Spain beats Argentina in extra time to win 2026 World Cup

Spain won the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time and ending the defending champion’s run at the top of international football. For fans, the result marks a new champion in the sport’s biggest tournament and gives Spain its second World Cup title, according to CNBC.

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final, CNBC reported. The match needed extra time, the added period played when a knockout game remains undecided after regulation, before Spain broke through and held Argentina scoreless.

The loss closed Argentina’s title defense and made for a painful scene for Lionel Messi. CNBC reported that Messi left the field in tears after receiving his runners-up medal, in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

Spain’s title moment

Getty Images photos from the final showed Spain’s Rodri lifting the World Cup trophy with teammates after the match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Other images captured Torres celebrating Spain’s goal and Messi during a difficult night for Argentina.

Spain’s victory gives the country another place in World Cup history after a final that CNBC described as tense and dramatic on the field. Argentina, which entered as defending champion, could not find an equalizer after Torres’ decisive strike.

Politics enters the trophy ceremony

The post-match ceremony also drew attention. CNBC reported that U.S. President Donald Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the medal and trophy presentation. The leaders of Canada and Mexico, the other co-host nations for the tournament, also attended the final.

Trump and Infantino were booed during the ceremony, according to CNBC. Getty Images photos showed Infantino and Trump with the World Cup trophy and later presenting the trophy to Rodri.

A halftime show built for a global stage

The final also featured an extended halftime show modeled on the Super Bowl format, CNBC reported. The performance was curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and included Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy.

Getty Images photos from the Topps Final Halftime Show showed Shakira performing, along with BTS members Jimin, V, J-Hope and Jung Kook onstage during the final.

CNBC also noted the emotional reach of the match beyond the stadium, with images of fans in India reacting as Argentina fell to Spain. The final delivered both the core sports story, Spain winning another World Cup, and the broader spectacle that now surrounds the world’s biggest football match.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.