EXPLANATION: Why Spain’s players cut goals after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEW DELHI: Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup caught the attention of football fans across the globe. Outside of the usual scenes of joy, hugs, cheers and trophy celebrations, one moment stood out at New York’s New Jersey Stadium, officially known as MetLife Stadium. After beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win their second World Cup title, several Spain players were seen cutting pieces of the goal to take home as souvenirs.

Spain has borrowed a famous basketball tradition

The unusual celebration came after substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final in the 106th minute to seal a historic victory over defending champions Argentina.As the celebrations began, the Spanish players borrowed from one of basketball’s most famous traditions by cutting down the goal nets.The pieces of net became personal souvenirs and marked one of the greatest achievements of their careers.

Where did the tradition begin?

Net cutting is a long-standing basketball tradition that began in the US state of Indiana.In the early 1900s, winning teams began taking nets home as souvenirs to commemorate championship victories. The tradition became famous in 1947, when North Carolina State coach Everett Case celebrated his team’s Southern Conference tournament title by climbing on his players’ shoulders and cutting a section of the basket net.Case spent 23 years coaching high school basketball in his home state of Indiana, winning four state championships before joining North Carolina State in 1946.After leading NC State to the Southern Conference Tournament title in 1947, Case cut down the net as a souvenir of the victory. The gesture quickly became one of basketball’s most iconic championship traditions and is now regularly seen during the NCAA Tournament and other major competitions.Spain’s players took the tradition to football’s biggest stage, turning the goal net into a permanent reminder of their World Cup triumph at MetLife Stadium after beating Argentina in the 2026 final.

Spain dominated the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals

Spain were crowned world champions for only the second time in their history after a dominant performance against Argentina.Although the score was only 1-0, Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled the game from start to finish. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a number of excellent saves to keep his side in the match before Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro’s cross into his path.