Torres extra-time goal gives Spain World Cup final win over Argentina

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, striking in extra time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

The match had gone past the 90 minutes without a goal before Torres found the decisive moment in the additional period. Neither side could respond, leaving Spain to close out the win and take the trophy.

Why it matters

The result delivers Spain their second World Cup title, adding to the triumph in South Africa in 2010. It also ends Argentina's hold on the trophy they won in 2022, denying them a second consecutive world crown.

For a Spanish side that has built its recent success around a young, possession-based core, the win marks the pinnacle of that cycle on the biggest stage. Argentina, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a final that stayed level until the extra period.

Key points

• Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final, in extra time
• Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at the New York New Jersey Stadium
• The match was goalless at the end of normal time
• Spain claim their second World Cup, after 2010
• Argentina, champions in 2022, miss out on back-to-back titles

Attention now turns to how both nations rebuild for the next international cycle, with Spain preparing to defend the title they have just reclaimed and Argentina facing the question of how they respond to a first World Cup defeat in four years.