Ferran Torres winner hands Spain World Cup after extra time over Argentina

Spain defeated Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. Lionel Messi failed to create any chances for teammates in the match. The victory extended Spain's unbeaten international run to thirty-eight games.

Spain secured its second World Cup title in a contest that saw Argentina’s talisman largely neutralised. The game required extra time to produce a winner, and Spanish defensive discipline played a central role in the outcome. Lionel Messi, typically the focal point of Argentina’s attack, was unable to influence the contest as he has done in previous tournaments. Ferran Torres ultimately supplied the decisive strike that separated the teams.

Lionel Messi experienced a rare off day, failing to create any chances for teammates across the encounter. That lack of chance creation contrasted sharply with the expectations placed on the Argentine forward entering the final. The sequence of the match repeatedly showed Spain focusing on minimising opportunities for Messi. His limited statistical output became one of the defining storylines of the final.

Spain's defensive strategy successfully contained the legendary Argentine forward throughout the match. The visitors structured their play to reduce time and space for Argentina’s principal playmaker, which curtailed the usual flow of chances. That approach held through the 90 minutes and into extra time, maintaining the low-scoring balance until the decisive moment.

Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal that decided the final in extra time, delivering the title for Spain. The strike confirmed Spain's status as two-time World Cup winners. With the win, Spain's unbeaten international run was extended to thirty-eight games, reinforcing the consistency the side has shown in recent fixtures.

The result leaves Spain as the 2026 champions and captures a historic team achievement with their second World Cup crown. For Argentina and Lionel Messi, the match represented a frustrating finale in which the usual attacking spark did not materialise. The final will be remembered for Spain's disciplined defence, Torres's decisive intervention and the end of the contest only after extra time.