Play store
Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup champions for the second time after Ferran Torres struck a dramatic extra-time winner to seal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in a gripping final at New Jersey on early Monday (Bangladesh Time).
Torres settled a tense, high-quality contest in the 106th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area to fire past Emiliano Martínez and end Argentina’s reign as world champions.
The victory handed Spain their first World Cup title since 2010 and completed an unbeaten campaign under coach Luis de la Fuente, whose side combined tactical discipline with attacking flair throughout the tournament.
Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle and created the better chances, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal once again at the heart of their attacking play.
Yamal forced an early save from Martínez after combining brilliantly with Dani Olmo before threatening again moments later following a perfectly weighted pass from Rodri.
Argentina, chasing back-to-back World Cup titles, relied on quick counterattacks led by captain Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez, but Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón was alert throughout, repeatedly racing off his line to snuff out dangerous situations.
Rodri controlled the midfield as Spain patiently dictated the tempo, while Álex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal and Marc Cucurella regularly stretched Argentina’s defence down the left.
The match grew increasingly physical as the first half progressed, with Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić issuing several bookings. Argentina suffered a setback before the break when defender Lisandro Martínez was forced off injured and replaced by Nicolás Otamendi.
Spain finished the opening half strongly, with Oyarzabal and Cucurella both going close, but Martínez ensured the teams remained level at the interval.
The pattern continued after the restart as Spain monopolised possession while Argentina defended resolutely and searched for openings on the counter.
Lionel Scaloni introduced Leandro Paredes to add steel in midfield, but the substitute quickly found himself in the referee’s notebook as the contest became increasingly fragmented by fouls.
Spain continued to press, with Dani Olmo, Baena and Yamal all testing Argentina’s defence. Martínez produced another outstanding save to deny Olmo, while Spain also threatened repeatedly from corners through Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Pedro Porro.
Luis de la Fuente freshened his side by introducing Pedri, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, moves that ultimately proved decisive.
Argentina’s hopes suffered a major blow deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Cubarsí, leaving the defending champions to play extra time with 10 men.
Spain finally found the breakthrough early in the second period of extra time.
Yamal released Porro down the right, whose cross was intelligently headed back across goal by Nico Williams. Torres reacted quickest, meeting the bouncing ball with a thunderous left-footed volley that crashed into the roof of the net beyond the helpless Martínez.
Argentina threw everything forward in the closing minutes, with Messi orchestrating one final assault on Spain’s goal, but Simón and Spain’s disciplined defence stood firm to preserve the slender advantage.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations as Spain ended Argentina’s four-year reign to claim their second World Cup crown, confirming the emergence of a new force in world football while bringing an end to Lionel Messi’s bid for a second successive global title.