Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in overtime to win the FIFA World Cup

Spain has won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina and Lionel Messi 1-0 in extra time. The one-sided affair saw the Spanish team showcase a dominant performance from start to finish, with the Argentinian side never managing to find their footing in the match.

Coming into the game, both teams had endured an impressive seven-week World Cup journey that started all the way back on Thursday June, 11. Argentina has been one of the most talked-about teams at the tournament thanks to their status as the reigning champions and the star power of their legendary captain, Messi. Spain, on the other hand, has gone about its business relatively quietly, dispatching its competition with an imposing certainty for much of the World Cup, per ESPN.

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Spain fielded the same starting 11 that featured in each of their last three matches. However, Argentina made three changes from their semi-final match, signaling a bold decision from head coach Luis Scaloni.

The first half of the game proved relatively tepid, sticking largely to the script many fans had predicted. Spain dominated possession for large chunks of time, boa constricting the game with their patient, tiki-taka brand of football that has become so ubiquitous with the country over the years. However, Argentina dug in and defended well, led by center back duo Lisandro Martinez and Sergio Ramos, who also started for the team in their 2022 World Cup final victory per FIFA’s official website. Martinez had to be subbed off in the 44th minute due to an apparent injury.   

The second half progressed much the same, with a few half-chances from Spain early on going uncapitalized. Argentina goalkeeper Emilia Martinez, another star from the championship team four years ago, made a number of saves to keep his team in the game, including against a late free kick from Lamine Yamal. Penalties, conflicts, and stoppages plagued much of the second half and continued into extra time after Spain was unable to find a breakthrough. 

Tensions came to a head when midfield Enzo Fernandez received a red card in the 93rd minute after a reckless challenge left his team down to 10 men. The deadlock was broken in the 106th minute when substitute Ferran Torres hammered a volley home after his teammate knocked down a looping cross to give “La Roja” the lead. Argentina managed to scrape a few chances together in the last minutes but ultimately came up short as the final whistle expired.  

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The victory marks Spain's 2nd World Cup title, the first coming in 2010. The team is also coming off a European Championship in 2024, a tournament often considered the 2nd most prestigious competition in international football, according to the association's website.

The 2026 World Cup may mark Messi’s final appearance in the competition, as the player just turned 39 this summer. However, Messi has yet to make any statements about his future and put in yet another stellar tournament, finishing runner-up in both goals and assists, as reported on Yahoo Sports.

Beyond the actual football, the final included considerable pomp and circumstance with President Donald Trump in attendance along with FIFA’s first-ever World Cup half-time show featuring the likes of Shakira, Madonna & Justin Bieber. 

According to FIFA, the next World Cup is scheduled for the summer of 2030 at locations across Spain, Portugal and Morocco.