The World Cup final always brings a huge spectacle, and after an incredible tournament on the pitch with all of football’s top stars showing up in style and a feeling of a torch being passed from the older heads to the new generation. This final summarised this feeling in a nut-shell, with Yamal and Spain crowned champions as Messi and co head off disappointed but outplayed. A complete clash of styles and approaches as Spain’s approach proved much more enjoyable on the eye, and ultimately put them in complete control of the game from the outset.

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Teams

Spain: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte (Garcia 99′), Cubarsi, Porro, Ruiz (Pedri 62′), Rodri (Zubimendi 99′), Baena (Merino 75′), Olmo (Williams 75′), Yamal, Oyarzabal (Torres 62′)

Subs: Raya, Garcia, Pubill, Llorente, Grimaldo, Gavi, Pino, Iglesias, Munoz

Argentina: Martinez, Tagliafico, Martinez (Otamendi 44′), Romero (Medina 70′), Montiel (Molina 58′), Gonzalez (Paredes 46′), Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul (Simeone 70′), Alvarez (Senesi 102′), Messi

Subs: Rulli, Musso, Palacios, Lo Celso, Paz, Almada, Barco, Lopez, Martinez

Spain 1-0 Argentina

Spain were crowned World Cup champions for the second time in their history after edging Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a tense, tactical final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July 2026. For long spells it looked as though Argentina’s determined resistance, inspired by an outstanding Emiliano Martínez in goal, would take the showpiece all the way to penalties. However, Spain’s relentless pressure finally told in the 106th minute when substitute Ferran Torres fired home after excellent work from fellow substitute Nico Williams, sparking jubilant celebrations for Luis de la Fuente’s side.

Spain dominated almost every statistical category throughout the evening, controlling possession, creating the vast majority of the chances and repeatedly forcing Martínez into spectacular saves. Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Pedri dictated the tempo in midfield, while Nico Williams injected fresh energy after coming off the bench. The decisive moment arrived early in the second period of extra time when Pedro Porro’s deep delivery was nodded back across goal by Williams, allowing Torres to smash an unstoppable finish beyond Martínez from close range. It was a goal that had felt inevitable given Spain’s sustained pressure and one that finally rewarded their patient, attacking football.

Argentina, the defending champions, struggled to impose themselves offensively and rarely threatened Unai Simón’s goal. Lionel Messi, appearing in what is expected to be his final World Cup match, found little space against Spain’s disciplined defensive structure as La Albiceleste failed to register a shot on target until deep into extra time. Their frustration boiled over late in normal time when Enzo Fernández was sent off, forcing Argentina to play the closing stages with ten men, before tempers flared again after the final whistle.

When referee Slavko Vinčić brought proceedings to an end, Spain’s players collapsed to the turf in celebration after completing a magnificent tournament that saw them concede just once across eight matches. Rodri was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove, and a new generation led by Yamal, Pedri and Torres wrote their names into Spanish football history. For Argentina, it was a heartbreaking end to their reign as world champions and an emotional farewell to Messi’s remarkable World Cup career, while Spain deservedly lifted the trophy after producing one of the most complete performances of the tournament.

Talking Points

The first talking point has to be Spain’s complete control throughout this tournament, and especially in the final. Having never fallen behind in the whole competition, only conceding 1 goal and their only draw came in their opener in the shock 0-0 with Cape Verde. They have been a dominant side in possession, attack and defence. They are the ultimate all-round side and truly deserving of this trophy as a result, even if they’ve not had the big superstar name leading the way.

For Argentina, their incredible run likely comes to an end with Messi signing off with a runner-up medal. While everyone will be happy for them to have at least found one success in 2022 for the greatest player of all-time, it became a step too far as they looked to sit back, frustrate and provoke a Spain side who have been too calm and collected throughout to really worry about this. While the Messi era looks to be at an end, we also need to recognise how incredible that human being is at football, and has been for such a long period of time, that the sport won’t be the same without him at the top level.

Finally, we’re ignoring the post-match Argentina meltdown which really was disappointing to see from their players, but instead celebrating more Spain brilliance. With Rodri awarded the golden ball trophy for his truly deserving control of each and every game, Simon given the golden glove after his terrific ability to keep out almost all opposition and Cubarsi rightfully given the young player award for a brilliant tournament that moves him from being a top player to superstar status in the game.