Ferran Torres scored an extra time winner as Spain defeated 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup.
In a game of extremely few clearcut chances, the game headed all the way to extra time with barely any major moments to talk about.
That was until the last moments of stoppage time, when Enzo Fernández was shown a red card for a brainless challenge on Pau Cubarsí when already on a yellow card.
Emiliano Martínez made a decent save with the last kick of normal time to deny Lamine Yamal from a free kick but at full time, Argentina had not had a single shot.
When down to 10 men, Spain's dominance grew even further but Argentina held firm in defence.
Then, in the first minute of extra time, Torres struck, powerfully hitting the ball past a helpless Emiliano Martinez to hand Spain their second World Cup title.
Spain show patience to finally break deadlock in totally dominant performance
This game had all the elements of being an incredibly close encounter.
If you see just the scoreboard and the fact the match went to extra time then you may assume that too.
But that was probably one of the most comprehensive 1-0 wins in the history of football.
Spain had 65% possession and 20 shots, 12 of which were on target and amassed a total of 1.94xG.
Argentina conversely did not have their first shot until the 117th minute and failed to have a single shot on target all match.
Yet, the game went to extra time.
Spain showed a masterclass in patience, keeping the ball and effectively passing Argentina to death.
A classic Spanish performance of death by a thousand cuts.
But with Argentina's abrasive approach, it was that much more impressive from Spain to remain composed and to go on to win only their second World Cup, whilst breaking the European record for most matches unbeaten with 38.
Argentina feistiness goes step too far with Enzo Fernandez red card
Argentina's hostile approach has been a key part of their success up until this point.
Not to take away their obvious brilliance on the way to glory four years ago, but they are an abrasive, hostile team who are masters of the dark arts.
But in the 2026 World Cup final, they failed to pair that with the same footballing ability we have seen in the last two tournaments.
Late goals have been a theme this tournament from Argentina, scoring three goals late on to beat Egypt, and twice against England, as well as extra time triumphs against Cape Verde and Switzerland.
Today there was more late drama from Argentina, but it was not in the form of a goal.
It was instead a needless, reckless and dare I say it stupid red card for Enzo Fernandez.
Already on a yellow card for dissent, the Chelsea midfielder came flying forward in the 93rd minute and took out Pau Cubarsi with enough force to send him cartwheeling into the air.
They play up to the line and today they went over the line and having failed to have a single shot up to this point, it left them no choice but to play for penalties, which ultimately failed.
Team Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Unai Simon
Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte (Eric Garcia 99'), Marc Cucurella
Rodri (Martin Zubimendi 99'), Fabian Ruiz (Pedri 62')
Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Mikel Merino 75'), Alex Baena (Nico Williams 75')
Mikel Oyarbazal (Ferran Torres 62')
Argentina (4-4-2)
Emiliano Martinez
Gonzalo Montiel (Nahuel Molina 58'), Cristian Romero (Franco Medina 70'), Lisandro Martinez (Nicolas Otamendi 44'), Nicolas Tagliafico
Rodrigo De Paul (Gianluca Simeone 70'), Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Gonzalez (Leandro Paredes 46')
Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez (Marcos Senesi 102')
Snapshot: Framing the drama
Key stats
- Spain: 2nd FIFA World Cup title and first since 2010; Spain is the 7th team with multiple World Cup titles.
- Spain: 3rd reigning EURO champion to win the FIFA World Cup (2008-10 Spain and 1972-74 West Germany.
- Ferran Torres (ESP): Goal 106'; 3rd career World Cup goal and first since scoring 2 vs Costa Rica in 2022.
- Ferran Torres (ESP): 3rd latest game-winning goal in a World Cup final; joins Mario Götze as the only substitute players to score a game-winning goal in a WC final.
- Spain: 7 clean sheets in this World Cup, extending the record for most in a single tournament.
- Spain: 1 goal conceded in the entire tournament, the fewest by a World Cup champion. The only team that did not concede a goal in a single WC was Switzerland in 2006.
- Spain: 38-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, breaks a tie with Italy (2018-21) for the longest by a men's national team
- Spain: won title in 6 of its 7 in major tournament Finals; Only Germany (7) has lifted more major titles than Spain among European nations.
- Luis de la Fuente (ESP): 1st head coach of a European team to advance from his first 9 major-tournament KO Stage games.
- Luis de la Fuente: unbeaten in all 15 of his games at major tournaments; longest such unbeaten start by a manager across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
- Lamine Yamal (ESP): At 19 years, 6 days, he is tied for the 4th-youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup.
- Rodri (ESP): first Golden Ball winner to play for the FIFA World Cup-winning team since Romário in 1994 for Brazil.
- Argentina: Last 4 defending champions to reach the Final all finished runner-up (Argentina in 1990, Brazil in 1998, France in 2022, Argentina in 2026).
- Argentina: finished runner-up in 3 of its last 4 FIFA World Cup Final appearances.
- Argentina: team-record 13-game unbeaten streak at World Cup snapped; Argentina's first WC loss since 2022 opening match vs Saudi Arabia (2-1).
- Argentina: only team to register 0 shots on target in a World Cup Final since over the last 60 years.
- Lionel Messi (ARG): first man to start 3 FIFA World Cup Finals (2nd man to appear in 3, Cafú); also the oldest outfield player to start a Final (39 years, 25 days).
- Emiliano Martínez (ARG): 11 saves, the most in a World Cup final over the last 60 years.
- Enzo Fernández (ARG): Red card at 90'+3; 6th player to be red carded in the World Cup Final, first since John Heitinga (NED) vs Spain in 2010.