EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ferran Torres found the back of the net early in the second half of extra time, clinching Spain‘s second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on Sunday.
The Barcelona forward calmly side-footed the ball home after Nico Williams‘s header deflected to him following a cross from Pedro Porro. Prior to the goal, Spain had dominated play, controlling possession and forcing multiple crucial saves from Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, including a stunning save from a Williams shot at the beginning of extra time.
The match unfolded as anticipated, with Spain enjoying more possession while Argentina held back, looking for opportunities to feed Lionel Messi. Accommodating the 39-year-old’s playing style had served Argentina well throughout the tournament, but Spain’s superior fitness and technical skills proved pivotal. Remarkably, Argentina’s first shot didn’t come until the 115th minute, marking a historic lack of activity for a World Cup final.
The match was gritty and physical, with referee Slavko Vincic allowing play to continue until Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsí during injury time.
– VAR Review: Did Enzo Fernández deserve the red card?
– Ratings: Messi rated 3/10 in a disappointing final
– World Cup 2026 full results and coverage
This World Cup marked Messi’s last, and though he finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, Argentina’s final match saw them unable to convert any chances. This was the third time Argentina reached the final in four World Cups, having lost to Germany in 2014 and defeated France in 2022.
On the other hand, Spain, already crowned European champions, capped off a remarkable tournament by conceding just one goal throughout eight matches, coming from Belgium in the quarterfinals. Coach Luis de la Fuente faced scrutiny for some of his selections, including placing Pedri on the bench, but ultimately his choices were justified. — Gab Marcotti
Spain’s Persistence Pays Off
While the match was difficult to watch at times and arguably one of the dullest World Cup finals in memory, Spain’s determination led them to victory against Argentina through resilience and confidence in their skill set.
Spain’s strategy of maintaining possession contrasted sharply with Argentina’s attempts to disrupt play. The European champions stayed composed under pressure, allowing Torres to score the decisive goal late in the extra time.
By the final whistle, Spain had unleashed 20 shots compared to Argentina’s two, with 12 on target, illustrating the contrasting effectiveness of the teams. Although Spain may lack the explosive flair of teams like France or Argentina, their ability to control the game’s tempo proved instrumental in their lengthy unbeaten streak of 38 matches. — Mark Ogden
Argentina’s Final Missteps
Going 117 minutes without attempting a single shot is indicative of a major issue for Argentina on Sunday. The match ended with zero attempts on target, an unprecedented occurrence for a World Cup final.
This struggle continued into injury time, exacerbated by Fernández’s dismissal, leaving Argentina with ten players. Their attacking deficiencies were largely due to Spain’s exceptional defensive game, conceding only one goal in eight games, as their possession and pressing reduced Argentina’s opportunities to shoot.
However, a key part of the problem stemmed from the tactical approach manager Lionel Scaloni adopted for this World Cup.
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Burley expresses disgust over Argentina’s World Cup final performance
Scaloni structured the team around Messi, acknowledging that the 39-year-old couldn’t contribute as much off the ball anymore. Therefore, he opted for a compact formation designed to maintain density when possession was lost. He prioritized trusted players, such as Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Leandro Paredes, who, while tough in defense, lacked the dynamism needed for an explosive attack.
Playing with one striker, Scaloni faced the challenge of relying either on Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez in every match, leading to a one-dimensional offensive strategy that ultimately stifled their most talented players, such as Nico Paz.
The strategy proved effective, with help from a bit of luck and Messi’s contributions, until it failed in the final match, where the absence of an alternative approach became evident. As frustration mounted for Argentina, they resorted to physical play, wasting several talented players on the bench. — Marcotti
Martínez: The Bright Spot for Argentina
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez stood out as Argentina’s lone bright spot during the final, even amid a disappointing team performance.
Martínez’s performance escalated as the match progressed, recording a remarkable 11 saves over the course of the 120 minutes, matching the second-highest for a World Cup knockout match in six decades.
He achieved this while battling a right-hand injury, specifically a fracture in his ring finger sustained before the tournament during warm-ups for the Europa League final. Despite the discomfort, Martínez was determined to fulfill his role as Argentina’s goalkeeper, affecting the game’s outcome significantly. — Lizzy Becherano
Messi’s Quiet Exit
The fairytale came to an end, revealing the harsh truth that at 39, Messi couldn’t continue to bear the weight of his nation’s hopes. Despite a stellar tournament, Spain ultimately proved too strong, leaving behind stark statistics: one shot (blocked), no touches in the opponent’s box, two dispossessions, and four fouls committed against him during the match.
As the clock wound down, fans held onto prayers that Messi would find a way to turn the game, given his previous performances this tournament. However, the situation became increasingly untenable after Fernández’s dismissal in the third minute of stoppage time, leading Messi to play as a lone forward in a 4-4-1 formation, leaving little room for offensive movements.
It’s poignant to think that it was here, after a loss in the 2016 Copa America final in this same stadium, that Messi had announced his retirement from international play due to frustrations with the Argentina Football Association’s management. He returned to the international stage to lead Argentina to a World Cup title, two Copa America victories, and the 2022 Finalissima, all following his 34th birthday.
Even though his exit from this tournament was underwhelming, Messi’s legacy, built over more than 1,100 matches for club and country, remains influential. — Marcotti
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Celebrations erupt in Spain as Ferran Torres scores the opener in the World Cup final.
Halftime Show Exceeds Expectations
FIFA was hesitant to reveal details about the halftime show in advance, particularly the length of the player break during the intermission. Ultimately, the entertainment segment exceeded expectations, with a total duration of 27 minutes and 20 seconds from the halftime whistle to the beginning of the second half. FIFA regulations dictate that halftime should last no longer than 15 minutes, but it was clear these rules would be overlooked.
What was initially estimated as an 11-minute performance turned into a lengthy delay that frustrated fans and players alike. The extended break interrupted any momentum the match had, contributing to the overall lack of intensity that characterized the game. Hydration breaks during each half further disrupted the flow of play.
There are hopes that this extended halftime show will be a one-time event, but with Gianni Infantino in charge of FIFA, the future may hold even more gimmicks. — Ogden