Spain wins 2026 World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing their second world title.
- Despite a strong performance from Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and a red card for Enzo Fernandez, Spain's Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
- Argentina failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, marking a historic low for the team in the tournament.
Spain clinched their second World Cup title on July 19, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a tense final at the MetLife Stadium. Ferran Torres's goal in the 106th minute of extra time broke the deadlock, securing the victory for Luis de la Fuente's squad.
Despite facing a hostile crowd and a resilient Argentine defense, Spain dominated possession and created numerous chances. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was a standout performer for Argentina, making at least eight saves to keep his team in the game. However, Argentina's resistance was ultimately broken after Enzo Fernandez received a red card late in the second half, reducing them to 10 men.
Spain's proactive approach was evident from the start, with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal posing threats on the right flank. While the first half ended goalless, Spain consistently tested Martinez. Argentina, conversely, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, failing to record a single shot on target throughout the entire 115 minutes of play, a first for them in the 2026 World Cup.
Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.