Spain dethroned Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Ferran Torres troubles Messi’s ten-man squad in extra time

Spain celebrates with the trophy after the World Cup final against Argentina. (AP photo) Spain claimed their second World Cup title after Ferran Torres hit a late extra-time winner to break Argentina’s resistance in a dramatic finale. Lionel Messi’s 10-man squad was not enough to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup crown.Spain finally found a breakthrough after a tense and dramatic match as Torres scored in the 106th minute to give La Roja a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina and deny Messi another World Cup fairytale.After 105 minutes of relentless pressure, missed chances and heroic Argentine resistance, Torres struck the decisive blow just 37 seconds after the restart for the second period of extra time.The goal came from a brilliant team. Pedro Porro sent a deep cross into the box, Nico Williams headed the ball back into the box and Torres arrived late on to curl the finish into the roof of the net.Spanish celebrations erupted as Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup were finally ended.The goal was a reward for Spain’s dominance throughout the competition. La Roja controlled possession, created most of the chances and repeatedly tested Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who kept his team alive in the final with a record performance.Argentina, reduced to 10 men in normal time after Enzo Fernandez’s late red card, were left to chase the game with a numerical disadvantage and little attacking threat.

Messi’s World Cup final ends in heartbreak as Argentina struggle with 10 men

The final looked set to go to penalties after both teams failed to break the deadlock over 90 minutes and the first half of extra time.Spain even saw a goal disallowed earlier in extra time when Nico Williams found the net, but the referee ruled that Mikel Merino had fouled Nicolas Otamendi before the end.However, Argentina’s resistance suffered a major blow before extra time when Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.The midfielder, who scored Argentina’s equalizer in the semi-final win over England, protested the decision, but referee Slavko Vincic did not hesitate.With 10 players on the pitch, Argentina were forced into a defensive approach. Coach Lionel Scaloni even replaced Julian Alvarez with defender Marcos Senesi as Spain continued to push forward.Defeat ended Argentina’s dream of a fourth World Cup title and denied Messi the chance to lift the trophy for a second consecutive tournament.Messi, playing in what was widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, struggled to influence the match as Spain’s midfield and defense successfully contained the Argentine superstar.The defeat also ended Argentina’s remarkable run as reigning champions after a dramatic penalty shootout win over France in the 2022 final in Qatar.Spain, meanwhile, capped the revival of a golden era by securing a second World Cup title after a famous triumph in 2010 in South Africa.The victory also capped an extraordinary tournament for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who became the first player as a teenager to appear in a UEFA European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final.