The final matchup took place on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium
Credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Spain secured their first men’s World Cup win since 2010 with a dramatic overtime goal from Ferran Torres
- Argentina entered the match as reigning champions after their 2022 victory over France in Qatar
- Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente emphasized teamwork and legacy, calling the squad a “family” ahead of the final
It’s a victory 16 years in the making!
Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, with the men securing their first win in the tournament since 2010.
The match remained scoreless through regulation until forward Ferran Torres got past star Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in the 106th minute in overtime for a score of 1-0.
Spain dominated Argentina on Sunday afternoon with 12 shots on goal to its opponent’s zero. Spain also committed 18 fouls to Argentina’s 24.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME 🇪🇸🤯
Ferran Torres gives La Roja the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/hLso0tg3LI
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026
Argentina entered Sunday’s game as the reigning World Cup champions after defeating France in Qatar in 2022.
Spain was riding high ahead of Sunday’s match after shutting out France in a 2-0 semifinals win on Tuesday, July 14. A penalty kick from forward Mike Oyarzabal got the momentum going with 22 minutes on the clock, and a late goal from defender Pedro Porro secured a spot in the final round.
Oyarzabal entered Sunday’s match with five goals across the tournament.
19-year-old right-winger Lamine Yamal also made a splash in his World Cup debut, scoring his first-ever goal in the tournament against Saudia Arabia on June 21.
The team’s triumph also stems from the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente, who refers to the squad as a “family,” and encouraged them to embrace the team’s legacy.
“I’ll tell them that this is a unique stage, the kind of moment that may never be repeated again, and that we have to be ourselves,” de la Fuente told The Guardian before the semifinals clash against France. “We’re facing one of the best lineups in the world, but we’re the best team in the world.”
Spain previously topped the Netherlands in the 2010 final.
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