CORNERFLICK
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to win the trophy for the second time, 16 years after their first triumph.
The match stayed tight through 90 minutes, with both sides showing early intent through Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. Yamal had a one-on-one chance in the fifth minute but Emiliano Martínez saved, while Mikel Oyarzabal and Marc Cucurella also forced efforts on target before the break.
Argentina lost Lisandro Martínez to injury in the first half, and later Cristian Romero was also forced off. Spain kept more of the ball and pushed harder after the restart, but Emiliano Martínez held firm, including stoppages-time saves from Yamal and Nico Williams.
Enzo Fernández was sent off in added time after a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsí, and Spain finally broke through 37 seconds into the second period of extra time. Pedri found Pedro Porro, Nico Williams headed across goal and Fran Torres finished hard into the roof of the net.
Torres had a second goal ruled out for offside before Spain saw out the remaining minutes.