[Breaking] Spain Defeats Argentina 1-0 to Claim First World Cup Title in 16 Years

Ferran Torres Nets Decisive Goal in Extra Time

Spain defeated defending champion Argentina to claim their second FIFA World Cup trophy, 16 years after their first victory at the 2010 South Africa tournament.

On July 20 (Korean time), at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Spain secured a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America, thanks to Ferran Torres' winning goal scored in the 1st minute of extra time. Spain's relentless attack was so dominant that Argentina only managed their first shot just before the end of extra time, with Spain finally breaking the deadlock in dramatic fashion.

Ferran Torres of Spain roars after scoring the winning goal in the 1st minute of extra time. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

By following up their UEFA Euro 2024 championship with this World Cup victory, Spain has now claimed two consecutive titles in major international tournaments. This achievement recalls their previous golden era, when they won three major tournaments in a row—UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 South Africa World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2012—for the first time in history. With their victory in this final, Spain also extended their unbeaten run in international A matches to 38 games (29 wins, 9 draws), breaking the record for the longest unbeaten streak by a European men's national team, previously held by Italy (37 matches).

Argentina aimed to become the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups, after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962), but fell short against Spain and finished as runners-up.

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