Spain's midfielder Rodri lifts the trophy with his teammates after winning the 2026 World Cup at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. AFP
Ferran Torres celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Fifa World Cup 2026 Final match against Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. AFP
Ferran Torres (7) reacts after taking a shot as Nicolas Tagliafico (3) walks past during the World Cup final match on Sunday. AP
Alex Baena controls the ball against Lionel Messi during the Fifa World Cup final on Sunday. AFP
Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage.
Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.
A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory.
Lamine Yamal (front) celebrates with Ferran Torres after he scored Spain's 1-0 goal. AFP
But the 39-year-old maestro — almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game — was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout.
The South Americans' skullduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump present the trophy to Spain's Rodri after the World Cup final match. AP
For long periods though it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough. But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck.
Spain's Lamine Yamal and Fabian Ruiz in action with Argentina's Lionel Messi on Sunday. Reuters
A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that would clinch Spain's second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph.
Earlier, a clear sign of Argentina's frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo's ankle.
Enzo Fernandez fouls Pau Cubarsi of Spain during the Fifa World Cup 2026 final match. AFP
Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card although after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarded a foul.
Spain made their presence felt moments later though, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction.
Argentina continued to test referee Vincic's patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal's calf in a clumsy challenge.
