Spain defeat Argentina in extra time to win 2026 FIFA World Cup

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (KYMA) - Spain are world champions once again.

La Roja defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday, capturing the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic late winner at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The championship match marked the first World Cup final in history featuring the top two teams in the FIFA World Rankings, with No. 1 Argentina facing No. 2 Spain.

After 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, the match took a dramatic turn in stoppage time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow leading to a red card in the 93rd minute after a late challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, forcing the defending champions to play the remainder of extra time with 10 men.

Spain capitalized on the numerical advantage just 37 seconds into the second half of extra time. Pedro Porro delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Nico Williams headed the ball back for Ferran Torres, who rifled his finish into the top corner to give Spain the decisive lead.

Spain controlled much of the match from start to finish, dominating possession and creating chance after chance.

Argentina failed to register a shot throughout regulation, while Spain finished with a commanding 20-2 advantage in total shots and a 12-0 edge in shots on target before Argentina finally tested Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón late in extra time.

Despite the constant pressure, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez delivered one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup final history.

His 11 saves kept Argentina in the match and set a new record for the most saves ever by a goalkeeper in a World Cup final.

Argentina mounted a desperate push after falling behind, finally forcing Spain's defense into action during the closing minutes.

However, Spain held firm to record its seventh clean sheet of the tournament and secure the nation's second FIFA World Cup title.

The victory ends a 16-year wait for another world championship, matching Spain's only previous title won in 2010, which also came by a 1-0 scoreline after extra time.

For Argentina, the defeat ends its hopes of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a men's World Cup title.

The match also marked the final World Cup appearance of Argentine legend Lionel Messi. At 39-years-old, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner saw his historic World Cup career come to an emotional close after leading Argentina to the 2022 title and another trip to the final four years later.

Spain's triumph caps off an impressive tournament run, as La Roja cemented themselves once again at the top of the soccer world.