Spain 1-0 Argentina: Ferran Torres Wins the 2026 World Cup Final

Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute and Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium to win the 2026 World Cup, their second world title and first since 2010. The final was scoreless through 90 minutes, a war of possession that Spain eventually strangled into submission, and it ended Lionel Messi's last World Cup without the send-off Argentina wanted.

Spain finish the tournament having conceded a single goal across eight matches, with seven clean sheets, and they extended a national-team unbeaten run that is now the longest in men's international history. Argentina, the defending champions, stay on three World Cup titles and go home as runners-up.

How the Final Was Won

For 90 minutes this was a chess match, not a shootout. Spain controlled the ball, kept Messi pinned deep, and refused to let Argentina build anything through the middle. Neither side could break the other before the whistle, and for the second straight tournament the final could not be settled inside 90 minutes.

The breakthrough came early in the second period of extra time. Torres, a 62nd-minute substitute for Mikel Oyarzabal, arrived at the back post to finish from close range in the 106th minute. It was the only goal Spain needed. Luis de la Fuente, 65, became the oldest coach ever to win a men's World Cup, and he was direct afterward about the plan that beat Messi.

"We managed to keep him away with ball possession. We did very well indeed, the work of the team was sublime."

Argentina's night got worse before the final whistle. Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless foul on teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, leaving Argentina a man down for the closing stages. After the whistle, Leandro Paredes was also shown red in a scuffle near Spain's box.

The Numbers Behind Spain's Title

Spain's tournament defense was historic. One goal conceded in eight games, seven clean sheets, and goalkeeper Unai Simon collected the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the competition. Midfielder Rodri took the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, edging Messi, and Cubarsi was named Best Young Player ahead of Lamine Yamal.

The win also carried a record. Spain are now unbeaten in 38 consecutive matches, the longest unbeaten streak by any men's national team, passing the 37 set by Italy between 2018 and 2021. Rodri put the achievement plainly.

"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."

Betting Impact: The Under Cashed and the Golden Boot Locked

The market read this final correctly. DraftKings opened the match with the total at 2.5 goals and the under favored at -135, alongside a regulation three-way of Spain +115, Argentina +285 and the draw +200 (DK Network, published July 15). Through 90 minutes it was 0-0, so the regulation moneyline settled on the draw and the regulation under 2.5 cashed comfortably. Spain's title arrived only in extra time, where Torres' goal decided the trophy without ever threatening a total built for regulation.

The result also settled the Golden Boot, and not in Messi's favor. Kylian Mbappe finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, locked once France's third-place match ended Saturday, and Messi needed a monster final to catch him. He did not score. Mbappe takes the Golden Boot for the second time, adding to his 2022 award, and now stands as the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 22. Messi ends the tournament second on eight goals, with Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland on seven and Harry Kane on six.

For anyone still holding Argentina lift-the-trophy or Messi Golden Boot tickets, this was the worst-case close: a low event total, a one-goal game, and the individual race decided by a player who was already eliminated.

Messi's Last World Cup

At 39, Messi played what is widely described as his final World Cup match, and Argentina framed the tournament as "The Last Tango" from the start. Scaloni, fighting emotion afterward, left his own future open and delivered a verdict on his captain.

"He's 39 years old, it's unbelievable. It was crystal clear he was going to play until he decided not to. All of our people support him and I hope everyone is proud of what he's achieved because he's the best player to ever stand on a pitch."

Argentina's football federation posted a tribute that captured the mood on the losing side.

"Your tears are our tears, Captain. You gave us the greatest joys of our lives. Thank you for the dedication, for the magic, and for giving it your all until the very last second."

What to Watch Next

The 2026 World Cup is over, and attention turns to what each side becomes without its defining figures. Watch whether Scaloni stays on with Argentina after leaving the door open, and whether Messi's international career formally closes here. For Spain, the question is how a young core built around Yamal, Cubarsi and Pedri backs up a title with a European Championship cycle already underway. This group is 38 unbeaten and just added a star to the shirt.

Chad AI tracks every World Cup result, Golden Boot swing and futures move inside the StatSniper app. The soccer predictions hub has the model's read on the next international window, and the Chad picks hub covers the rest of the board. For the buildup, see our Spain vs Argentina final preview. Full match details are at ESPN.

FAQ

Who won the 2026 World Cup? Spain won the 2026 World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium. It is Spain's second World Cup title and their first since 2010.

Who scored in the 2026 World Cup final? Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute, early in the second period of extra time. He had come on as a substitute in the 62nd minute.

Did Messi win the Golden Boot? No. Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, his second Golden Boot after 2022. Messi finished second on eight goals and did not score in the final.

How many World Cups has Spain won? Two. Spain also won in 2010. The 2026 title extended Spain to 38 matches unbeaten, the longest unbeaten run by any men's national team.

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