EAST RUTHERFORD, JUL 20 (AGENCIES): Spain captured its second FIFA World Cup title Sunday, defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium.
Ferran Torres scored the match’s only goal in the 106th minute, finishing from close range after Nico Williams headed a cross back into the middle. The goal ended a dominant performance by Spain, which controlled possession and outshot Argentina 20-2.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez kept Argentina in the match with a World Cup final-record 11 saves, but Spain’s relentless pressure finally paid off in extra time.
Argentina struggled to generate offense throughout the match. Lionel Messi, playing what could be his final World Cup match, was largely neutralized as La Albiceleste failed to register a shot on goal.
The defending champions faced an even tougher challenge after midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off in second-half stoppage time following his second yellow card, forcing Argentina to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Spain extended its unbeaten streak to 38 matches and won its first World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2010. The victory adds to the nation’s 2024 European Championship title.
This title, combined with the Women’s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.
Argentina was seeking to become the first team to repeat as World Cup champion since Brazil in 1962, but fell short in its seventh World Cup final appearance. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, concluded after five weeks of competition across North America.
The next men’s FIFA World Cup will take place in 2030, hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special centenary opening matches held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
(Read more on p-12)
