FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain is world champions, beats defending champions Argentina in final
STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 20 (STC): Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive winning goal in the 106th minute of extra time to secure Spain’s second men’s World Cup title.
In a dominant final performance by La Roja, who controlled the match and nullified Argentina’s attacking threats.
It’s pertinent to mention that Spain’s opening in the World Cup was frustrating as they opened the campaign with a goalless draw against tournament debutants Cape Verde.
It was one of the most astonishing results in World Cup history, and left many asking questions about Spain’s chances at this tournament.
With the campaign progressing, Spain improved by leaps and bounds and headed through the knockout stages before finally emerging as champions of the game.
Spain went into this tournament with the sixth-youngest squad of the 48 teams competing, with an average age of 26.19 and just six players over 30.
Spain conceded just one goal in the tournament and maintained an unbeaten record, which has now stretched to an incredible 38 games.
Experts of the game wrote that La Roja certainly opted for youth over experience, and it was the right call. Some of their best players are teenagers, with Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal both 19.
After cruising through their first three knockout matches, France were strong favourites to go all the way at this tournament, but Spain had other ideas.
They never allowed France to get a foothold in the game, restricting them to potshots from well outside the penalty area.
Spain dominated the final as they stuck with the same starting lineup for Sunday’s final, and who can blame them? They followed the same playbook as the semifinal, controlling possession and frustrating their opponents.
Argentina were restricted to just two shots in 120 minutes of football, with none of those efforts on target.
Spain enjoyed 65 percent possession and wore the South Americans down both mentally and physically.
(Straight Talk Communications/ Agencies)
