Ferran Torres has fired Spain to a second men's FIFA World Cup title, scoring the only goal of the final in extra time to defeat reigning world champions Argentina 1-0 in a match that turned ugly before the final whistle.

Torres entered the pitch as a 62nd-minute replacement for Mikel Oyarzabal and needed little time to make his mark. In the 106th minute, he pounced on a close-range opportunity to register his first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and arguably the most important strike of his international career.

A final marred by controversy

The match descended into ill-tempered territory when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández received a red card for a reckless foul, a moment that tilted the contest in Spain's favour and left the South American side depleted for a significant portion of extra time.

Despite the tension, Spain held their composure to secure a victory that extended their extraordinary unbeaten run to 38 consecutive matches across all competitions — a testament to their consistency under pressure.

Pundits weigh in

Football analysts and pundits have been dissecting Spain's triumph and reviewing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a whole, with widespread praise for the European side's resilience, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing throughout the tournament. The reaction to the final has been intense, with particular debate around the officiating and Fernández's dismissal.

Spain's latest triumph confirms them as one of the dominant forces in international football, adding a second men's World Cup crown to their storied trophy cabinet and reigniting conversations about a golden generation returning to the summit of the global game.