Substitute Ferran Torres proved the hero for Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final as he scored an extra-time winner to defeat 10-man Argentina 1-0.
Torres finally found a way past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez , who had made a multitude of saves during the game, with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
Lionel Messi and his Argentina team were denied back-to-back titles – with the 39-year-old failing to overtake Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot stakes as well – as Spain’s claimed their second FIFA World Cup triumph, with their first coming in 2010.
Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was shown red for two yellow-card offences in the second half but Argentina dug deep and, despite not offering a shot in 90 minutes, managed to take the game into extra time.
The match looked to be heading towards penalties, despite the wealth of possession and chances Spain enjoyed, until substitute Torres struck in the 106th minute to send his team and their fans wild.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said: “[I feel] so much pride. Pride for this generation of footballers that have been growing with this idea, staying loyal to the idea, and doing their best.
“They are an example of a team, a group, a family, and a collective of great players that have been exceptional. I’m just so proud to have accompanied them on this journey, to have been there with them on this trajectory is an honour.
“I can’t really tell you how I feel. All I can say was it was worth it. Of course at the moment I am very emotional. I have spoken so much to the players, who said to me, ‘Boss, we’ve won it all’, and it’s marvellous.
“This generation of players is an example for Spanish sport, for the Spanish youth.
“Of course we would have liked to win the game much sooner. We tried and tried to get on the scoresheet but weren’t able to, but this is a World Cup final, even against 10 men at the end we had to suffer. But, we like to suffer… and we were prepared for everything.”
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said: “I feel sad but I am aware that we played our hearts out. I am forever thankful to these guys who have competed all the way. I have really fond memories of what they did and how difficult it is to get here.
“We need to attach a great deal of value to what we have done. We are big in victory and we must be big in defeat. Today we showed that we know how to lose. We lost the game and we accept that.
“But it doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we have done so far. I would like to tell the country that we played our hearts out.”
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