Sixteen years after Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner in Johannesburg, Spain have done it again — and this time it was Ferran Torres who wrote his name into the history books, scoring the decisive goal to see off a 10-man Argentina side and deliver Spain's second World Cup title. Result confirmed by BBC Sport and The Guardian.
Spain were dominant from the first whistle at the 2026 World Cup final, controlling the contest in the manner that has become their calling card throughout this tournament. Argentina — the defending champions, the side that arrived in North America with the weight of expectation and the memory of Qatar 2022 — found themselves reduced to 10 men during the match, a moment that effectively ended whatever hope they had of retaining the trophy.
Note: this match report is still developing. The exact circumstances of the red card and the precise details of Torres's goal are being confirmed from official sources — we will update as the full match report lands.
What is confirmed, via BBC Sport and The Guardian: Spain won, Torres scored the decisive goal, Argentina finished with 10 men, and the match went to extra time. That is enough to know how history reads tonight.
Ferran Torres has never quite shaken the reputation of a player who promises more than he delivers at the biggest moments. The Barcelona forward, who has spent much of his career operating in the shadow of Lamine Yamal and Pedri in the public imagination, stepped forward when Spain needed someone to step forward — and did it on the grandest stage the sport offers. There is no bigger answer to a question than a World Cup final goal.
The 2010 side had Xavi, Iniesta, David Villa, and a tactical revolution that changed how the world thought about football. This Spain side is different in character but no less complete — quicker in transition, more direct when the moment demands it, and built around a generation of players who grew up watching that first triumph on television.
Two World Cups. Two different eras. The same colour shirt, the same anthem, the same outcome.
Argentina will hurt. Defending champions reduced to 10 men in a final they were expected to contest on level terms — it is a brutal way for a cycle to end. For Spain, though, the cycle is just beginning. Luis de la Fuente's side have now won the 2024 European Championship and the 2026 World Cup in the space of two years. The rest of the world has been warned.
Ferran Torres did not look like a man who planned to let anyone forget this in a hurry.
Sixteen years after Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner in Johannesburg, Spain have done it again — and this time it was Ferran Torres who wrote his name into the history books, scoring the decisive goal to see off a…
Sources
The Guardian — Football
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“Stays on World Cup — different angle, same beat.”
INTFerran Torres — not Lamine Yamal, not Pedri, not the name anyone had circled — wrote the last line of the 2026 World Cup story. His goal in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium beat ten-man Argentina 1
“Stays on World Cup — different angle, same beat.”
INTFerran Torres — not Lamine Yamal, not Pedri, not the name anyone had circled — wrote the last line of the 2026 World Cup story. His goal in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium beat ten-man Argentina 1
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