Torres extra-time strike hands Spain a second World Cup; Argentina fall 0-1

Spain claimed their second World Cup title after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 final, with Ferran Torres producing the decisive strike in the 106th minute. Lionel Messi’s attempt to win back-to-back world crowns ended in heartbreak as Argentina fell short in extra time.

The tournament finale culminated in a narrow scoreline: 0-1 to Spain following extra time. Argentina’s captain and talisman, Lionel Messi, was left visibly distraught after the defeat. The Argentine Football Association posted an emotional message for their leader that read "Your tears are our tears, Captain". For many observers, the result marked the close of a significant era in Argentinian football history.

Ferran Torres supplied the lone goal shortly after the hour mark of extra time, converting in the 106th minute to separate the sides. That strike proved the match-winner and ultimately delivered Spain the trophy. The slim margin underlined how tightly contested the final proved to be throughout regulation and into extra time.

Argentina had been seeking to retain the World Cup following their prior success, and Messi’s personal ambition to secure consecutive titles ended with the defeat. The emotional response from the team and fans was immediate, and the Argentine Football Association’s tribute echoed national sentiment. The short statement — "Your tears are our tears, Captain" — captured the affection and solidarity felt toward Messi.

Spain’s victory adds a second World Cup crown to their history and concludes that tournament chapter with a single decisive moment. Torres’s 106th-minute goal will be remembered as the pivotal play that decided the final. For Argentina, the narrow loss provides a stark endpoint to the campaign and leaves the legacy of the recent era open to reflection.

Players and supporters on both sides experienced the intensity of the occasion, but it was Spain who lifted the trophy after extra time. The match’s outcome — a 0-1 extra-time result — ensures the 2026 World Cup will be recalled for its dramatic finish and the end of a notable period in Argentinian football history.