Spain 1-0 Argentina AET: Ferran Torres wins World Cup

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, with Ferran Torres striking the only goal at 106′ to decide a tense contest at MetLife Stadium. After 105 minutes of deadlock, Torres’ volley delivered the moment that secured the trophy for Spain.

For long stretches, this final was defined by Spain’s control of the ball and Argentina’s resistance without it. Spain finished with 65.1 percent possession, won nine corners and placed 12 shots on target, steadily pinning Argentina back. Yet despite the territorial edge, the breakthrough refused to arrive in normal time as Argentina’s defensive line held firm and the final remained goalless through 90 minutes.

Argentina’s task became even more difficult deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez, already booked at 82′, was sent off at 90’+3′. That dismissal shifted the balance of the fixture even further toward Spain, who had already been dictating the tempo. Argentina had shown discipline and commitment for most of the night, but playing the extra period with 10 men invited mounting pressure.

Spain finally turned that pressure into the decisive goal at 106′. Ferran Torres, introduced from the bench, met the chance cleanly and volleyed home to make it 1-0. It was the one finish the final had been waiting for, and it arrived at the point when Spain’s patient approach and numerical advantage were beginning to tell.

From there, Spain managed the closing stages with authority. Argentina, limited to just two shots and none on target across the entire 120 minutes, could not produce a late response. Spain stayed composed in possession, protected their lead and saw out extra time to become world champions after a final built more on control, discipline and endurance than open attacking exchanges.

Key performers

Torres will take the headlines for the winning goal at 106′, and rightly so. His contribution off the bench decided the biggest fixture of the tournament. Just as important was Spain’s collective dominance: 20 total shots, 15 shot assists and relentless pressure around the Argentina penalty area reflected a side that kept believing the opening would come.

For Argentina, the defensive unit battled for as long as it could, but the cards told part of the story. Lisandro Martinez was booked at 41′, Leandro Paredes at 52′, Cristian Romero at 90’+2′ and Alexis Mac Allister at 111′, while Enzo Fernandez’s second yellow became the pivotal setback. Against a Spain side moving the ball with confidence, that margin for error disappeared late on.

NerdSports Stat: Spain outshot Argentina 20-2 and allowed zero shots on target, meaning Ferran Torres’ 106′ volley capped a final in which Spain produced 10 times as many attempts as their opponents.

This result means everything for Spain: they are FIFA World Cup 2026 champions after edging out Argentina in one of the tournament’s tightest and most tactical fixtures. There is no next fixture now for either side in this competition, only celebration for Spain and reflection for Argentina after a final settled by one extra-time moment.

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