Ferran Torres has etched his name into footballing folklore. Sixteen years after Andrés Iniesta’s iconic winner in Johannesburg, the Spanish forward stepped up to score the decisive, lone goal in a tight World Cup final to deliver La Roja their second world title.

Those who often lament the lack of poetic justice in modern sport can rest easy this evening. This tournament—and its showpiece final—was won by the finest team on the planet. The sheer authority and tactical composure with which Luis de la Fuente’s side first dispatched world number-one France, and now dethroned the defending champions Argentina, demands total admiration.

It was not a final for those seeking end-to-end chaos; four years ago, Argentina’s sensational six-goal thriller against France provided vastly more dynamic entertainment. Instead, this final unfolded as a stark clash of philosophies, precisely as previewed by tactical analysts before kick-off. Spain dominated territory and pressed forward, while Argentina sat deep, absorbing pressure, and—following the red card shown to Enzo Fernández—fought desperately to drag the encounter to a penalty shootout. Ultimately, their resistance crumbled.

The statistics paint a remarkable picture. It is difficult to recall another World Cup final where a finalist failed to register a single shot during ninety minutes of regulation time. Even across extra time, Argentina’s meager tally of two late, hopeful efforts in stoppage time paled in comparison to Spain’s relentless barrage of 20 shots, 12 of which forced direct saves.

Ultimately, the breakthrough was forged by De la Fuente’s bench. In the 106th minute, Lamine Yamal floated a cross from the right flank toward the far post, where Nico Williams headed the ball back into the six-yard box for substitute Ferran Torres to smash past an otherwise sensational Emiliano Martínez.

A 1-0 victory after extra time: exactly as they did 16 years ago, Spain weathered the storm to claim the ultimate prize and lift the FIFA World Cup trophy for the second time in their history.

World Cup 2026

Spain - Argentina 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Torres F., 106 (1:0)

Spain: Simón U.; Cubarsí; Porro; Laporte (Garcia E., 99); Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz (Pedri, 62); Olmo (Merino, 75); Álex Baena (Nico Williams, 75); Rodri (Zubimendi, 99); Oyarzabal (Torres F., 62); Yamal
Substitution: Pedri (from 62); Torres F. (from 62); Merino (from 75); Nico Williams (from 75); Garcia E. (from 99); Zubimendi (from 99)
Bench: Raya; García Jo.; Pubill; Grimaldo; Llorente M.; Gavi; Pino Y.; Muñoz Vic.; Iglesias

Argentina: Martinez E.; Martínez Li. (Otamendi, 44); Romero C.; Tagliafico; Montiel (Molina N., 58); Fernandez E. (till 90); De Paul; Mac Allister A.; Gonzalez N. (Paredes L., 46); Álvarez Jul. (Senesi, 102); Messi
Substitution: Otamendi (from 44); Paredes L. (from 46); Molina N. (from 58); Senesi (from 102)
Bench: Musso; Rulli; Barco; Medina F.; Lo Celso; Palacios Ex.; Nico Paz; Almada; López José; Martínez L.; Simeone G-o
Yellow Cards: Martínez Li. 41; Paredes L. 52; Fernandez E. 82, 90; Mac Allister A. 111
Red cards: Fernandez E. 90'