Spain Takes Argentina & World Cup

     Inter Miami CF midfielder Lionel Messi and Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in added extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday at at New York/New Jersey Stadium. It was the second World Cup title for Spain. Messi was the second player ever to participate in three World Cup Final games, which is tied with Cafu of Brazil.

     Argentina failed to become the first country to capture back-to-back World Cup championships since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. They played in the World Cup Final for the third time in the last four tournaments. Argentina is now tied for second all-time with seven World Cup Final appearances

     Spain won their second World Cup title in their history. They captured their only championship in 2010. Spain now has a 38-game unbeaten streak with the victory.

      It was the first time a World Cup Final match had the reigning European champion Spain and the reigning South American champion Argentina face off. Spain is the third squad to be a European and World Cup champion at the same time.

     Spain became the second European nation to win the World Cup in the Western Hemisphere. Germany accomplished it in Brazil back in 2014. 

     There was no scoring between both teams in the first half and the second half of play. Enzo Fernandez received his second yellow card of the contest for a red card during stoppage time at the conclusion of the second half. Argentina had to play with just 10 players for the remainder of the game.

     In added extra time, Spain made it 1-0 in the 106th minute. Ferran Torres volleyed in a left-footed shot from nine yards away.