Result Spain 1 - 0 Argentina, Sunday, 19 July 2026, World Cup Final

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, Spain triumphed over Argentina with a score of 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup Final held at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This marks the second World Cup title for Spain, 16 years after their victory in 2010 against the Netherlands with Iniesta's goal. The Albiceleste, on the other hand, misses the chance to catch up with Brazil and Italy at four World Cups. The final assault in the last minutes of extra time wasn't enough, during which Giuliano Simeone had the opportunity for a potential equalizer at 1-1.

The match was intense and emotional, especially as the legendary Lionel Messi was seen in tears, possibly realizing this could be his final World Cup appearance. However, fans rallied around him, chanting his name to comfort him.

The decisive goal came in the 106th minute when Ferran Torres struck a powerful first-time shot into the top of the net, following a header assist from Nico Williams.

Spain certainly surprised many by defeating Argentina, who were widely considered the favorites to win the trophy. Spain controlled the game with 68% possession and significantly outshot Argentina, 20 to 3. Remarkably, Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves to keep the score level until the end of regulation.

On a less favorable note for Argentina, they ended the match with 10 players after Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card in the 90th minute, resulting in an automatic red card.

The match includes two Serie A players from Argentina: Inter forward Lautaro Martinez and Como forward Nico Paz. Here's the question that lingers: why didn't Lautaro Martinez play? From being the hero of the semifinal to a mere spectator throughout the final. Lautaro Martinez didn't step onto the pitch for even a minute in the match between Argentina and Spain. The Inter captain had secured the semifinal against England, earning a spot in the cup final, yet in the most crucial game of the tournament, he was not among the 17 players utilized by head coach Lionel Scaloni. Why? Nico Paz was also listed among the substitute.

Indeed, a high-tension final ignites the anger of Argentina at the final whistle: Paredes loses his cool! The Argentinians become furious as the celebrations begin: shoving and scuffles break out on the field, with Scaloni stepping in to calm his players.

Then, it's Sergio Ramos, the Spanish football legend, who brings the World Cup onto the field. He shares a big smile and a warm embrace with coach De La Fuente, the former Real Madrid captain. Also present on the pitch for the award ceremony are FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the President of the United States, Donald Trump.



 

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How they reached the World Cup Final

Spain made it to the final with a commanding 2-0 win against France in the semi-finals. La Roja has showcased the best defense in the tournament, allowing just one goal in seven games and focusing on maintaining possession in midfield.

Argentina, the reigning champions, navigated through a series of thrilling knockout matches, highlighted by a 2-1 comeback against England in stoppage time during the semi-finals. Their success is largely attributed to the vast experience of Lionel Messi and the late-game brilliance of players like Inter forward Lautaro Martinez.



 

Head to Head

In their history, the two nations have faced each other evenly, with a record of 6 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses for each side. This match marks their inaugural encounter in a World Cup knockout stage, and it's also their first World Cup clash since the group stage in 1966.

 

👉   Serie A players called up for  🇦🇷    the Argentina National team:

• Inter forward Lautaro Martinez.


• Como forward Nico Paz.

 

🇪🇸  Spain 1 - 0 Argentina   🇦🇷

At last, the goal came in the 106th minute! Spain regained possession and scored with Ferran Torres! From just a few steps away, the Barcelona player didn't miss, slipping the ball past the Argentine goalkeeper Dibu Martinez and allowing Spain to take the lead. The setup was perfectly executed by Nico Williams, who outsmarted Molina and assisted Ferran Torres.





 

   Spain World Cup Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona).


• Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur).


• Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Spain).


• Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta de Vigo), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

   Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).


• Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).


• Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).


• Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

 

The New York / New Jersey Stadium is ready for Spain vs England

 

Argentina's official starting lineup against Spain

 



 



 



 



 

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World Cup Final

🇪🇸  Spain 1 - 0 Argentina   🇦🇷

Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM Pacific / 3:00 PM Eastern
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium)
East Rutherford, NJ

Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Adham Makhadmeh JOR
Reserve AR: Mohammad Alkalaf JOR
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Khamis Al Marri QAT
Standby Video Assistant Referee: : Tatiana Guzman NCA
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX

⚽️     Goals:  106' Ferran Torres (S)

🟨     Yellow Cards:    41' Lisandro Martínez, 52' Leandro Paredes 83' Enzo Fernández, 112' Alexis Mac Allister

  Red Card:   93' Enzo Fernández (A)

✅      Official lineups - Tabellino:



 

Click the video to watch Spain 1 - 0 Argentina highlights on Sunday, 19 July 2026

Full 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Final Halftime Show

 

Spain vs Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Final Mini-Movie 🇪🇸🇦🇷🎥