The 2026 World Cup final ended well past midnight Kyiv time — and the morning digest didn't manage to cover its results. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time in their history. The detailed 2026 World Cup match schedule in Kyiv time is available in our special feature.
Torres' Extra-Time Goal — and Spain Are Champions
Neither side managed to break the deadlock during the 90 minutes of regular time. Spain dominated possession and registered 20 shots on goal compared to just 3 for Argentina, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez stopped everything that came his way — he finished the match with 11 saves, a record for men's World Cup finals. The turning point came late in the second half: Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card in the 90+3rd minute, leaving Argentina down to ten men for the entire period of extra time. Early in the second half of overtime, substitute Ferran Torres picked up the ball inside the penalty area and curled it into the top corner with his left foot — 1-0 in the 106th minute.
For Spain, this victory marked their second title after 2010. Luis de la Fuente's side set a unique record: no previous champion had ever won the tournament having conceded just one goal throughout the entire campaign. In addition, Spain went 38 consecutive matches without defeat — a run that also includes their victory at Euro 2024.
Scandal After the Final Whistle and Scaloni's Tears
Immediately after the final whistle, a brawl broke out on the pitch: according to media reports, Leandro Paredes grabbed one of the Spanish players by the throat, while Nahuel Molina also got involved in a confrontation with opponents. The incident was quickly brought under control by stewards and players from both teams. FIFA is already reviewing video footage — no official disciplinary decisions had been announced at the time of publication.
At the post-match press conference, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was unable to hold back his tears and left the room without finishing his answer. The 48-year-old's contract expires in December, and his future remains uncertain. "To continue, you need a lot of things — to recharge, to bring this group together again. It's very hard," he said through tears. Scaloni also noted that he had not yet spoken with Lionel Messi about the captain's future with the national team.
Messi — 8 Goals, But No Second Title
The 39-year-old Messi finished the tournament with 8 goals, but in the final Spain's midfield effectively cut him off from the ball. Argentina did not register a single shot in the first half or the first period of extra time. Messi's attempt to work a corner kick four minutes from the end of the match came to nothing. Argentina had been aiming to become the first team since Brazil (1958 and 1962) to win back-to-back titles — but Spain put paid to that plan. The question of whether Messi will retire from international football remains open: Scaloni confirmed that no conversation had yet taken place.
Final Records and Statistics
- 1-0 — the final score; the only goal was scored by Ferran Torres (106').
- 11 saves by Emiliano Martínez — an all-time record for men's World Cup finals.
- 6 consecutive clean sheets — a record run of shutouts for a tournament champion.
- 65 years old — the age of Luis de la Fuente, the oldest winning manager in World Cup history.
- 80,663 spectators at MetLife Stadium.
- 104 matches in 39 days — the largest World Cup in history has come to a close.
Read more about Spain's and Argentina's road to the final in the article "Press Conference of the 2026 World Cup Finalists", and about the bronze medal match between France and England (6-4) in our third-place playoff report.
See also: Groups F and E: Who Is Leading After Matchday 1 and What Is at Stake Tonight
Photo: Becky Sullivan · Editorial (source)
