Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after edging Argentina 1-0 in a tense and dramatic final, securing their second world title with a performance defined by patience, discipline and a decisive moment in extra time. After 90 minutes of relentless defending from Argentina and sustained Spanish pressure, the deadlock was finally broken when Ferran Torres found the net in the 106th minute, finishing clinically after Spain carved open the tiring Argentine back line. Argentina's hopes of forcing penalties had already been dealt a major blow when Enzo Fernández was sent off late in normal time, leaving the reigning champions to battle the remainder of the contest with ten men. Despite Lionel Messi's efforts to inspire one final comeback, Spain's defence remained resolute to preserve the slender advantage until the final whistle.

The victory capped a superb tournament for Spain, who combined defensive solidity with attacking flair throughout their march to the trophy. Led by a talented new generation featuring Lamine Yamal and supported by experienced figures across the squad, Spain controlled possession for long spells and created the better chances before finally earning their breakthrough. Argentina, seeking back-to-back World Cup triumphs, showed remarkable resilience but were unable to overcome Spain's dominance or the numerical disadvantage in extra time. As celebrations erupted, Spain added another unforgettable chapter to their footballing history, lifting the FIFA World Cup for the first time since their triumph in 2010 and ending Argentina's reign as world champions.