Spain are world champions after a dominant win over Argentina in the final of the 2026 World Cup, with Ferran Torres giving La Roja a famous win in New Jersey.
Both sides played out a scrappy first half, and though Spain were dominant as they stifled the holders, neither side could fashion a clear-cut chance, save for one early effort from Lamine Yamal that was blocked by Lisandro Martinez.
The second half played out in similar fashion, with Argentina failing to have a shot in 90 minutes before Enzo Fernandez changed the game, the midfielder sent off for a poor challenge on Pau Cubarsi as he earned two yellow cards in around 10 minutes.
It left Argentina with a mountain to climb in extra time as they looked to fight back against Spain’s dominance, and eventually the advantage told, with Torres opening the scoring after a clever header from Nico Williams.
In the end, it was enough for Spain to secure a win that was far more dominant than the scoreline suggests, with Luis de la Fuente producing a managerial masterclass to give La Roja their second World Cup triumph.
Here’s how the players rated in the World Cup final:
Spain
Unai Simon, 6: The Spain keeper was alert early on to stop Messi going clean through, but that was almost the only thing he had to do all game as Argentina failed to have a shot before 90 minutes.
Pedro Porro, 7: The Tottenham man defended well when called upon, notably when shepherding Gonzalez off the ball after a promising opening for Argentina. He was always willing to join the attack and provided another outlet to help Spain dominate possession, and it was his cross that led to Torres’ goal in extra time.
Pau Cubarsi, 7: The Barcelona youngster has benefitted from Spain’s settled displays and has formed a superb partnership with Laporte. He was once again mostly untroubled throughout this game as La Roja didn’t face a single shot within 90 minutes. He did well to nip in and beat Fernandez in the challenge that led to the red card, and helped make a decisive late block to keep Spain ahead.
Aymeric Laporte, 7: As with Cubarsi, he was almost entirely untroubled during his time on the pitch, as a consequence of both his own composure and skill as well as Spain’s near-flawless gameplan. Was forced to block off Messi late on at the expense of a yellow, but it was worth it, and he was later subbed in extra time. An impressive end to a near-flawless tournament for the Bilbao man.
Marc Cucurella, 7: Like his teammates, the full-back defended diligently when called upon, though he was rarely called upon. Instead, he was more impressive in possession, flashing an effort wide of the far post and constantly offering an outlet for his teammates, even in the final third.
Rodri, 8: The Spain midfielder may well be chasing another Ballon d’Or, and performances like this will certainly help his cause. He was at the centre of everything for much of the game, leading the Spain build-up, mopping up loose balls and breaking up rare Argentina attacks. This type of midfield performance is not as lauded as ones with goals or assists, but it’s so important to how this Spain team functions, and has led them to a second World Cup triumph.
Dani Olmo, 6: The Barcelona man could have had an assist early on after a lovely lay-off to Yamal. He is to the Spain attack what Rodri is to the defence and the build-up, though today it didn’t click in the final third despite Spain’s dominance of the ball.
Fabian Ruiz, 6: Helped Spain dominate possession in the opening stages as they suffocated Argentina. Showed flashes of his ability during some slick passing moves, and is another who showed why he’s important to the Spain set-up, even if he was unable to directly affect the game before coming off.
Lamine Yamal, 6: Should probably have made it 1-0 with an early chance, though it was blocked well by Martinez. He provided a constant threat down the right but he was not his usual self, albeit he often found Argentina doubling up – or even tripling up – in defence. A quiet day for the 19-year-old, though he can afford a few of those in a team this talented.
Mikel Oyarzabal, 6: It wasn’t to be for the Real Sociedad man, who could not repeat his heroics from the Euro 2024 final. He was fairly anonymous throughout, with his only effort of note testing Martinez outside the box. Showed flashes of why he’s important to the team but was not able to get as involved in attacks as he’d have liked.
Alex Baena, 6: The Atletico Madrid man didn’t have a lot to do in terms of defensive duties, but he was largely ineffective in attack during his time on the pitch, though he did dovetail well with Cucurella down the left.
Subs
Ferran Torres, 8: The nature of Spain’s play arguably means that their designated ‘centre-forward’ is one of the least involved players at times, and so it proved as both Oyarzabal and Torres struggled to impose themselves in attack. However, the Barcelona man has proven adept at picking his moment at club level, and he did so again as he arrived in the box to fire in an accomplished finish for the winner.
Pedri, 7: Pedri is another player who might have been surprised by the number of minutes he’s seen this summer, but he slotted in seamlessly after coming on and was brilliant throughout, hardly putting a foot wrong as Spain began to turn the screw. He may not benefit from the synergy between Rodri, Ruiz and Olmo at the moment, but the Barcelona youngster will lead this team for years to come.
Mikel Merino, 7: The Arsenal man has been Spain’s surprise package so far this tournament and he was unlucky to have a foul ruled against him in the build-up to the disallowed goal. Headed wide from a great Williams cross when he probably should have scored.
