Spain are FIFA 2026 World Cup champions for the second time in their history after edging Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, denying Lionel Messi what would have been a dream farewell to international football.
Both sides began cautiously, showing respect for each other's attacking threat. Spain created the first clear chance in the fourth minute, but Lamine Yamal's tame effort failed to trouble Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez was booked after fouling Spain captain Rodrigo Escalante before later leaving the field with a muscle injury three minutes before half-time. Coach Lionel Scaloni introduced Nicolás Otamendi as his replacement.
The two teams went into the break level at 0-0 after a largely uneventful first half that produced few clear-cut chances.
Scaloni made a change at the restart, bringing on Leandro Paredes for Nico González, but Spain started the second half brightly, with Dani Olmo forcing Martínez into action in the 46th minute.
Argentina introduced Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel in the 56th minute, while Spain responded by bringing on Mikel Merino and Nico Williams for Álex Baena and Dani Olmo.
Argentina's task became more difficult in the 93rd minute when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, reducing the defending champions to 10 men.
With neither side able to break the deadlock in regulation time, the final headed into extra time, just as the 2022 World Cup final had done in Qatar.
In the 95th minute, substitute Nico Williams thought he had given Spain the lead, but the goal was ruled out after Mikel Merino was adjudged to have fouled Otamendi during the build-up.
Spain finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute when substitute Ferran Torres reacted quickest to a rebound from a Nico Williams header and blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
That proved to be the decisive moment as La Roja held firm through the closing stages before Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić blew the final whistle after 120 minutes.
The victory secured Spain's second FIFA World Cup title, while Argentina's hopes of winning a third crown—and giving Messi a fairytale ending to his international career—came to an end.