Spain are the champions of the world once more — defeating Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final to secure their second-ever World Cup title and end Lionel Messi's dream of a second consecutive triumph.

A final for the ages

The showpiece match brought an end to what had been a remarkable tournament run for Argentina, who arrived in the final as defending champions with Messi leading their charge one final time on football's grandest stage.

For Spain, the victory marks a return to the summit of world football — their first World Cup triumph since 2010, when a generation-defining squad lifted the trophy in South Africa.

Sky Sports football correspondent Rob Dorsett analysed Spain's performance across the final, highlighting how the Spanish side managed to dismantle an Argentina team that had looked formidable throughout the tournament.

Messi's curtain call

Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, had hoped to add a second World Cup winners' medal to the one he claimed in Qatar in 2022. His Argentina side pushed hard, but Spain ultimately proved too strong on the night.

The final also made history off the pitch — featuring the first-ever half-time show in the history of the FIFA World Cup, a landmark moment for the tournament as it continues to grow as a global spectacle.

Spain's triumph in context

Spain's second World Cup crown puts them among a select group of nations to have won the tournament more than once. The victory cements this generation of Spanish players among the pantheon of their country's greatest footballing achievements.

For Argentina and Messi, the defeat brings a bittersweet conclusion to what was nonetheless a memorable campaign. The defending champions gave everything in pursuit of back-to-back titles — a feat only achieved once before in World Cup history.