Spain defeats Argentina to claim second title

Torres' rocket makes 'Matador' world champion

The Spanish national team was crowned champion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, for the second time in its history, after a valuable and deserved 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday evening, reclaiming the title it previously won in 2010 in South Africa.

Under the watch of US President Donald Trump and Swiss Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, the Spanish team imposed its control over proceedings in regular time, during which its players missed more than one clear chance, without the net bulging thanks to the brilliance of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who saved more than one clear chance, while Lionel Messi's teammates did not fire a single shot on goal throughout the 90 minutes.

After the end of regular time with a goalless draw, with Argentina playing with ten men from the third minute of stoppage time in the second half following the sending off of its player Enzo Fernández for a second yellow card, the two teams resorted to extra time of 30 minutes divided into two equal halves.

During extra time, which is the ninth in the history of World Cup finals, Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in the 106th minute with a spectacular rocket, without Argentina being able to equalize and force the match to penalties in the remaining time.

Mbappé wins the Golden Boot

Frenchman Kylian Mbappé won the top scorer title of the 2026 World Cup, after scoring 10 goals with his country's team, which finished fourth, two goals ahead of Argentine Lionel Messi, who failed to score in the loss in the final against Spain (1-0 after extra time) in New Jersey.

This is the second consecutive time Mbappé (27 years old) wins the award, after 2022 when he scored 8 goals compared to 7 for Messi, who is now 39 years old.

The Frenchman holds the record for the most goals in World Cup history, with 22 goals, compared to 21 also for Messi.