Spain became champion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
They won 1-0 against Argentina in extra time, after drawing without goals in the 90 minutes.
“La Roja”‘s goal was the work of striker Ferran Torres at 106’ of extra time, with a good left foot after a header from Niko Williams.
The “Albiceleste” ended up playing with ten men due to the expulsion of midfielder Enzo Fernández (93′) for a double yellow card.
Thus Spain wins its second world title.
A well-deserved conquest showing good football, touch, solidity, efficiency and authority.
Congratulations Spanish friends!
«La Roja» great champion of the #FIFAWorldCup 2026 organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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The Preview: Argentina vs. Spain, for the title and glory of the 2026 World Cup
For the title and the glory. Spain and Argentina cross their destiny this Sunday, July 19 (3 pm ET), at the Metlife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, in search of a world crown that consecrates “La Roja”, and with it Lamine Yamal, or bids farewell with the highest honors to Leo Messi, who will play his last game in the FIFA World Cup.
There is no better match possible than this grand final of the World Cup 2026 between the current world and American champion against the European champion.
Two football powers that have been growing throughout the tournament to reach the final full of confidence. Spain, after a collective exhibition against France. Argentina in full ecstasy of comebacks, culminated with a new miracle and this time against England.
The “Albiceleste” has had to make real balance to keep the crown on the head of ‘King Leo’. Because that has been the true motivation of this group, to take their captain to the title match, which should definitely establish him as the best in history.
Spain, which has had to change the script with which it won the Euro Cup, has opted for control in the face of vertigo. Without the dazzling play of wingers, neither Lamine Yamal nor Pedri in their best moment, Luis de la Fuente bet on the collective and has obtained the greatest possible reward.
With difficult decisions included, such as putting Pedri on the bench, De la Fuente has built a collective work, again with an imperial Rodrigo Hernández, that resembles that of Vicente del Bosque in South Africa.
That year 2010, the Ballon d’Or vote punished the association game of “La Roja.” It was very difficult to choose between Xavi Hernández or Andrés Iniesta… so Messi took it.
And sixteen years later, number 10 is still there, not only surviving, but as a clear candidate for Best Player of the tournament. With no possible rational explanation, Messi is no longer understood only because of his immense talent, it is a matter of love for the game, which has led him to rebel every time his team was on the brink of the precipice.
And after Messi, a group of grateful players, who have taken turns becoming occasional heroes – Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández, Julián Alvarez, Lautaro Martínez…
It is the dying Argentina that has connected with its fans like no other. For this reason, he does not stop encouraging the stands when the ‘Scaloneta’ is at a disadvantage, but rather he increases the decibels and prepares for the epic.
It is also a bench duel between two normal guys, friends, who feel mutual respect and admiration for the rival’s work. De la Fuente was Scaloni’s teacher and his student can become – if he does not remedy it – one of the best in history, the only one along with the Italian Vitorio Pozzo (1934-38) to win two consecutive world titles.
The final awaits Lamine Yamal, as throughout the World Cup, with doubts raised by his physical condition after the muscle discomfort – a ‘sandwich’ – he suffered against France.
However, a spark is enough to light the flame in a player who has also become one of the favorites in the United States, where he is already a celebrity.
The baby whom Messi bathed for a solidarity poster, almost 19 years ago, now aspires to occupy the throne that the Argentine will leave vacant.
With Lamine and Pedro Porro recovered, this one with an overload, De la Fuente could repeat the eleven of the last two games, again with Pedri on the bench, while Scaloni could bring on Gonzalo Montiel on the right side, instead of Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo de Paul, for Leandro Paredes and reinforce the midfield with Nicolás González (or Giuliano Simeone).
The best attack (Argentina) against the best defense (Spain), the world champion against the European champion, together with the ‘City that never sleeps’, both watch weapons and dream of a new star.
Probable lineups
– Spain: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodrigo Hernández, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena.
– Selector: Luis de la Fuente.
– Argentina: Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Enzo Fernández, Alexis McAllister, Rodrigo de Paul, Giuliano Simeone (Nico González); Leo Messi, Julián Álvarez.
– Selector: Lionel Scaloni.
– Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
– Stadium: Metlife Satdium of East Rutherford, NJ.
– Hour: 3 pm ET.
(With a report from Óscar González, from EFE)
Only one match left… 🗓️#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Nd0FOUXt4G
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) July 19, 2026
