Read 3 minutes20 Jul 2026 03:36 AM IST
Ferran Torres’ name will go down in Spanish football history as the Barcelona man helped Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday in the second half of extra time. It was Spain’s second World Cup title, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final in 2010.
The match ended in a goalless draw after 90 minutes, requiring extra time. Argentina were down to 10 after Enzo Fernandes was sent off in second-half stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card. Fernandez was booked for reckless play that sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air and the card came out immediately.
Another foul about two minutes after the restart allowed Lamine Yamal to win the free kick from 22 yards out. Yamal’s strike deflected off the right post and Martinez dived to put it away for his 10th save of the afternoon – the biggest ever in a World Cup final.
He jumped to his feet, punched the air and urged the crowd to get louder. The whistle blew shortly thereafter, sending the game into extra time.
Spain took 15 shots in regulation, Argentina none. Spain took nine corners, Argentina one. And somehow, such dominance was not enough for 90-plus minutes.
It was the ninth 0-0 score at halftime in 23 World Cup finals, including the 1950 Uruguay-Brazil match that was not actually the final but decided the champion.
Argentina made three changes from the starting 11 for their semi-final win over England: midfielders Rodrigo de Paul and Nico Gonzalez, along with defender Gonzalo Montiel, were omitted, while midfielders Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, along with forward Giuliano Simeone, were omitted.
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Spain kept their start to 11 since their semi-final win over France. It was the 104th and final match of the biggest ever World Cup with 48 teams played in the US, Canada and Mexico.
With more matches than any previous World Cup, more goals than any other edition – 307 and entering Sunday – it’s no surprise.
Post Malone headlined the closing ceremony, which began about 90 minutes before the start of the final and minutes after Messi and Argentina arrived at the stadium.
President Donald Trump He was also present, with plans to call him as part of the trophy presentation at the conclusion of the match.
“I’m not going to pick sides,” Trump told Fox Sports in an interview released Sunday afternoon before the finals. “I think it’s very difficult to bet against Messi. He’s great.” Argentina wore jerseys with light blue and white vertical stripes for the match, while Spain wore predominantly red navy sleeves. The crew was from Slovenia – Slavko Vincic is the referee, with Tomasz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as his assistant referees.