World Cup 2026: Spain Edge Argentina To Become World Champions Again

20th Jul 2026

World Cup 2026: Spain Edge Argentina To Become World Champions Again

Dennis Stets

Spain are back on top of world football. Backed as slight favourites by 888STARZ before kick-off, La Roja defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy in New Jersey. Ferran Torres delivered the decisive goal in the 106th minute, rewarding a Spanish performance that controlled the final for long periods and ultimately broke one of the tournament’s toughest defensive sides.

Before the match, 888STARZ priced Spain at 2.32, while Argentina entered the final at 3.78, reflecting the narrow advantage many analysts gave the European champions. Over 120 minutes, that assessment proved accurate.

Patience Won The Biggest Match

World Cup finals rarely become open spectacles, and this one followed that tradition. Spain dictated possession almost from the opening whistle, moving the ball confidently and forcing Argentina to spend long stretches without it. Luis de la Fuente’s side created the better opportunities throughout the first half, but Emiliano Martínez repeatedly kept Argentina alive with a series of outstanding saves.

Argentina accepted a different role. Lionel Scaloni’s team defended deep, remained compact and waited for moments to counter through Lionel Messi and their midfield. Those moments, however, arrived far less often than they had during the earlier knockout rounds. By half-time, the score remained unchanged, but the balance of the game already favoured Spain.

Argentina Refused To Break

Spain continued to push after the restart. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal constantly stretched the Argentine defence, yet Martínez continued producing crucial interventions to keep the reigning champions level.

Argentina’s task became significantly harder late in normal time when Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card, forcing the South Americans to play the remainder of the final with ten men.

Even then, they refused to surrender. The defending champions held on through the closing minutes of regulation and entered extra time still dreaming of retaining their crown.

Torres Delivers The Defining Moment

The breakthrough finally arrived in the second period of extra time. Pedro Porro’s delivery found Nico Williams at the far post, whose intelligent header dropped perfectly into the path of substitute Ferran Torres. The Spanish forward reacted first, firing a first-time finish beyond Martínez to score the goal that decided the World Cup.

Argentina searched for a response during the remaining minutes, but Spain never lost control. The final whistle confirmed what had been building throughout the evening. Spain were champions once again.

Why Spain Deserved The Trophy

This victory was not built on one extraordinary night. It was the culmination of an entire tournament. Spain conceded just one goal throughout the competition, setting the best defensive record ever achieved by a World Cup-winning side. Goalkeeper Unai Simón finished the tournament with seven clean sheets, another historic achievement, while Spain extended their unbeaten run in regular time to 38 consecutive matches. Perhaps even more impressive was the consistency.

Regardless of the opponent, Spain played the same football—patient in possession, aggressive after losing the ball and composed under pressure. That identity carried them all the way to the biggest prize in international football.

Argentina leave North America with silver medals after another outstanding World Cup campaign. Lionel Messi reached his third World Cup final, but this time Spain denied him one last fairytale ending.

A World Cup To Remember

From dramatic comebacks to unforgettable knockout ties, FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory.

The final may have produced only one goal, but it perfectly showcased the smallest margins that separate champions from everyone else. Spain leave as the best team in the world. The rest now begin chasing them.