FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain become first world champion to achieve incredible feat

NEW DELHI: Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was about much more than lifting the trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s side created history by becoming only the fourth team to win the World Cup without trailing a single minute during the tournament.Before Spain, only Italy (1938), Italy (1982) and Germany (1990) achieved this. La Roja also set another remarkable record. They became the first team to win the World Cup, conceding only one goal during the entire tournament.Spain sealed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win over defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

How Spain’s invincibility developed

Spain opened their campaign with a surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup debutants Cabo Verde despite creating 27 chances. They then beat Saudi Arabia 4–0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal to become Spain’s second-youngest goalscorer.A hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay, thanks to a goal from Alex Baena, helped Spain top the group.In the knockout rounds, Spain beat Austria 3-0, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro adding another. Goalkeeper Unai Simon also broke Walter Zenga’s World Cup record by going 519 minutes without conceding.Spain then beat Portugal 1-0 after substitute Mikel Merino scored the winner, set up by Ferran Torres.In the quarter-finals, Merino struck again as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 after Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring.Spain produced one of their best semi-final performances to beat France 2-0 thanks to a penalty from Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Porro.Finally, Torres’ extra-time strike against Argentina capped a memorable campaign as Spain lifted the World Cup for the second time while setting two extraordinary records.

Ferran Torres scores the winning goal

The decisive moment came in the 106th minute. Argentina were down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.Lamine Yamal started a move down the right before finding Pedro Porro. The full-back’s cross was about to go in, but substitute Nico Williams headed it back into the middle of the pitch. Another substitute, Ferran Torres, met the ball perfectly with his left foot and beat Emiliano Martínez.It was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, while Argentina still failed to manage an attempt on goal.After scoring, Torres celebrated by kicking the corner flag before being showered by his teammates.Torres said of his game-winning goal: “I think at the end of the day it was a goal that 47 million people scored,” Torres said. “I feel very happy. I was heavily criticized during the World Cup, but I think it was written in fate and things. But I always have that chance, that possibility to continue and God gives it to those who believe in it, who deserve it the most.”Torres almost scored again later in extra time but was ruled out for offside as Spain held on to become world champions.