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Informist, Monday, Jul. 20, 2026

MUMBAI - Spain became the first team in the 21st century to win a second FIFA World Cup when they overcame dogged resistance from 2022 champions Argentina to win the final of the 2026 edition at the New York New Jersey Stadium Sunday afternoon local time.

Substitute striker Ferran Torres fired a left-footed shot into the top of Emiliano Martinez's net after fellow substitute Nico Williams, Jr., headed back into the box a cross from right fullback Pedro Porro that was going over the goal line.

Torres's strike, which finally broke the deadlock in the first minute of the final half of extra time, ensured that Argentina, led by 39-year-old Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the best footballers ever, would not win back-to-back World Cups. Only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 have scaled that peak.

Spain, led by midfield general Rodrigo and coached by veteran Luis de la Fuente, matched the performance of the side captained by shot stopper Iker Casillas, which won the first World Cup held on African soil in 2010. On both occasions, Spain were champions of Europe and went on to win the World Cup.

Many of the members of the 2010 World Cup-winning side, including Casillas, were in the stands to witness history being repeated. Also watching his first game of the tournament was US President Donald J. Trump, with Federation Internationale de Football Association President Gianni Infantino. Trump later handed over the World Cup to the victorious team.

For Argentina, it may well be the end of an era with a tearful Messi, who became the first man to captain his team in three successive World Cup finals, expected to call time on his international playing career.

From the start, it appeared that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni's plan was to defend dourly and take the game into a penalty shootout, where the team's maverick keeper could repeat his performance against France in Qatar four years ago. Despite the presence of Messi and striker Julian Alvarez, who was replaced by a central defender towards the end of the first half of extra time, the side could not muster a single shot on the Spanish goal until the final 10 minutes of the match when they went forward in desperate search of an equaliser.

While the Spanish defence, including Young Player of the Tournament Pau Cubarsi, could take some of the credit for that, they were helped by Argentina's steadfast refusal to commit themselves to attack. Argentina's cause, already looking difficult against a well-oiled Spanish team that enjoyed almost two-thirds of possession, wasn't helped by central midfielder Enzo Fernandez picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Cubarsi in stoppage time after 90 minutes, reducing Argentina to 10 men.

Spain, by contrast, had 20 shots on the Argentinian goal by the end of regulation time, though their finishing left a lot to be desired. Their best attempt in regulation time came at the very end of stoppage time when Martinez had to react quickly to punch away a free kick from teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana that was heading into the top left corner. Spain's 'keeper, Unai Simon, won the golden glove. The side let in a solitary goal through the entire tournament, in the quarter-final against Belgium.  End

Reported by Rajeev Pai

Edited by Avishek Dutta

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