Spain captured their second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday, defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 in a tense final at MetLife Stadium before a crowd of more than 82,000 fans. The victory capped a dominant tournament for La Roja, who controlled possession and dictated play throughout the knockout stages.
First-half strikes decide it
Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 34th minute, slotting home after a clever through ball from Rodri. Pedro Porro doubled Spain's lead just before halftime with a stunning strike from outside the box that left阿根廷 goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with no chance. Argentina emerged with renewed energy after the break, and Lautaro Martínez pulled one back in the 58th minute, heading in a cross from Nicolás Tagliafico. But Spain's defense held firm, with Unai Simón making several saves to preserve the lead.
Rodri takes center stage
Spain's midfield anchor Rodri was named Man of the Match after controlling the tempo of the final and completing 93% of his passes. The Manchester City star has emerged as the defining midfielder of his generation, and his performance in the final cemented his place among the game's elite. At 17, Lamine Yamal became the youngest player ever to feature in a World Cup final.
Messi's final bow
The defeat marked the end of Lionel Messi's World Cup journey. The 39-year-old, who led Argentina to glory in 2022, was visibly emotional at the final whistle. He received a standing ovation from both sets of fans as he left the pitch. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted across North America, was the first 48-team World Cup and featured breakout performances from Cape Verde and Morocco, who both reached the knockout stages for the first time.