Spain wins World Cup gold for the second time, beating Lionel Messi and Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Substitute Ferran Torres struck the winner just 39 seconds into the second period of extra time, finishing a header from Nico Williams after Pedro Porro’s cross found the back post.
The match stayed goalless through 90 minutes, so neither side could find a breakthrough despite Spain’s control of possession. As a result, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez kept Argentina alive with a World Cup final record 11 saves, denying wave after wave of Spanish pressure. However, Argentina managed only two shots all game, and neither found the target.
Argentina’s task grew harder in stoppage time, when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez picked up a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi and was sent off. Consequently, Argentina played the entire 30 minutes of extra time with 10 men. Meanwhile, Messi, playing what is likely his final World Cup, rarely touched the ball as Spain dominated territory throughout.
Torres Delivers the Decisive Blow
Torres had entered as a 62nd-minute substitute for Mikel Oyarzabal and needed just one chance to make it count. Therefore, when Williams headed Porro’s cross back across goal, Torres met it first time from close range to beat a wrong-footed Martinez.
“I just saw the ball coming to me, and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people,” Torres said afterward.
Second Title Ends Long Wait
The win extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 38 matches and delivered a first World Cup title since 2010, when Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal beat the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Argentina fell short in its bid to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962. Overall, coach Luis de la Fuente’s side finished the tournament having conceded just once, the fewest goals allowed by any champion in World Cup history.
