An extra-time goal by Ferran Torres gave the Spaniards their second world title and the first since 2010. As for Lionel Messi, the legend failed to influence the game and bowed out of the tournament with a silver medal. But will this be his last World Cup appearance?
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
World Cup final
Spain dominated Argentina to win a one-sided World Cup final in which even Lionel Messi struggled to make an impact.
The Spanish players were crowned champions for the second time after Ferran Torres netted his first goal of the tournament in the first half of extra-time to secure a 1-0 victory.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population.
But this was by no means a classic contest. Argentina has been criticized for its physical approach to the game, which saw them fail to register a single shot on target.
The defending champions managed to hold Spain to a draw in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended with combative midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a reckless challenge in injury time.
Tempers flared after the dismissal and again at the final whistle, with players from both sides and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni involved in a heated confrontation.
In the end, Spain denied Messi a second consecutive World Cup title in what the 39-year-old has indicated will be the final World Cup appearance of his career.
Barcelona forward Torres, introduced in the second half, pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and lashed a left-footed finish beneath the crossbar in the 106th minute.
From there, Spain’s suffocating defense did what it had done all tournament. The 2010 champions conceded just once in eight matches — the fewest goals ever allowed by a World Cup-winning team.
The team is now unbeaten in 38 matches — 29 wins and nine draws — the longest unbeaten run by any European men’s national team.
For more than two years, nobody has beaten Spain. Not even Messi.
“I feel pride, to be honest,” coach Luis de la Fuente said. “To accompany these players on this journey has been an honor.”
Argentina, which had made a habit of dramatic late comebacks throughout the tournament, could not find one more.
Messi’s final opportunity came from a corner with four minutes remaining of extra time. The ball broke kindly for substitute Giuliano Simeone, whose volley flew over the crossbar as he buried his head in disbelief.
“When you have Messi on the other side, you’re always nervous,” Torres said. “But we always trusted our football, and we showed it again.”
After the post-match confrontation, Spain’s players formed a guard of honor for Argentina as the runners-up walked to collect their medals from President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
For Messi, it was likely the final chapter of a remarkable World Cup career. He retired briefly after losing the 2016 Copa America final to Chile in the same stadium before reversing his decision weeks later.
The choice transformed his legacy. He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, won Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and claimed Argentina’s player of the year award 16 times across 19 years.
His place among football’s all-time greats is beyond question. But yesterday, Spain was simply better.
Bronze medal match
Bukayo Saka scored three goals as England beat France 6-4 to finish third at the World Cup on Saturday.
It was the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary’s 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982, while the 10 goals were the most ever in a third-place playoff.
Saka struck in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time before completing his second England hat trick with an 87th-minute penalty. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also scored as England raced to a 4-0 halftime lead before surviving a frantic second half to secure the nation’s best World Cup finish since winning the title in 1966.
Jude Bellingham sealed the victory in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time with his seventh goal of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice to take his World Cup tally to 10 goals, earning the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer. His 22 career World Cup goals moved him one ahead of Messi.
France trailed 4-0 before Mbappé sparked a comeback attempt, flicking the ball past goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the 48th minute before adding a second with a left-footed finish from about 14 yards in the 66th.
It was the final match in charge for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after 14 years. Deschamps embraced his players and waved to the crowd as he left the pitch.
A look back
The first 48-team World Cup delivered upsets, dramatic comebacks, spectacular goals and standout performances from the game’s biggest stars.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Bigger does mean better
Expanding the tournament from 32 to 48 teams prompted fears of one-sided matches and a diluted group stage. Instead, several newcomers emerged among the competition’s biggest stories.
Cape Verde drew with Spain in its opener, reached the round of 32 and pushed Argentina to extra time before losing 3-2 in one of the tournament’s best matches. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha became an unlikely cult hero at 40, attracting millions of social media followers.
Superstar players turned on the style
The Golden Boot race became a showcase for the sport’s biggest names.
Mbappé won the Golden Boot race after netting 10 goals, taking his career World Cup tally to a record 22. Messi showed why he is an icon of the sport, scoring eight in the tournament, taking his career total to 21 overall.
England stars Harry Kane and Bellingham were also among the leading scorers, and 6-foot-5 Norwegian striker Erling Haaland introduced himself to the American public with some superb displays.
