Spain wins the 2026 World Cup: La Roja lifts the Cup at the MetLife

Spain is world champion. La Roja defeated 1-0 the defending champion, Argentina, in the final of the 2026 World Cup played on Sunday July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey), with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106 minute of the match. extension It is the second world title for the Spanish team – the first since South Africa 2010 – and consolidates a team that arrived at the tournament as number 1 in the FIFA ranking and confirmed it on the field of play.

The goal that won a Cup

The match was dominated by Spain in statistics —20 shots to 3 by Argentina in the 90 minutes, according to CBS News—, but the network did not move in time regulatory. Argentina finished the second half with 10 players after Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card in the third minute of stoppage time, for a challenge on Pau Cubarsí.

In the second period of extra time, Torres – who had come on in the 62nd minute – took advantage of a loose ball in the area and, with his left foot, nailed it under the crossbar. It was his first goal of the tournament and the one that lifted the trophy. "It was a goal scored by 47 million people," said the forward, referring to the Spanish population, according to the CBS report.

«We are world champions. Together we got here."

A final of dominance and resistance

Emiliano Martínez was the Argentine figure: he made 12 saves, the most recorded in a World Cup final according to CBS. Among them, a direct free kick from Lamine Yamal from about 22 meters that seemed determined. Spain also generated 9 corners compared to 1 for Argentina in regulation time.

After the final whistle there was tension on the field – with images of shoving that included Leandro Paredes – but the ceremony continued. The Spanish players formed a hall of honor for the Argentine team to collect the runners-up medals before La Roja lifted the Cup before more than 80,000 spectators and a global audience in the hundreds of millions, according to Wikipedia and CBS. In Times Square, thousands of Spanish fans experienced the final on giant screens on the eve of the match, according to Associated Press images published by CBS.

Historical records and milestones

• Second World Cup in Spain after 2010; Argentina was looking for its fourth title and repeat two championships (Brazil last in 1958-62).
• 1 goal conceded in 8 games — record for fewest goals allowed by a world champion, according to CBS.
• First nation to simultaneously hold the men's and women's World Cups.
• 38 unbeaten games (29 wins, 9 draws): the longest streak of a European team, surpassing Italy's 37 (2018-2021).
• Luis de la Fuente, at 65 years old, becomes the oldest coach to win a men's World Cup.
• Ferran Torres was chosen Man of the Match by FIFA.

The road from Dallas

Spain reached the final after beating France in the semifinals (Dallas, July 14), in a cross between the first two in the FIFA ranking. Argentina, for its part, eliminated England in Atlanta. The tournament table—with 48 teams and venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico—fulfilled the script of the powers: the top four in the ranking reached the semifinals for the first time in the history of the FIFA rankings, as MARGENEZ documented in his chronicle of the top 4 in the semifinals.

The final was played at MetLife Stadium—renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament—, with a pre-ceremony that included performances by Post Malone, Robbie Williams and a halftime show with Madonna, Shakira and other artists, according to CBS. In the stands were the Spanish royal family, President Donald Trump, Gianni Infantino and figures such as Matt Damon and Mick Jagger.

Reaction in Spain and in the world

The streets of Madrid, Barcelona and dozens of cities were filled on the night of July 19. In sports media, MARCA led the day with the victory of La Roja and the decisive role of the generation that combines experience —De la Fuente, Busquets on the coaching staff—with the young talent of Yamal, Nico Williams or Pedri.

For Argentina, the defeat cuts Lionel Messi's hope of saying goodbye with a second consecutive title. The Argentine star had a clear opportunity in the final minutes, but Giuliano Simeone's shot went over the crossbar. «Not even Messi», summarizes CBS, could break the streak of a Spain that has not lost for more than two years.