EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey
Spain captured the 2026 FIFA World Cup title with a dramatic 1-0 win over Argentina in extra time, finally breaking through after a final that stayed scoreless through 90 minutes and into the first half of extra time. The victory sealed a landmark triumph for the European champions and ended Argentina’s bid to become the first men’s team in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups.
The match was shaped by patience, pressure and a late burst of control from Spain, which spent much of the contest on the front foot and forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into a standout performance. Martínez kept Argentina alive with a series of saves, while Spain repeatedly found space but not the finishing touch until the breakthrough in extra time.
Argentina’s resistance weakened late in regulation when Enzo Fernández was sent off after a second yellow card, leaving the defending champions to survive the final stages with 10 men. Spain then pressed hard in extra time, where Argentina continued to repel attacks until the decisive moment arrived and Spain finally converted its superiority into a trophy-winning goal.
The result completed Spain’s long run through the tournament in style, while Argentina’s campaign ended in frustration after a final defined by narrow margins, physical defending and missed chances.
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