Spain dethrones Argentina and claims World Cup title on Torres’ winning strike

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 20, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: FIFA)

NEW JERSEY – Spain claimed the World Cup title with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champion Argentina, securing the trophy thanks to a late goal by substitute Ferran Torres.

The match was defined by a stifling Spanish defense that held Lionel Messi, 39, to a spectator role for most of the game, resulting in Argentina failing to register a single shot in regulation—a World Cup final first.

Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón recorded his seventh clean sheet of the tournament without facing a single shot, while Argentine keeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves despite playing with a fractured finger.

The deadlock was broken seconds into the second period of extra time when Torres volleyed home a cross from Nico Williams, a goal that capped Spain’s unbeaten 38-game run and marked their second World Cup title.

Argentina’s defeat was compounded by the second-yellow-card expulsion of Enzo Fernández which forced them to finish the game shorthanded.

While Messi finished as the tournament’s all-time leader in games, assists, and goal contributions, his farewell ended in tears as he accepted a silver medal and a handshake from the U.S. President Donald Trump, who was booed by the crowd during the ceremony.