Spain rewrote history as they clinched their second FIFA World Cup title after a wait of 16 years. Their victory was built on an impressive defense, not just in the final but throughout the tournament. La Roja edged out Argentina 1-0 in the additional extra time, thanks to a brilliant goal by Ferran Torres.
After intense 104 days of football drama, Spain and Argentina faced each other in the final at MetLife Stadium. Lionel Scaloni’s side entered the final as the favorites, having gone unbeaten throughout the tournament. But when it mattered most, the competition’s most prolific attack was silenced, as Argentina failed to score and fell short on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Spain had such an impressive defense that they conceded only 1 goal in the tournament, which came during their quarter-final clash against Belgium.
World Cup winners who conceded fewest goals
| TEAM | GOAL | YEAR |
| Spain | 1 | 2026 |
| Spain | 2 | 2010 |
| Italy | 2 | 2006 |
| France | 2 | 1998 |
| Brazil | 3 | 1994 |
| England | 3 | 1966 |
| Italy | 3 | 1934 |
How did Spain score the winning goal in the World Cup final?
After dominating for most of the match, Spain finally got their deserved goal in extra time. Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final in the 106th minute, guiding the ball into the net after Nico Williams flicked on Pedro Porro’s cross. That strike was enough to hand Spain a 1-0 victory over Argentina.
Spain was in full control, and they showcased pure dominance throughout the match. They controlled possession, created far more chances, and kept Argentina pinned back for long periods. The only reason the score remained level until extra time was Martínez, who produced a total of 11 saves – which is the most in a World Cup final. One of his best moments came early in extra time when he denied Nico Williams with an outstanding stop.
The match unfolded exactly as many expected. Spain dominated the ball and dictated the tempo, while Argentina waited for an opportunity to release Lionel Messi on the counter. That approach had worked earlier in the tournament, with the 39-year-old inspiring late victories against Egypt and England. But against Spain, Argentina looked different and under immense pressure.
In fact, Argentina didn’t manage a single shot until the 115th minute – the latest first shot ever recorded by a team in a FIFA World Cup final. It summed up just how dominant Spain were throughout the contest.
The final also became a physical battle, with referee Slavko Vinčić allowing play to flow and avoiding unnecessary whistles. However, deep into injury time, Enzo Fernández brought down Pau Cubarsí with a rash hit, leaving the referee with no option but to show him a second yellow card and send him off. By then, though, Spain had already done enough to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
Spain scripts history with historic World Cup win
Spain’s hard-fought victory capped off a remarkable run, adding the FIFA World Cup title to the UEFA European Championship they won two years ago. It also marked the second time in history that La Roja have held both trophies at the same time, having first achieved the feat after winning the 2010 World Cup as reigning European champions.
The 2026 World Cup produced plenty of unforgettable moments, dramatic comebacks, and thrilling matches. But the final itself was far more one-sided than expected. Spain dominated from start to finish, controlling possession, creating the better chances, and never allowing Argentina to settle into the game. After also outclassing pre-tournament favourites France in the semi-finals, Spain left no doubt that they deserved to lift football’s biggest prize.
Also Read: Top 5 Youngest Goal Scorers in FIFA World Cup History
