World Cup Final: Spain 1-0 Argentina – Inter captain forced to watch extra time defeat

World Cup Final: Spain 1-0 Argentina – Inter captain forced to watch extra time defeat Spain have won the 2026 World Cup, but were forced to wait until the Ferran Torres strike in extra time to break down 10-man Argentina, who left Lautaro Martinez on the bench throughout. Both teams were still unbeaten going into the Final , but Argentina made changes with Juventus winger Nico Gonzalez entering the starting XI , leaving Inter’s Lautaro Martinez and Como starlet Nico Paz on the bench. Lionel Messi made history as the second player after Marcos Cafu to play in three World Cup Finals. Lamine Yamal shook off a left thigh issue to play for Spain, who drew their opener with Cape Verde and got stronger as the tournament went on, beating favourites France in the semi-final. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Nico Gonzalez #15 of Argentina controls the ball against Pedro Porro #12 of Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Emiliano Martinez was tested by a deflected Lamine Yamal effort at the near post in the opening minutes, but had to wait until the 39 th to smother the Mikel Oyarzabal strike, then watched Marc Cucurella’s angled drive flash wide. Lisandro Martinez went off just before half-time with a thigh injury, replaced by Nicolas Otamendi, and former Roma and Juventus midfielder Leandro Paredes came on for Nico Gonzalez at the break. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Alex Baena’s scuffed finish was straight at Dibu Martinez, and Gonzalo Montiel made a decisive interception to stop Cucurella firing in the pull-back from eight yards. Dani Olmo’s scorcher stung Martinez’s gloves, and a Ferran Torres header was straight at the goalkeeper who has been linked with Juventus. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Emiliano Martinez #23 of Argentina makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Cristian Romero also went off injured, and Emi Martinez parried the Pau Cubarsi strike with real difficulty, but Aymeric Laporte’s header was too weak. In stoppages, Nico Williams stung Martinez’s gloves, but moments later Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for his late challenge on Cubarsi, with the first coming foolishly for dissent. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Referee Slavko Vincic shows a red card to Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Emi Martinez palmed the resulting Lamine Yamal free kick round the post, so Spain and 10-man Argentina went to extra time, with the Seleccion not having a single shot on goal in the 90 minutes. Another Martinez fingertip save denied the glancing Nico Williams header, but when Spain did get it into the net, this was disallowed for Mikel Merino treading on Otamendi’s foot in the build-up. Merino’s glancing header also flashed wide, but Spain finally broke through when Nico Williams knocked down a cross at the back post for Ferran Torres to smash into the roof of the net on the half-volley from seven yards. Ferran Torres had the ball in the net again, but was offside on the Lamine Yamal through ball, then Nico Williams wasted a golden opportunity. Argentina finally had a shot on goal, but Merino bravely charged down the Messi screamer with his face, then in the final moments of the match, desperate defending prevented a Giuliano Simeone tap-in on the pull-back from the by-line, then on the resulting corner the same Italy-born player blasted over. It was truly too little, too late, as failing to get a single shot on target until deep into extra time was not enough for Argentina. Nonetheless, a tussle erupted at the final whistle, with ex-Roma and Juventus midfielder Leandro Paredes at the centre of it. Ferran Torres 106 (S) Sent off: Enzo Fernandez 93 (A)