Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday 19 July 2026. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the second period of extra time to crown Spain world champions. For Pakistani fans watching through the night, it was a match full of drama, a red card, and one brilliant moment that decided everything.
Spain vs Argentina: Final Score and Match Summary
Spain 1-0 Argentina (AET), MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, 19 July 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final ended Spain 1-0 Argentina after extra time at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. It was a result that felt deserved after 120 minutes of Spain’s complete control.
Spain vs Argentina brought two of the tournament’s best teams together in a historic showdown, with Spain entering the final on a remarkable 37-match unbeaten run and boasting the tournament’s strongest defence after conceding just one goal in seven matches.
Argentina arrived as the highest-scoring team in the tournament with 19 goals and aimed to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
First Half: Spain Dominate, Argentina Survive
Spain and Argentina were locked at 0-0 at half-time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Spain controlled possession and dictated the tempo, but Argentina remained disciplined defensively to keep the score level.
Spain dominated possession with 64 percent and completed 90 percent of their passes, while Argentina had yet to register a shot on target but remained firmly in the contest heading into the second half.
In the second half, the pattern stayed the same. Spain kept pressing. Argentina kept defending with everything they had. Argentina were the first ever team to fail to have a single shot in 90 minutes in a FIFA World Cup final. Quite a stat.
Extra Time Drama: Red Card and the Winning Goal
The biggest moment came in extra time. Enzo Fernández chased down a loose ball and clattered into Cubarsi and was sent off. It was a silly challenge from the midfielder, who had been booked earlier in the match for simulation. It gave Spain an even bigger mountain to climb in the Spain vs Argentina showdown.
With Argentina down to 10 men, Spain made their pressure count. Nico Williams made a huge cross that was a bit too deep for him but he made the most of it, knocking it back to a Spanish player, and Ferran Torres buried his chance in the roof of the goal. Spain 1-0 Argentina. That was the winner.
Shot attempts finished at 15-0 for Spain, who had 66 percent of the ball through 90 minutes. Spain completed nearly 600 passes and Argentina were below 300, with just two total touches in the Spain 18-yard box. A record-breaking display of dominance.
The Stars: Yamal, Messi and the Generation Gap
There was Messi, seeking to cap the greatest career the sport has ever seen with a second straight World Cup. And there was 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, the heir apparent chasing his first. In the end, the younger generation won the day.
Midfield leaders Rodri and Fabián Ruiz supported an attack led by Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal for Spain. Argentina relied on Emiliano Martínez in goal, with defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez anchoring the back line, while Messi partnered with Julián Álvarez in attack.
Lionel Messi, 38 years old and on his biggest stage one final time, could not find a way through Spain’s rock-solid defence. It was heartbreak for him and his millions of Pakistani fans who stayed up through the night to watch.
How Spain and Argentina Got to the Final
Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-final, while Argentina beat England 2-1 in the other semi-final to set up the Spain vs Argentina decider.
Spain’s road to the final included a 3-0 group stage win over Algeria, wins over Austria, Jordan, Portugal, Belgium and France. Argentina beat Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England to reach the final.
| Round | Spain Result | Argentina Result |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-Final | Spain 2-0 France | Argentina 2-1 England |
| Quarter-Final | Spain 2-1 Belgium | Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET) |
| Round of 16 | Spain 1-0 Portugal | Argentina 3-2 Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Spain 3-0 Austria | Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (AET) |
Third Place: England Beat France in a Classic
Before the final, Pakistani fans also got to watch a brilliant third-place match. England beat France 6-4 in the third-place play-off, a result that made World Cup history. Bukayo Saka earned a 9/10 player rating as England sealed third place.
Pakistan Angle: A Nation That Watched Every Kick
Pakistan may not have been on the pitch, but Pakistani football fans were very much a part of this World Cup. Millions followed Spain vs Argentina through the night, with Lionel Messi commanding massive support across the country. Tea stalls, drawing rooms and stadium watch parties were packed for this final. A full house of 80,663 fans turned up at MetLife Stadium to watch the Spain vs Argentina final in person. The Pakistan football community, working hard to grow the sport at home, will use the excitement from this World Cup as fuel to push the game forward. For more on Pakistani football’s development, visit the Pakistan Football Federation’s official website.
For the full official FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule, results and tournament information, visit FIFA.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final?
Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026. Ferran Torres scored the only goal.
Who scored in the Spain vs Argentina World Cup Final?
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in extra time. The goal came after Nico Williams delivered a cross and Torres finished it into the roof of the net. Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was sent off in extra time, leaving his side with 10 men.
Where was the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final held?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final was held at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Did Messi win the World Cup 2026?
No. Lionel Messi and Argentina lost the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Argentina had been chasing back-to-back World Cup titles after winning in Qatar 2022, but Spain’s defence proved too strong. Argentina aimed to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title, but it was not to be.