Nico Williams, 8: The winger changed Spain’s attack after coming on, with his skilful dribbling, pace and directness causing problems as soon as he entered the pitch. He was unlucky to have a goal ruled out, and equally unlucky to see a superb cross headed wide by Merino, though he eventually got his assist after great work at the back post in heading down the cross for Torres’ winner. While he has had to sit on the bench at times throughout this tournament, this was another memorable final performance for the world and European champion.
Martin Zubimendi, 6: Came on to replace Rodri, and as was the case with the Euro 2024 final, slotted seamlessly into midfield. Probably benefitted from Spain’s numerical advantage, but was solid enough.
Eric Garcia, 6: Came on to shore up the defence but had little to do as Argentina tired and Spain’s numerical advantage told.
Manager rating: Luis de la Fuente, 9: The flawless display from Spain was largely down to a manager who has proven himself as one of the best in the world in recent years. La Roja were imperious as they nullified all of Argentina’s threats in a dominant display, limiting Argentina to just two shots and none on target while providing plenty of attacking threat. His subs were inspired too, with two combining to score the goal that won them the World Cup.
Argentina
Emi Martinez, 7: Eventually made a good stop from Yamal after Martinez’s deflection early on. Made a routine save from Torres’ close-range header before fumbling another long-range effort, but made a great save from a late Yamal free-kick. Made another good save from Williams early into extra time, a second in the lead-up to the disallowed goal, and could do little about the winner from Torres.
Gonzalo Montiel, 6: The defender was another who came into the side after a good cameo against England, but he had little to do early on up against an ineffective Alex Baena. Nevertheless, he was alert to make a clearance and stop Cucurella from having a free effort at goal in the second half just before he came off.
Cristian Romero, 6: The Tottenham man was not troubled too much in the first half despite Spain’s possession, and dovetailed well again with Martinez before the latter came off. He was subbed after the second hydration break, presumably due to injury of some sort, in a disappointing end to another tournament to remember. Can hold his head high alongside Martinez.
Lisandro Martinez, 6: A huge disappointment for the Manchester United defender, who was forced off inside the first half due to injury. He did make a solid contribution though, providing a decisive block early on to help Martinez stop a golden chance for Yamal. He was not troubled too much in the first half despite Spain’s possession, though was first to be booked after scything down Oyarzabal on the counter.
Nicolas Tagliafico, 5: Struggled up against Yamal early on, and somehow escaped a yellow card after bringing him down on the counter. Was helped out when they doubled up in defence, but offered little in attack and is another who will likely be retiring soon.
Nico Gonzalez, 5: His brief cameo against England was enough to earn the winger a starting berth but he was largely ineffective as Argentina toiled in the first half, before being replaced by Leandro Paredes at half-time.
Alexis Mac Allister, 6: The midfielder was probably lucky to escape an early yellow, and even more so after what looked like a fairly deliberate handball. However, he provided some badly needed composure in the first half, though he was also limited in what he could do in the face of Spain’s dominance.
Enzo Fernandez, 3: Having been the hero against England in an impressive outing, the Chelsea man was largely anonymous throughout the opening 90 minutes as himself and his midfield partners struggled to gain a foothold in the game. In the end it was a pathetic, petulant exit as dissent and a ridiculous foul saw him sent off in stoppage time, just as Argentina looked like they might be making their way into the game.
Rodrigo De Paul, 5: Couldn’t impose himself on this game as he did in his cameo against England, and could do little to help his side as Spain dominated possession. Largely anonymous, but through no fault of his own.
Lionel Messi, 5: The 39-year-old was kept unusually quiet in the first half as his side were stifled, and it was more of the same in the second half as Spain began to turn the screw and nullify their opponents. In the end it was a step too far for the little genius, who couldn’t do it all on his own this time, and was limited by a near-perfect tactical display from La Roja.
Julian Alvarez, 5: Another who was unable to make any sort of impact during his time on the pitch. It was a notably muted performance, but he got little help from his midfield and even his attacking partners.
Subs
Nicolas Otamendi, 6: Cleared well from a slick Spain attack and overall performed well in extremely difficult circumstances, though was powerless to prevent the defeat in the end.
Leandro Paredes, 4: Came on at half-time and his first meaningful act was to get a yellow for a needless challenge and reaction. Struggled throughout, though perhaps through no fault of his own as Spain completely nullified their opponents. His time at this level is done, and he showed his frustration at the final whistle.
Giuliano Simeone, 5: The winger was a victim of his side’s muted performance, though he offered little in attack or as an outlet, and lacked composure as he blasted over from near the penalty spot in extra-time stoppage time.
Facundo Medina, 5: Was up against it as he came on for Romero, and while he did well to hold firm for so long, he could do little about the goal.
Nahuel Molina, 4: Another who was up against it as Spain began to dominate but lost Williams as the Spain winger headed down for the opener.
Marcos Senesi, 5: Could do little as he was forced to defend wave after wave of Spain pressure.
Manager rating: Lionel Scaloni, 5: The Argentina boss has previously proven himself an astute manager but he was outclassed here by his Spanish counterpart. Part of that is down to his inferior squad options, but his changes made little difference and he was powerless to prevent his side delivering an abject performance.
