Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday, in what proved to be one of the most one-sided finals in the tournament's history. Substitute Ferran Torres delivered the decisive blow in the second half of extra time, while a red card for Enzo Fernandez left Argentina playing the final stages with ten men.

Torres the super-sub hero

Ferran Torres entered the match from the bench and produced the moment of the tournament — a composed, clinical finish when composure was in short supply. His winner came after Nico Williams, another substitute, headed the ball back across goal for Torres to convert, capping a devastating counter move.

Williams had earlier thought he had opened the scoring, bundling the ball home only for the effort to be ruled out in controversial fashion. But he recovered to claim the decisive assist, leaving Torres as the man whose name will be etched into World Cup history as the 2026 final's match-winner.

On the opposite flank, Pedro Porro was one of Spain's standout performers across the full 120 minutes, combining effectively with Lamine Yamal and delivering the cross that created the build-up to the opener. Marc Cucurella, much as he had done at Euro 2024, raised his reputation further with another accomplished two-way performance.

Messi's last dance ends in silence

For Lionel Messi, the final offered a painful conclusion. The Argentina captain barely touched the game, failing to impose himself on proceedings in the way anyone — friend or foe — would have expected. Argentina's deeply defensive approach left him isolated, and a tournament that had promised a fairytale farewell ended with him slumped on the turf, defeated.

Whether this was Messi's final appearance at a World Cup remains to be seen, but the image of him sitting on the pitch at full time will linger long in the memory. His tournament as a whole carried moments of brilliance, even if the final offered him none.

Fernandez red card proves decisive

Argentina had managed to keep Spain at bay for the vast majority of the match — Unai Simon was barely tested until the 117th minute — but their discipline buckled at the worst moment. Enzo Fernandez, already booked for dissent, committed a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi in stoppage time and was dismissed, leaving Argentina to defend extra time a man down.

The task proved impossible. Ferran Torres made sure of it.

Substitute Leandro Paredes compounded Argentina's misery by collecting a red card after the final whistle, while Nahuel Molina was involved in unsavoury scenes as Spain celebrated, throwing a punch at Rodri during the post-match rush.

Spain's defensive masterclass

Manager Luis de la Fuente's side executed a near-perfect tactical display. Rodri marshalled the midfield with authority before being withdrawn in extra time as a precaution given his injury history. Fabian Ruiz completed 89 percent of his passes before being replaced after an hour. Young defender Pau Cubarsi — named Young Player of the Tournament — handled Argentina's occasional threat with calm beyond his years.

Emi Martinez produced several important saves to keep Argentina in the contest, but even his heroics could not prevent Torres from writing the final chapter. Spain are world champions once more.