World Cup 2026 Final: Ferrán Torres Sinks Argentina in Extra Time

One moment on 106 minutes settles it for Spain

The World Cup 2026 final delivered its verdict deep into extra time, and it fell to Spain. At a packed MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Spain beat Argentina 1-0, with Ferrán Torres providing the only goal on 106 minutes. It was a night of relentless Spanish pressure finally rewarded when a tight, tense contest looked destined for penalties.

The numbers underline how much Spain controlled the evening. They held 65% of possession to Argentina's 35%, and the gulf in chance creation was stark: Spain's expected goals (a measure of chance quality, abbreviated xG) reached 1.94 against Argentina's 0.22. Spain forced 12 shots on target and drew 11 saves from the Argentina goalkeeper, while Argentina managed no shots on target at all. Spain also created four big chances to Argentina's none.

For all that dominance, the match hinged on a single moment of quality — Nico Williams the provider, Ferrán Torres the finisher — and on a defensive display that kept Argentina at arm's length across 120 minutes. Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčič oversaw a physical, ill-tempered second half in which Argentina picked up five yellow cards and a red.

How Spain and Argentina lined up at MetLife

From Yamal's early sight of goal to Ferrán's blow

Argentina's discipline problems surfaced before the interval, Lisandro Martínez booked on 41 minutes before being withdrawn for Nicolás Otamendi three minutes later. Leandro Paredes came on for Nicolás González at the break and was himself cautioned on 52 minutes, an early sign of how Argentina would spend the night chasing shadows.

Scaloni reshuffled repeatedly — Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel, then a double change on 70 minutes as Facundo Medina replaced Cristian Romero and Giuliano Simeone came on for Rodrigo De Paul. Spain, meanwhile, freshened up with intent: Ferrán Torres and Pedri arrived on 62 minutes, followed by Nico Williams and Mikel Merino on 75. The yellow cards kept mounting for Argentina, Enzo Fernández and then Romero both booked as frustration grew.

Regulation time finished goalless, and Spain went again in the extra period, Martín Zubimendi and Eric García introduced on 99 minutes. The breakthrough came on 106: Nico Williams slid in Ferrán Torres to make it 1-0. Manager Lionel Scaloni was booked on 104, and Alexis Mac Allister added another Argentine caution on 111 as the match ran down to Spain's advantage.

The community backed Argentina — Spain had other ideas

This is where the story turns on its head. The futbol.so community leaned towards Argentina, with the most-chosen scoreline a 2-1 win for Scaloni's side. That tilt held across borders too: fans from Argentina, Austria and Colombia all leaned Argentina's way, some even picturing a 3-1 result.

The official forecast told a different tale, making Spain the most likely winner ahead of a draw, with an Argentina victory rated the least probable of the three outcomes. On the night it was the model, not the crowd, that read the game right. Argentina never registered a shot on target and mustered just 0.22 expected goals, and Spain's late strike honoured the numbers rather than the popular sentiment.

Video highlights

FIFA WC 2026 | Spain - Argentina 1:0 | (Finale ) | 19.07.2026.

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España vs Argentina (1-0) | Resumen y goles | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

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Spain v Argentina: FIFA World Cup 2026 Highlights Final

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FIFA Highlights Show | FINAL: Spain v Argentina

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FERRÁN al 106', ROJA campione del Mondo | Spagna-Argentina 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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Spain v Argentina - Full Post-Match Analysis | SPAIN WIN THE WORLD CUP | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Highlights | Spain 1-0 Argentina | FIFA World Cup 2026™ FINAL

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HIGHLIGHTS - Spain v Argentina | Final Ends With MAJOR Drama! | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Spain leave MetLife with a 1-0 win built on control, patience and one decisive Ferrán Torres finish. Argentina, so heavily fancied by the community, were kept quiet almost from first whistle to last and paid for a scrappy, card-strewn evening.

It was a final that rewarded the side who kept its composure across two extra periods — and one that reminded everyone that the crowd's favourite isn't always the one who lifts the moment.