Spain Are World Champions — Ferran Torres' Extra-Time Winner Ends Messi's Last Dance

Spain 1–0 Argentina (a.e.t.): How It Happened

Full time in New Jersey, and Spain has won the World Cup for a second time after a nail-biting 1-0 win over Argentina. Ferran Torres's goal in the opening seconds of the second half of extra time stands as the winner, one which seemed like it would never come after 11 saves from Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

0–0 After 90 Minutes

Spain dominated from the first whistle. Spain had 20 shots and 12 on target in the match. Argentina had 2 shots and 0 on target. Spain's xG was 1.94. Argentina's xG was 0.20.

Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves before Torres' goal — a World Cup final record. Every time Spain broke through, Martínez was there. Yamal hit the crossbar. Oyarzabal was denied point-blank. Williams had a goal disallowed. Spain had 9 corners, 858 passes, 774 completed. Argentina had 2 shots — one of which came after the 105th minute.

Lionel Messi struggled to make much of an impact in what may be his last World Cup game. The great man who had willed Argentina through five consecutive comeback wins could not find his moment today.

The Red Card That Changed Everything

The game turned in La Roja's favour in second-half stoppage time when Fernández was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Enzo Fernández — who had scored the equalizer against England in the semifinal — received his second yellow card in the dying moments of regulation time. Argentina were down to 10 men heading into extra time. The comeback machine was broken.

The Disallowed Goal

Spain thought they had taken the lead when Williams fired into the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Otamendi by Merino in the build-up. The moment of controversy that will be debated for years.

Torres 106' — The Winner

Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute. He is just the second substitute to score the winning goal in a World Cup final.

Thirty-nine seconds into the second half of extra time, Ferran Torres thumped in an 8-yard shot and La Roja finally shattered 10-man Argentina's spirit to claim a 1-0 victory.

A bouncing ball falls to the feet of Spain's Ferran Torres, who fires a left-footed volley past Emiliano Martínez, who had made 11 saves before that goal. Williams provided the assist. The stadium erupted. Spain had their moment.

Final Whistle

IT'S FULL TIME HERE AT NEW YORK NEW JERSEY STADIUM AND SPAIN ARE CROWNED WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS AFTER A 1-0 WIN OVER ARGENTINA IN THE 2026 FINAL!

The Final Stats

Messi's Farewell

It was not to be for Messi, who looks to have played in his final match at the World Cup, but even he will concede Spain were worthy winners.

Argentina entered the 2026 World Cup trying to be the first team to win four straight major tournaments — Copa América 2021, World Cup 2022, Copa América 2024 — a run unlike anything in football history. Instead, Lionel Messi's possible final major tournament appearance in an Argentina shirt ended in disappointment.

Lionel Messi has said this will be his final World Cup, as he will be 43 years old by the end of the 2030 tournament. Messi, for what it's worth, also hinted the 2022 World Cup would be his final one.

The numbers of Messi's 2026 World Cup will never be forgotten. Eight tournament goals. Four assists. 21 all-time World Cup goals — the all-time record. A hat-trick against Algeria. The record-breaking 20th goal against Austria on his 39th birthday. Five consecutive knockout wins from behind. And 11 saves from Emi Martínez in the final that could not be enough.

For now, there is perhaps still a chance he suits up for the next Copa America tournament, which will be held in 2028.

Spain: Worthy Champions

Spain started their World Cup campaign with a draw to tournament debutants Cape Verde, but they have since gone on to become worthy winners of the tournament.

Today in New Jersey, Spain won again after a goal by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, just as Andrés Iniesta had scored in the 116th minute in the 2010 final against the Netherlands. He is just the second substitute to score the winning goal in a World Cup final.

Now it's Spain's opportunity to win two in a row in 2030.

Lamine Yamal, 19 years old, is a World Cup champion. Rodri, the Ballon d'Or winner, has his World Cup medal. Pedri. Olmo. Oyarzabal with five tournament goals. Merino with his two late match-winners. And Ferran Torres — the substitute who wrote his name into World Cup final history.

The 2026 World Cup: A Tournament For the Ages

That brings an end to another enthralling World Cup campaign, and we already can't wait to do it all over again in four years time.

In six weeks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered everything football can offer:

The greatest individual performance — Messi, 39, with 8 goals and 4 assists, breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record twice.

The greatest goalkeeper performance in a final — Emiliano Martínez, 11 saves, a record that may never be broken.

The greatest upset — Paraguay eliminating Germany on penalties. Morocco eliminating Netherlands on penalties.

The greatest comeback — Argentina down 0-2 against Egypt, winning 3-2 with three goals in 11 minutes.

The greatest young player — Lamine Yamal, 19, a World Cup champion.

The greatest save — Martínez throughout the final, defying Spain's 20 shots and 1.94 xG for 105 minutes.

The greatest story — Messi holding baby Yamal in 2007. Yamal celebrating the World Cup over Messi's broken dream in 2026.

The Jersey Verdict

The Spain red jersey — the jersey of the 2026 World Cup champions. Two World Cup titles. European champions. 37 games unbeaten. One goal conceded in nine matches. Ferran Torres' volley in the 106th minute. The most dominant defensive performance in World Cup history. This jersey is now one of the most celebrated in football.

The Argentina blue and white stripes — Messi's farewell jersey. Eight goals. Four assists. 21 all-time World Cup goals. Five consecutive knockout wins from behind. Emi Martínez's 11 saves. The greatest World Cup performance by a losing finalist in history. A collector's piece that may be the most emotionally significant jersey in the sport.

Both jerseys tell stories that football will discuss for decades.

Shop the Spain 2026 World Cup Champions Jersey → Shop the Argentina 2026 World Cup Jersey — Messi's Last →

Thank You for Following JerseyFun Through the 2026 World Cup

From Messi's hat-trick against Algeria in the group stage to Torres' volley in extra time of the final — six weeks, 104 matches, 48 nations, and the greatest tournament in football history.

The JerseyFun 2026 World Cup collection remains available. Every nation. Every story. Every jersey.

Browse the full 2026 World Cup collection at JerseyFun →

Published: July 20, 2026. Final score: Spain 1–0 Argentina (a.e.t.). Goal: Ferran Torres 106'. Emiliano Martínez: 11 saves — World Cup final record. Spain: 2026 FIFA World Cup Champions.