Spain defeats Argentina in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup
Spain 1–0 Argentina
HSNet summary
Spain won its second men's FIFA World Cup title after defeating defending champion Argentina 1–0 in extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute.
The reports reviewed here agree on the result, the scorer, the venue and Spain's second world title, but emphasise different parts of the match: Spain's control of the game, Argentina's near-total lack of attacking output, Lionel Messi's likely final World Cup appearance, and the significance of Argentina finishing with ten players after Enzo Fernández was sent off.
Written by HSNet Media from the coverage listed below. We summarise and link; we do not republish other organisations’ articles.
Confirmed facts
Reported consistently across the sources below.
- Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time. 3 sources: Associated Press, FIFA (official match report), Reuters
- Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. Torres came on as a substitute. 3 sources: Associated Press, FIFA (official match report), Reuters
- The final was played at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 3 sources: Associated Press, FIFA (official match report), Reuters
- Spain won the men's World Cup for the second time. 2 sources: Associated Press, FIFA (official match report)
- Argentina finished the match with ten players after Enzo Fernández was sent off. Reuters and AP both place the dismissal late in regulation time. 2 sources: Associated Press, Reuters
Reported by some sources
Carried by part of the coverage, not all of it.
- Spain controlled most of the match and created substantially more attempts. Reuters reports Argentina had no shot in 90 minutes and no effort on or off target until the 116th minute. 1 source: Reuters
- Lionel Messi's appearance may have been his final World Cup match. Framed as a likely farewell rather than a confirmed retirement. 2 sources: Associated Press, Reuters
- Emiliano Martínez made numerous saves that kept Argentina in the match. Spain's coach is quoted saying the saves prevented an earlier win. 1 source: Reuters
Unconfirmed information
No significant factual dispute identified in the reviewed coverage.
How the reporting developed
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Full time: Spain 0 – 0 Argentina
The final goes to extra time.
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Reuters
Enzo Fernández sent off
Argentina reduced to ten players late in regulation.
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FIFA (official match report)
Ferran Torres scores for Spain (106th minute)
Substitute Torres finishes from inside the box.
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Reuters
After extra time: Spain wins 1–0
Argentina register their first effort on or off target in the 116th minute.
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Associated Press
Spain receive the World Cup trophy
Spain's second men's World Cup title.
Original source coverage (3)
Headlines belong to the organisations that wrote them. Every card links to the original article.
Spain beats Argentina 1-0 to win World Cup on Ferran Torres' goal
Emphasises Spain's second title, Torres's extra-time winner, Messi's likely farewell and tournament records.
Read at Associated Press ↗Torres puts Spain on top of the world
Official match report: result, scoring sequence and competition context.
Read at FIFA (official match report) ↗Argentina run out of late Messi miracles against Spanish machine
Emphasises Spain's tactical control, Argentina's absence of attacking opportunities and the end of their comeback run.
Read at Reuters ↗