defensive work of the entire team. If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be consistent. We achieved this together," Simón told ESPN.

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The stats highlight the defensive work of the entire team. If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be consistent. We achieved this together.

Simón emphasized the team's ability to withstand pressure from top attacking talent, including Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Kylian Mbappé's France, and Lionel Messi's Argentina. "We played against Cristiano's Portugal, Mbappé's France, and now Messi's Argentina, facing players who can wreak havoc at any moment. We managed to keep our cool and control our emotions, and that was crucial," he said. The Best Young Player award went to 19-year-old Cubarsí, a key defender who outshone teammate Lamine Yamal. Argentina's Lionel Messi received the Silver Ball, while France's Kylian Mbappé secured the Bronze Ball.

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We played against Cristiano's Portugal, Mbappé's France, and now Messi's Argentina, facing players who can wreak havoc at any moment. We managed to keep our cool and control our emotions, and that was crucial.