Spain won the 2026 World Cup as Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina in the final. After 90 scoreless minutes, Torres delivered the decisive goal in extra time and returned the men’s world title to Spain for the first time since 2010.

What happened

Spain and Argentina remained level throughout regulation, with neither side finding a breakthrough before the final moved into extra time. Torres changed the match in the 106th minute, scoring the goal that ultimately separated the teams and decided the championship.

Argentina entered the final as the defending World Cup champion but could not extend its reign. Spain protected its one-goal advantage after taking the lead and closed out a 1-0 result on the sport’s biggest stage.

Why it matters

The victory completed an international double for Spain after its triumph at Euro 2024. Spain now holds both the European and world championships, turning continental success into the country’s first men’s World Cup title in 16 years.

It is Spain’s second men’s world championship overall, joining the title won in 2010. The result also ended Argentina’s bid to repeat as champion, with extra time determining the winner after a final that remained scoreless through the opening 90 minutes.

By the numbers

Spain won five knockout matches on its way to the trophy, beginning with a 3-0 victory over Austria. It then defeated Portugal 1-0, Belgium 2-1 and France 2-0 before finishing the run with another 1-0 win against Argentina.

Across those five matches, Spain recorded three victories without conceding: against Austria, Portugal and France. The final followed the same pattern, with Spain keeping Argentina scoreless and requiring only Torres’ extra-time goal to claim the title.

What to watch next

Spain will carry both the European and world titles into the Euro 2028 cycle. That status establishes a clear standard for the next phase, with Spain moving forward as the reigning champion of the two major international tournaments in its current cycle.

The World Cup triumph gives Spain another defining result after Euro 2024 and its 2010 global title. For Argentina, the 1-0 defeat closes its defense of the championship after a final decided by a single moment in extra time.