Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final held at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. The decisive goal came in the 106th minute from substitute Ferran Torres during extra time, marking a significant moment in the tournament’s history.
The match saw Spain dominate possession and shot attempts throughout. Despite this, Argentina, with Lionel Messi, managed to hold on and push the game into extra time. Argentina was reduced to ten players after Enzo Fernandez received his second yellow card in second-half stoppage time for a challenge that sent a Spain defender to the ground.
Before the extra-time goal, Lamine Yamal had an opportunity to score from a free kick approximately 22 yards out. His shot was saved by Argentina‘s goalkeeper, who made a total of 10 saves during the match, a record for a World Cup final. Spain recorded 15 shots in regulation compared to Argentina‘s none, and also had nine corners to Argentina‘s one.
Final Match Details and Historical Context
The FIFA World Cup Final 2026 took place on Sunday, July 19, with a start time of 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT. This final match was the 104th and last game of the tournament, which featured 48 teams and was hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The tournament concluded with more matches than any previous World Cup edition.
This victory means Spain now holds both the men’s and women’s World Cup crowns simultaneously. The two nations have a balanced rivalry, having each won six of their 14 previous encounters. Their only prior World Cup meeting was in the 1966 group stage, where Argentina won 2-1. Their most recent encounter before this final was in 2018, a friendly match where Spain secured a 6-1 win.
Argentina entered the final as the defending FIFA World Cup champions from 2022, and had also won two Copa América titles. Spain, the reigning European champions, had lifted UEFA Euro 2024. Argentina reached this final after a comeback victory against England in the semifinals, while Spain advanced by defeating France, showcasing a strong defensive performance.
Celebrations and Entertainment
The event was not only a significant sporting occasion but also a major spectacle, attracting numerous celebrities from various fields. Actors such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Cillian Murphy, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Hamm, Matthew Broderick, and Sarah Jessica Parker were in attendance.
The basketball world was also well represented, with players including Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bronny James, Cade Cunningham, Cooper Flagg, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Draymond Green, Jalen Brunson, Jalen Williams, James Harden, Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant, and Tyrese Haliburton present. Tennis stars Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz also watched the match, alongside NFL figures like Eli Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr., and Saquon Barkley. Skiers Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn were also among the spectators, as were football legends such as Kaka, David Beckham, Didier Drogba, and Zinedine Zidane.
The closing ceremony, which began approximately 90 minutes before the final, featured a performance by Post Malone. The halftime show, a first for FIFA and lasting 27 minutes, included performances by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets. The day before the final, on July 18, 2026, France and England played in the World Cup Third-Place Match at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT.
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Source: fox.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
