Spain beats Argentina 2026 World Cup with Torres extra-time goal

Spain beats Argentina 2026 World Cup — Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike settled a tightly contested final as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 at New York/New Jersey Stadium. According to Fox News Digital, Torres, who was introduced as a substitute, finished in the 106th minute of extra time to secure the title for Spain.

The match featured sustained pressure from Spain, a second-yellow sending-off for Argentina’s Enzo Fernández in stoppage time and a disallowed Nico Williams goal in extra time after a VAR review, per Fox News Digital and the official match report.

Spain beats Argentina 2026 World Cup — match recap

Spain controlled possession for long spells and repeatedly probed Argentina’s defense, turning pressure into a succession of shots that the visitors struggled to contain. Fox News Digital reported that Spain generated a high volume of attempts and that Emiliano Martínez produced several key saves to keep the score level through 90 minutes.

Extra time proved decisive. A sequence kept alive in the 106th minute fell to Ferran Torres, who drove a low finish under the crossbar and into the net to put Spain ahead and ultimately lift the trophy, according to match coverage and the official report.

Decisive moments

Officials and VAR were central to multiple turning points, and Fox News Digital provided the timeline used here. Below are the match’s critical moments in chronological order, attributed to Fox News Digital and official sources.

• 55th minute: Spain mounted a sustained build-up in the final third that forced a corner after a multi-pass sequence and defensive intervention.
• 66th minute: A headed effort from inside the box required a save from Emiliano Martínez, keeping Argentina level.
• 82nd minute: Spain continued to press and had accumulated multiple attempts on goal, maintaining territorial advantage.
• Stoppage time, 93rd minute: Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card for a challenge and was sent off, leaving Argentina with 10 players for extra time, as reported by Fox News Digital and the official match report.
• Extra time — disallowed goal: Nico Williams had a goal ruled out after VAR review for a foul in the buildup; match officials determined there was contact that affected play.
• 106th minute: Ferran Torres finished from close range after a sustained Spanish attack, putting the ball under the crossbar to make it 1-0.

How Spain broke through

Spain’s breakthrough came from a combination of tactical patience, targeted substitutions and consistent pressure in the attacking third. Fox News Digital noted the substitution that brought Ferran Torres onto the field and described how he became a focal point inside Argentina’s penalty area.

Throughout the match Spain rotated the ball and worked to create overloads on the flanks, forcing Argentina to defend deep at times. That approach generated repeated entries into the final third and a high shot volume, which culminated in the rebound opportunity Torres converted in extra time.

Impact for Argentina and Lionel Messi

The red card to Enzo Fernández late in stoppage time left Argentina with 10 men for extra time and was a defining moment that affected the balance of the added period, according to match reports cited by Fox News Digital. Playing a man down limited Argentina’s ability to press forward consistently in extra time.

Lionel Messi featured in the match and was central to Argentina’s attacking plans, but Spain’s defensive organization and Martínez’s earlier saves kept Argentina from converting its chances during regulation. Fox News Digital reported there was no official announcement regarding Messi’s international future following the match.

Match details and source attribution

The final was played at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Halftime entertainment included performances by Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber, as listed in event coverage and Fox News Digital’s report.

According to Fox News Digital and the official match report, the decisive facts of the game include Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute goal, Enzo Fernández’s dismissal in the 93rd minute (second yellow), and a disallowed Nico Williams goal in extra time after a VAR review for a foul in the buildup.

Source attribution: Reporting and match timeline based on Fox News Digital coverage and the official match report for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. For further details, see Fox News Digital’s reporting on the match.