Ferran Torres Breaks Argentine Hearts in Extra-Time as Spain Win Second World Cup
NEW YORK —
Spain are world champions again. Ferran Torres smashed home in the 106th minute to give La Roja a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, sealing a second global title for Spain and back-to-back major trophies after their Euro 2024 triumph.
It was a cruel finish for Lionel Messi. In what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance, the 39-year-old was kept quiet all night, touching the ball just 54 times across a match that stretched past three hours with a 27-minute half-time break. There was no fairytale ending in New Jersey, only a familiar Spanish wall he could not unlock.
The game had the feel of South Africa 2010. Goalless after 90 minutes, tension building, and then a Barcelona man delivering in the second period of extra-time. This time it was Torres, not Iniesta.
The winner came from a slick exchange. Fellow substitute Nico Williams knocked the ball back to Torres, the former Manchester City forward surged onto it and drilled past Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez. Martinez had been magnificent up to that point, but he was beaten by the pace and placement. It was Spain’s 20th shot of the night. Argentina finished without a single shot on target.
There was controversy minutes earlier when a Williams strike was ruled out for a foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina’s hopes of hitting back took another blow at the end of normal time when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez picked up a second yellow and was sent off. Down to 10, Lionel Scaloni’s side defended deep and waited.
Their best chance came in the final seconds of extra time. Giuliano Simeone found space and blasted over, a moment that would have sent the final to penalties. Instead, Spain saw it out.
It caps an extraordinary run for Luis de la Fuente’s side. Unbeaten in tournament games under him, Spain went from an opening draw against Cape Verde to making France and then Argentina look ordinary. Kylian Mbappe took the Golden Boot by two goals, but the team trophy is heading to Madrid.
For Messi, it ends with one World Cup, in 2022. For Spain, it’s two, 16 years apart, and a new generation with Torres’ name now etched alongside Iniesta’s.
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