Ferran Torres goal wins World Cup as Spain overcome negative Argentina

Follow the World Cup final live here
Ferran Torres goal wins World Cup as Spain overcome negative Argentina

James Cox

A victory for football as Ferran Torres' goal secures the World Cup for a Spanish side that dominated a negative Argentina.

Argentina only registered three shots to Spain's 20, but somehow took the game to extra-time. Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow before the end of normal time, and Spain continued to push for the winner.

Nico Williams had a goal disallowed, before his header set up Torres for the winner. Torres had the ball in the net again but it was ruled out for offside.

In ugly full time scenes, Leandro Paredes threw punches at his opponents, he had somehow stayed on the pitch despite consitent fouling.

Still, that won't take the gloss off Spain's second World Cup win.

_____________________________________

125 mins

Spain 1 - 0 Argentina 

Spain are the world champions!

121 mins

Argentina have suddenly started playing, brilliant chance for Simeone from Messi's corner, but he fires it over the bar to Spain's relief.

120 mins 

Five minutes to come at the end of extra-time!

119 mins 

Brilliant chance for Argentina, Senesi puts it wide. One last chance from a corner to come...

115 mins

Hard to see a way back for Argentina, who are yet to register a shot on target.

114 mins

Argentina should be down to 10 as Paredes makes his seventh foul.

113 mins 

Torres scores again, but it's ruled marginally offside.

106 mins 

GOAL! 

Williams heads the ball back to Ferran Torres who fires it into the back of the net.

 

Nico Williams shoots but the goal is ruled out for foul in build-up.

Lamine Yamal of Spain reacts with Nicolas Tagliafico. Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images

Extra-time half-time: Spain 0 - 0 Argentina

102 mins

Merino heads just wide after a pinpoint cross from Williams.

95 mins 

Williams has the ball in the net, but it's disallowed due to a foul from Merino in the buildup.

94 mins

Spain have had 16 attempts on goal... Argentina... o.

93 mins 

CHANCE! Williams' point blank header, after a lovely pass from Pedri, is saved by Martinez.

91 mins

We're back in action.

Lamine Yamal of Spain takes a free. Photo: Kevin C Cox/Getty Images

Referee Slavko Vincic shows a red card to Enzo Fernandez. Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images

Full-time: Spain 0 - 0 Argentina 

Despite dominating the 97 minutes, Spain haven't been able to find a way through. Argentina have been clinging on for most of the game and will be doing so with 10 men in extra-time after Enzo Fernandez was sent off.

97 mins

Martinez just gets his hand to a brilliant free-kick from Lamine Yamal.

92 mins

RED CARD! 

Enzo Fernandez ploughs into Cubasi and receives his second yellow after being booked for dissent earlier. He can have no complaints.

92 mins

A very rare Argentinian attack ends with Williams shooting but Martinez saves.

90 mins

Four minutes of additional time...

88 mins

Spain are camped on the edge of the Argentinian box as the game enters its final moments.

86 mins

Ferran Torres volleys the ball wide after a brilliant past from Merino.

82 mins

Enzo Fernandez booked for abusing the referee after he claimed he was fouled by Rodri, it was clearly not a foul despite his protests.

80 mins

Laporte header from point blank range saved after a cross from Pedri.

77 mins

Cubasi shoots from distance, awkward save from Martinez.

76 mins

Pedri shoots from the edge of the box, comfortable save from Martinez. However, Argentina are anything but comfortable as Spain continue to apply pressure.

74 mins

Nico Williams and Mikel Merino come on for Spain, replacing Olmo and Baena. These are both big goal threats.

73 mins

Spain looking nervous in the last few minutes. Despite their dominance, they haven't been able to find a breakthrough.

65 mins

Argetina still havent's registered a shot on goal.

56 mins

Spain really on top here, but still struggling to create clear cut chances.

54 mins

Brilliant exchange between Ruiz and Oyarzabal that is foiled by the Argentinian defence.

51 mins 

Paredes booked as both sides are involved in a large scuffle following a foul on Rodri.

46 mins 

The second half is unerway.

Half-time: Spain 0 - 0 Argentina

Spain have dominated possession without really worrying Argentina. The best chance fell to Lamine Yamal early on, with Emiliano Martinez making a good save. Lisandro Martinez was forced off due to injury, with Nicolas Otamendi replacing him.

45 mins

Four minutes of additional time.

Lisandro Martinez is forced off due to injury. Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images

43 mins

Substitution: Lisandro Martinez replaced by Nicolas Otamendi.

Disappointment for the Manchester United defender as he's forced off due to injury.

42 mins 

Marc Cucurella shoots from a good position but it's comfortably wide. 

40 mins 

The first yellow card of the game goes to Lisandro Martinez for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal.

37 mins

The Spanish fans are comfortably outnumbered by Argentinian supporters, but they are making their presence felt.

30 mins

A very finely balanced game so far, Spain have been slightly on top.

Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri controls the ball past Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi and Spain's midfielder #08 Fabian Ruiz during the 2026 World Cup final match. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

24 mins

First hydration break with the temperature in New Jersey standing at 27 degrees. Probably a good time for the break as the game's early pace has worn off.

21 mins

First real look at Lionel Messi, as his attempted through ball is intercepted.

14 mins

A filthy challenge from Alexis Mac Allister on Dani Olmo. The Liverpool midfielder is very lucky to avoid a booking. 

13 mins

Spain are still dominating possession, with Rodri dictating the pace of the game from midfield.

9pm 

US president Donald Trump looks to be enjoying himself, alongside first lady Melania Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Kick-off was delayed by six minutes due to security surrounding the president's arrival.

6 mins

Spain on top in the early stages, playing some excellent football.

5 mins

More of this please... end to end already as Unai Simon has to come out from his box to intercept a counterattack which Lionel Messi nearly took advantage of.

4 mins

First big chance! A brilliant opportunity for Lamine Yamal, with Emiliano Martinez making a fine save.

3 mins 

Spain retaining possession well thus far.

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Argentina and Spain face off in the World Cup final in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, follow the action here.

Kick off is 8pm Irish time, as Argentina try to recapture the World Cup title after a win four years ago.

Pre-game ceremonies are currently ongoing ahead of the kick-off, while there will be a controversial half-time show for the first time.

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) arrives prior to the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. Photo: Timothy A Clary/AFP via Getty Images

US First Lady Melania Trump speaks with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum (C-L)as US President Donald Trump looks on ahead of the 2026 World Cup football final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026. Photo: Mandel Ngan/ AFP via Getty Images

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

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