Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Lionel Messi and Argentina’s hopes of back-to-back World Cup titles were dashed on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, as they succumbed 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 tournament final.
After their epic triumph in 2022, La Albiceleste were hoping to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win successive titles at the global tournament. However, La Roja dominated the match and deservedly won 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres.
Spain dominated most of the play through the first half and had three notable moments in attack. The first saw Lamine Yamal with a sight of goal in the fifth minute, but his effort was slightly deflected off a defender and saved by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The second saw Mikel Oyarzabal get away a snap shot from just outside the penalty area in the 39th minute, but Martinez made a relatively comfortable save low to his left, and shortly thereafter Marc Cucurella dragged a low shot wide of the mark.
Argentina mainly played on the break, but struggled to create chances for roaming forwards Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez. They also suffered a major injury blow late in the first half when Lisandro Martinez succumbed to a knock and was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi.
Spain kept up their dominance in the second half, and created a fine chance for Ferran Torres in the 67th minute, but the substitute’s header from Lamine Yamal’s cross went straight into the arms of Martinez.
Ten minutes later Pau Cubarsi had a snap shot on goal, but again Martinez was on hand to deny the team in red and navy.
In injury time at the end of the 90, Enzo Fernandez picked up a second yellow card – for a challenge on Cubarsi – which saw him sent off and Argentina reduced to 10 men.
Spain then had a final chance to avoid extra time when Yamal shot on target from a free kick, but Martinez made a sharp save to his left to send the match to an extra 30 minutes.
La Albiceleste’s goalkeeper made his best save yet early in extra time when he turned away a glancing header from Nico Williams, and a few minutes later the same player had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal based on a tenuous foul in the build-up.
La Roja also missed a glaring chance when Mikel Merino met a cross from the left flank, but put his glancing header wide of the far post in the 103rd minute.
However, Spain’s pressure finally paid off within the opening minute of the second half of extra time: Pedro Porro’s lofted cross from the right was headed back into the danger area by Williams, and Torres crashed home a left-footed volley for 1-0.
Argentina finally began to offer an attacking threat after going behind, with their closest attempt coming in the final minute of the extra 30 when a low cross from Messi was heroically turned away from the goal mouth.
The final whistle saw Spain embark on a joyous celebration, having clinched a second World Cup title and written themselves into football history.
Spain (0) (0) 1 (F. Torres 106’)
Argentina 0
After extra time
Spain: U. Simon, P. Porro, P. Cubarsi, A. Laporte (E. Garcia 99’), M. Cucurella, Rodri (M. Zubimendi 99’), F. Ruiz (Pedri 62’), L. Yamal, D. Olmo (M. Merino 75’), A. Baena (N. Williams 75’), M. Oyarzabal (F. Torres 62’)
Argentina: E. Martinez, G. Montiel (N. Molina 58’), C. Romero (F. Medina 70’), Li. Martinez (N. Otamendi 46’), N. Tagliafico, R. de Paul (G. Simeone 70’), A. Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, N. Gonzalez (L. Paredes 46’), L. Messi, J. Alvarez (M. Senesi 102’)
Bet on the 2026 World Cup with Betway
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the World Cup, English Premier League, the Italian Serie A, the Spanish La Liga and many more.
Join our Telegram Channel
Get way more with Betway. Enjoy the thrill of sports betting, casino games, and more. Join our community for tips, bonuses, and exciting offers. #BetwaySquad
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube. Download the Betway App.