The game hung in the balance until a bouncing ball landed in the box, Ferran Torres met it with his left foot, and Spain became world champions for the second time.
The 1-0 score does not tell the whole story. Spain controlled possession and held Argentina to few chances; Argentina did not get its first shot attempt until the second half of extra time. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a World Cup final-record 12 saves, but he could not stop Torres' strike.
Argentina were reduced to ten men when Enzo Fernandez earned a second yellow card and an early exit deep into stoppage time. Even down a player, Argentina pushed for an equalizer. Substitute Giuliano Simeone had a late chance but sent the ball high and over the crossbar.
The 2026 World Cup was the largest edition ever, with 48 teams and 104 total matches. It also produced the highest number of goals in tournament history - more than 300. The global TV audience was estimated at 2 billion people.
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But Spain's defensive record stands out. They allowed only one goal in the entire tournament, a mark no champion has ever matched. The team also extended its unbeaten streak to 38 matches - 29 wins and nine draws - the longest run by any European national team.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain's head coach, became the oldest man to win a men's World Cup at age 65. "It was together we reached this stage," he said after the match.
Spain's stingy defense formed the bedrock of their championship run. They conceded just a single goal across all eight matches - a record for any World Cup champion. Their possession-heavy approach, orchestrated by midfielders Rodri and Gavi, allowed them to control games and minimize opposition chances.
This victory marks Spain's second World Cup title, following their 2010 triumph in South Africa. The achievement cements their status as a modern football powerhouse, with a generation of players led by Rodri and Gavi that mirrors the golden era of Xavi and Iniesta. For Argentina, the loss ends an era as Lionel Messi exits the international stage, underscoring the tactical evolution of a tournament defined by Spain's relentless defensive discipline.
Lionel Messi, 39, had already declared that a World Cup qualifying match at home against Venezuela the previous year would be his final competitive appearance on Argentine soil. After this loss, he confirmed the run is over.
"I feel sad. They were better, to be honest," he said. "I experienced a lot of things on this pitch, good and not so good. I'll take the good with me."
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his players but admitted the better team won. "The other team was better," he said.
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