SpainvsArgentina

Result

Spain won the World Cup for the second time, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Ferran Torres, a 62nd-minute substitute, scored from eight yards in the 106th minute, finishing Nico Williams' pass a minute into the second period of extra time. Spain had 65% of the ball, 20 shots and 12 on target; Argentina, reduced to ten men when Enzo Fernández collected a second yellow deep in stoppage time, did not register a shot on target, and Emiliano Martínez made eleven saves. Spain finish unbeaten, having conceded one goal across eight matches. Spain are world champions.

Spain 4-2-3-14-4-2 Argentina

Spain

Argentina

Ferran Torres106'

Lisandro Martínez41'

Leandro Paredes52'

Enzo Fernández82'

Cristian Romero90'+2'

Alexis Mac Allister111'

Enzo Fernández90'+3'

65%Possession35%

20Shots2

12On target0

0Saves11

9Corners4

763Passes completed357

89%Pass accuracy77%

17Tackles18

32Touches in box8

Substitutions

Ferran Torresfor Mikel Oyarzabalat 62'

Nicolás Otamendifor Lisandro Martínezat 44'

Pedrifor Fabián Ruizat 62'

Leandro Paredesfor Nicolás Gonzálezat 45'

Nico Williamsfor Álex Baenaat 75'

Nahuel Molinafor Gonzalo Montielat 58'

Mikel Merinofor Dani Olmoat 75'

Facundo Medinafor Cristian Romeroat 70'

Martín Zubimendifor Rodriat 99'

Giuliano Simeonefor Rodrigo De Paulat 70'

Eric Garcíafor Aymeric Laporteat 99'

Marcos Senesifor Julián Álvarezat 102'

At this Stage

So it is Spain. The European champions arrived as the tournament's meanest defence and left having conceded a single goal in eight matches — none of them here, where Argentina had 34.9% of the ball and not one shot on target across 120 minutes. It took a substitute to break it: Ferran Torres, on for Oyarzabal at 62, finishing Nico Williams' pass from eight yards a minute into the second period of extra time. Argentina were down to ten by then, Enzo Fernández having collected a second yellow in stoppage time, and had Emiliano Martínez to thank for keeping it goalless that long — eleven saves. Messi's last World Cup ends as a runner-up; Spain's second star goes up sixteen years after the first. There is no next round. That is the tournament.

France0

Spain✓2

Jul 14 · FT

Dallas Stadium

England1

Argentina✓2

Jul 15 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

Spain✓1

Argentina0

Jul 19 · aet

New York/New Jersey Stadium

Semi-final

France0

Spain✓2

Jul 14 · FT

Dallas Stadium

England1

Argentina✓2

Jul 15 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

Final

Spain✓1

Argentina0

Jul 19 · aet

New York/New Jersey Stadium

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Spain to be crowned world champions. De la Fuente's side have been the tournament's most convincing team — unbeaten, a controlled 2-0 win over France in the semi-final, and just one goal conceded in seven matches — and their possession-and-press model smothers exactly the transitions Argentina thrive on. Scaloni's reigning champions are battle-hardened and carry Lionel Messi (eight goals), but they have leaned on late goals and extra time to get here. In a tight final, Spain's control and defensive record edge it. Spain by a single goal; extra time would not surprise.

Both cases written 2026-07-15, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine — opinions with a percent sign on. The unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.