Spain claims second World Cup title
Spain defeated Argentina to win its second World Cup title, with a goal from Ferran Torres in the first half of extra time. The match concluded with a 1-0 score. This victory marks Spain’s first World Cup win since 2010. The team has maintained an unbeaten streak of 38 matches, consisting of 29 wins and nine draws, which is the longest unbeaten run for any European men’s national team.
The final was characterized by Spain’s dominance, with Argentina struggling to make an impact. Argentina did not register a single shot on target during regulation time. The game saw heightened tension, particularly after Argentina’s midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card and was ejected in injury time, leading to a confrontation involving players and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.
Messi’s final World Cup appearance
The match was likely the final World Cup appearance for Lionel Messi, who has indicated this would be his last tournament. Despite his efforts, Messi was unable to secure a second consecutive World Cup title for Argentina. His final opportunity came from a corner kick with four minutes remaining in extra time, but a volley from substitute Giuliano Simeone went over the crossbar.
Messi, at 39 years old, has had a distinguished career, leading Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022 and winning Copa América titles in 2021. He has also been named Argentina’s player of the year 16 times over 19 years. His career World Cup goal tally stands at 21, placing him second behind Kylian Mbappé‘s goals.
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating it was an honor to accompany the players on their journey. Torres, who plays for Barcelona, scored his first goal of the tournament by converting a loose ball in the penalty area with a left-footed finish.
Tournament highlights and third-place match
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, delivered several memorable moments, including upsets and dramatic comebacks. The expansion of the tournament led to new teams making significant impacts, such as Cape Verde, which drew with Spain in its opener and reached the round of 32.
In the third-place playoff, England secured a 6-4 victory over France. Bukayo Saka scored three goals, completing his second hat trick for England. Other scorers for England included Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa, with Jude Bellingham sealing the win in second-half stoppage time. This result marked England’s best World Cup finish since their title win in 1966.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France in the third-place match, bringing his tournament total to 10 goals and earning him the Golden Boot as the top scorer. His career World Cup goal tally is 22. The match was the last for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after 14 years.
The tournament also showcased strong performances from other star players, including Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. Spain’s defensive strength was notable throughout the competition, conceding only one goal in eight matches, which is the fewest ever allowed by a World Cup-winning team.
The final match was held at MetLife Stadium, which also hosted the first game of the tournament on June 13th.
Source: newyorker.com