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Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1–0 thanks to a brilliant goal from Ferran Torres to become FIFA World Cup champions. The decisive goal came in the second half of extra time.

Spanish players dominated Argentina throughout the match with an outstanding performance. Ferran Torres scored a superb goal to seal victory for Spain. Spain controlled the game with 65% possession and finished with 20 shots, while Argentina managed only two attempts. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 crucial saves, setting a World Cup final record.

Martínez produced an exceptional display by denying several certain goals. In the closing moments, Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was shown a red card for rough play and was sent off. The match remained goalless after regular time, forcing extra time.

French superstar Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. The final, played at New Jersey’s football stadium, was thrilling from the opening whistle.

Spain attacked early, creating their first major chance in the fifth minute through Lamine Yamal, but Argentina’s goalkeeper made a fine save. Spain continued to dominate throughout regulation time, creating numerous attacking moves and more than a dozen attempts on goal, but Martínez’s heroics kept Argentina level.

The first half of extra time also ended without a goal. However, in the opening minute of the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres scored the winning goal to give Spain a historic 1–0 victory.

With this triumph, Spain became the first country in history to win both the Men’s and Women’s FIFA World Cup titles.

Spain also became the first team to keep clean sheets in seven matches during a single World Cup campaign, conceding only one goal in eight matches throughout the tournament.

The two teams had previously met only once at a World Cup, in 1966, when Argentina won 2–1 in the group stage. Spain had won four of their previous six meetings, while Argentina’s last victory came in 2010.

Rodri Wins the Golden Ball

Following Spain’s victory over Argentina, captain and midfielder Rodri (Rodrigo Hernández Cascante) was named the tournament’s Best Player and received the Golden Ball.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove, while Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player, ahead of his 19-year-old teammate Lamine Yamal.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi had been hoping to win a record third Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.

Mbappé Retains the Golden Boot

After Lionel Messi failed to score in the final against Spain, Kylian Mbappé secured the Golden Boot.
The France and Real Madrid striker finished the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals and four assists, making him the tournament’s leading scorer.

Mbappé also scored twice in France’s 6–4 victory over England in the third-place playoff, taking his total to 10 goals and becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot at two FIFA World Cups (2022 and 2026).