Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in an enthralling extra time final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal to crown a dominant Spanish display and end Argentina’s hopes of retaining the trophy. La Roja also extended their unbeaten run to a record 38 matches, the longest ever by a European men’s national team.
After 38 days, 103 matches and 307 goals, the tournament reached its climax with two football giants battling for the biggest prize. Spain arrived in the final after a commanding 2-0 victory over France, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro finding the net. Luis de la Fuente’s side entered the contest unbeaten in 37 matches across all competitions, while Argentina sought a fourth World Cup crown in their seventh final under Lionel Scaloni.
Spain started brightly and almost took the lead in the fifth minute. Lamine Yamal’s cross ricocheted kindly to Dani Olmo, who returned the ball to the teenage winger, but a combination of Lisandro Martinez and Emiliano Martinez denied the opening goal.
The final quickly developed into an entertaining contest. Two minutes later, Oyarzabal brilliantly flicked the ball into Pedro Porro’s path before Mac Allister brought the defender down. However, referee Slavko Vincic waved away Spain’s appeals. At the other end, Unai Simon reacted quickly to deny Lionel Messi an early chance, highlighting the attacking intent from both teams.
Messi produced another moment of quality in the 22nd minute when he released Gonzalez with a perfectly weighted pass. However, the forward’s heavy first touch allowed Spain to recover. Even at 39 years old, Messi remained Argentina’s biggest creative threat throughout the contest.
Spain continued to dictate possession and almost broke the deadlock six minutes before half time. Laporte, Rodri and Baena combined neatly before Fabian Ruiz found Oyarzabal, whose powerful first time strike forced Emiliano Martinez into an excellent low save.
Argentina survived another scare in the 43rd minute when Marc Cucurella unleashed a long range effort that drifted narrowly wide. Moments later, Lisandro Martinez signalled he could not continue after picking up an injury, forcing Nicolas Otamendi into an early appearance.
The opening half ended goalless despite Spain controlling possession. Argentina struggled to create meaningful opportunities, while Spain patiently searched for a breakthrough. During the extended half time interval, fans enjoyed the newly introduced entertainment show featuring Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS before the final resumed.
Spain nearly capitalised on a costly mistake immediately after the restart. Leandro Paredes gifted possession to Oyarzabal, who quickly released Baena, but Emiliano Martinez gathered the bouncing effort.
The pressure continued in the 55th minute as Fabian Ruiz burst forward before slipping Oyarzabal through. His cutback looked destined to create a clear chance until Otamendi produced a superb last ditch clearance.
Emiliano Martinez remained Argentina’s hero midway through the second half. Pedri found Olmo on the edge of the area, and although the midfielder struck firmly, the Argentine goalkeeper spilled the effort before recovering to prevent danger.
Spain came even closer in the 67th minute. Yamal skipped past Julian Alvarez and Mac Allister before delivering an inviting cross for Ferran Torres, whose header went straight at Martinez. Moments later, Cristian Romero suffered an injury, adding to Argentina’s growing concerns.
Argentina reached an unwanted milestone in the 72nd minute. They became the first team on record since 1966 not to register a shot during the opening 70 minutes of a World Cup final. Messi struggled to influence proceedings and had managed only 22 touches by that stage.
Spain continued to push forward. Pedri’s effort in the 77th minute rolled comfortably into Martinez’s hands after Alvarez applied pressure, while Cubarsi’s powerful long range strike soon forced another awkward save. Laporte then headed tamely at the goalkeeper from a cleverly worked corner in the 80th minute.
Torres wasted another promising opportunity in the 87th minute after Merino’s excellent pass released him behind the defence, but his instinctive finish flew into the side netting.
Argentina’s task became even harder deep into stoppage time. Enzo Fernandez received a red card in the 93rd minute after recklessly crashing into Cubarsi. Already booked earlier for simulation, the midfielder left his team to play extra time with 10 men.
Spain almost won it with the final kick of normal time after Paredes fouled Torres on the edge of the box. Porro and Yamal stood over the free kick, but Argentina survived to force extra time. It marked the fifth World Cup final in the last six editions to require an additional 30 minutes.
Spain dominated possession against the numerical disadvantage and nearly scored in the 93rd minute when Nico Williams flicked Pedri’s cross goalwards, only for Martinez to produce another excellent save.
Three minutes later, Williams thought he had finally broken the deadlock after converting a rebound from Merino’s blocked effort. However, the referee ruled the goal out for a foul by Merino on Otamendi, and VAR upheld the decision.
Merino came close again in first half stoppage time of extra time, glancing Williams’ cross inches wide as Spain continued to knock on the door.
Just 37 seconds into the second period of extra time, Spain finally found the breakthrough they deserved. Porro’s cross reached Williams at the back post, and his knockdown fell perfectly for Ferran Torres, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
Torres became only the fifth substitute to score in a World Cup final and the first since Mario Gotze’s famous winner for Germany against Argentina in 2014. He also became just the second Barcelona player to score in a World Cup final after Andres Iniesta’s unforgettable strike in 2010.
Torres thought he had sealed victory with a second goal in the 113th minute after racing through and finishing confidently past Martinez, but the offside flag correctly ruled it out.
Argentina launched one final push. Messi almost caught Unai Simon off guard with an ambitious cross that landed on the roof of the net before creating another opportunity in the closing minutes. His corner found Giuliano Simeone, whose volley flew over the crossbar with virtually the last kick of the match.
When the final whistle sounded, Spain celebrated another glorious chapter in their football history. Argentina’s players collapsed in disappointment, while Lionel Messi sat alone on the pitch reflecting on a heartbreaking defeat that may have marked his final World Cup appearance.
Spain’s triumph secured their second World Cup title and maintained their flawless record in major finals during the 21st century. They have now won all five World Cup and European Championship finals they have reached since 2000.
The victory also produced several unforgettable moments. Lamine Yamal became a World Cup winner at just 19 years old, Ferran Torres etched his name into Spanish football history with the winning goal, Dani Olmo emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest stars, and Rodri added the FIFA World Cup trophy to an already remarkable collection of honours.
