Spain finally found the breakthrough in the second half of extra time after Ferran Torres capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area to volley past Emiliano Martinez. The goal came after sustained pressure from La Roja, who had dominated possession and created the better chances throughout the contest.
Argentina’s task became even harder after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence. Despite a resilient defensive display and a string of crucial saves from Martinez that kept the holders in the contest, Lionel Scaloni’s side failed to mount a meaningful response with 10 men.
The victory hands Spain their second FIFA World Cup title and ends Argentina’s reign as world champions. After 120 minutes of tactical football, Martinez’s heroics and several missed opportunities, it was Torres’ extra-time strike that separated the two sides on football’s biggest stage.
20 – Through 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi and 🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal, it will be the first time in a @FIFAWorldCup final that there are starters on opposite sides separated in age by 20+ years (20 years, 19 days).
Lineage. pic.twitter.com/kIXMZvGQLI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 19, 2026
Here are the lineups for the match.
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Spain: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Finals | Argentina vs Spain | HIGHLIGHTS
3.47 am: Live updates to this match have ended.
3.32 am: Full-time. Spain seizes their second star
Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike proved the difference as La Roja edged 10-man Argentina 1-0 at the MetLife Stadium to lift their second FIFA World Cup title, ending the defending champions’ reign.
Spain have added another star above their crest 🌟#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/sFvm9NE2Lz
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
3.13 am: GOAL! Spain gets ahead
A juicy ball inside the penalty box was kept in play by Williams. Torres finds the loose ball and fires in a volley! At last, Spain breaks the deadlock! 1-0.
3.03 am: Merino misses a SITTER!
A brilliant ball from the left edge of the penalty box lands right onto Merino’s head. He MISSES it from a close distance. HOW ON EARTH! Still 0-0.
2.58 am: Spain SCORES! But DISALLOWED
Nico Williams pounces on a free ball and slots it home. But Merino had fouled Otamendi. GOAL DISALLOWED! Sheer drama.
2.54 am: MARTINEZ AGAIN!
A brilliant through ball from Pedri finds Williams with a free header. He sublimely directs it to the bottom corner, BUT Martinez with a strong right-hand save! Argentina is still clinging on!
2.46 am: Full time. World Cup final heads to extra time
Ninety minutes could not separate Spain and Argentina as the FIFA World Cup final remains locked at 0-0. Despite Spain’s dominance in possession and Argentina playing the closing stages with 10 men, neither side found the breakthrough, sending the final into extra time.
Spain and Argentina are headed to extra time. ⏱️#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/9niLV3DvPE
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
2.45 am: WHAT A SAVE from Martinez
Torres earns a free kick at the edge of the box. Yamal steps up to take a brilliant curler to the left of Martinez, who gave a full stretch to keep it 0-0.
2.40 am: Enzo SENT OFF!
Enzo gets a second yellow after a challenge on Cubarsi. He is OFF! Argentina is down to 10 men.
2.30 am: Enzo booked for dissent
A slight shove and Enzo Fernandez makes the most of it. The referee plays advantage for Spain, but Enzo’s theatrics earn him a yellow card.
2.24 am: Martinez with a double-handed SAVE
Cubarsi takes a shot from distance, but Martinez parried it away with a double-handed save. Argentina is now clinging to it!
2.13 am: BEST chance for Spain
Yamal manages to go past defenders and fires a cross with his weaker foot to Torres, who heads the ball straight to Martinez from a close distance. LUCKY for Argentina. It’s still 0-0.
2.09 am: Double tactical change for Spain
Ruiz and Oyarzabal make way for Pedri and Torres.
2.05 am: Another change for Argentina
Montiel, who made a crucial interception, makes way for Molina.
2.01 am: Spain with a brilliant string of passes
Spain with a brilliant run after a combination of mouth-watering passes. Otamendi, however, makes the final clearance. La Roja knocking at the door.
1.57 am: YELLOW card for Paredes
Tensions are flaring after Paredes pushed Olmo. The Argentine midfielder picks up a YELLOW card.
1.53 am: Baena with a weak shot
Spain breaks after hijacking the ball in the final third of the opposition. Baena makes room for the shot, but a weak shot and a comfortable SAVE from Martinez.
1.52 am: Second-half kicks off
Argentina and Spain are underway for the next 45 minutes after a prolonged half-time due to the show. La Albiceleste makes an interesting substitution as Paredes replaces Gonzalez.
Madonna, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS sharing the same stage at the World Cup Final 🎵
Rate the first-ever halftime show! 👇 pic.twitter.com/du4XA7KXYX
— GOAL (@goal) July 19, 2026
1.25 am: Half-time. It’s 0-0.
Spain and Argentina head into the break locked at 0-0 after a tactical first half. Messi has largely stayed off the ball, while Yamal has had his moments with flashes of individual brilliance, but neither side has found the breakthrough.
1.20 am: Substitution for Argentina
Lisandro Martinez makes way for Otamendi.
Lisandro Martínez’s World Cup is over after coming off injured in the 44th minute of the final 😔 pic.twitter.com/QbfKjWiVjQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 19, 2026
1.19 am: Cucurella fires it WIDE
Cucurella fancies one from distance but fires it WIDE. Spain is all over Argentina till 42 minutes. They are inching closer with each passing minute.
1.14 am: Oyarzabal fires one straight at the keeper
A beautiful pass and play from Spain finds Oyarzabal at the edge of the box. He takes a touch before firing a rifle shot straight at Emi Martinez. Routine save from him.
1.10 am: Cucurella with a brilliant run. But OFFSIDE
A defence-splitting run from Cucurella sees him open on the left flank. He tries to cut inside with a cross, but is cleared away. The flag is up anyway. Would not have been counted. GAME ON!
1.00 am: It’s 0-0 in first hydration break
Spain enjoys most of the ball as Argentina is yet to make a mark in the match. It’s 0-0 in the first hydration break.
1 – Lionel Messi recorded just one touch in the opening 15 minutes of this FIFA World Cup Final – the kick-off.
One. pic.twitter.com/qen8el9GpB
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) July 19, 2026
12.51 am: Spain dominates with possession
Fifteen minutes into the game, and Spain has dominated Argentina till now with 68% possession.
12.47 am: CORNER for Spain
A deadly cross from Ruiz was intercepted by Martinez in the Argentine D-box. The ball goes off the line for a corner to Spain.
12.40 am: Yamal comes close
Spain with the first attack. A beautiful through ball to Yamal inside the penalty box. He takes a touch before positioning himself to his left foot, but fires straight at the goalkeeper.
12.36 am: Kick off. FIFA World Cup final gets underway
The wait is over. Spain and Argentina are underway at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, with football’s biggest prize on the line.
Spain are chasing a second FIFA World Cup title, while Argentina are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the trophy.