Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final did far more than add another trophy to La Roja’s cabinet. It created one of the most remarkable milestones in football history.

With the match deadlocked after 90 minutes at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, striking in the 106th minute to settle a tense contest and crown the Europeans world champions.

The triumph etched Spain into the record books as the first country ever to simultaneously hold both the FIFA Men’s World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.

Spain’s women had lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, defeating England 1-0 in the final. Three years later, the men’s team followed suit by overcoming reigning Copa América champions Argentina to complete an unprecedented global double.

The achievement underlines Spain’s remarkable football renaissance across both the men’s and women’s games, showcasing the depth of the country’s talent development and football philosophy.

No nation—not even traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, Italy, France or Argentina—had previously managed to reign over both the men’s and women’s world championships at the same time.

The victory also completed an extraordinary sequence for Spain. Having entered the tournament as reigning UEFA European champions, La Roja added the FIFA World Cup to their collection, reinforcing their status as the world’s leading football nation in 2026.

BET9JA FACT FILE

• Champions: Spain
• Final Score: Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time)
• Winning Goal: Ferran Torres (106′)
• Historic First: Spain became the first nation to hold both the FIFA Men’s and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.
• Women’s World Champions: Spain (2023)
• Men’s World Champions: Spain (2026)
• Another Milestone: Spain also became reigning UEFA European champions and FIFA World Cup winners at the same time, completing a historic era of dominance.

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By Kunle Solaja, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

“Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” may be one of the country’s most celebrated songs, but on Sunday night outside MetLife Stadium, its famous refrain seemed impossible to obey.

As Spain celebrated a historic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, one middle-aged Argentine supporter embodied the heartbreak of millions back home.

The devastated fan, accompanied by a friend, walked slowly away from the stadium, unable to hold back his tears. He sobbed continuously as thousands of jubilant Spanish supporters celebrated around him and fellow Argentines filed quietly towards the exits.

His companion did everything possible to shield him from public attention, repeatedly stepping in front of photographers eager to capture the raw emotion of the moment. But the grief was impossible to hide.

For Argentina, the defeat meant more than losing a football match. It denied the Albiceleste the chance to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title, ending a dream that had inspired their supporters throughout the tournament.

Fighting back tears, the fan paused only briefly to speak.

He lamented the enormous personal sacrifice he had made to witness what he had hoped would be another historic Argentine triumph.

He spoke of the money he had spent to make the journey and the eight-hour trip he undertook to reach New York for football’s greatest occasion, only to leave with memories of heartbreak instead of celebration.

His words were few, frequently interrupted by emotion.

Around him, the contrast could not have been sharper. Spanish fans sang, danced and waved their national flags, while many Argentine supporters walked away in reflective silence, still struggling to come to terms with the end of their country’s reign as world champions.

Football has long been described as a game of joy and sorrow, and nowhere was that more evident than outside MetLife Stadium. While Spain celebrated the dawn of a new era, one grieving supporter became the human face of Argentina’s shattered dream.

His tears told a story that statistics never could—a story of hope, sacrifice, unwavering belief and the cruel reality that only one team can leave the World Cup carrying the trophy.

As he disappeared into the New Jersey night, still comforted by his companion, the echoes of celebration from inside the stadium served as a painful reminder of how close Argentina had come to football immortality.

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Spain’s triumphant FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign received further recognition on Sunday as midfielder Rodri was crowned the tournament’s best player, headlining the list of official FIFA award winners announced after the final.

Rodri, who inspired Spain to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, claimed the prestigious adidas Golden Ball, awarded by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) to the outstanding player of the tournament.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi finished second to receive the Silver Ball, while France striker Kylian Mbappe was awarded the Bronze Ball.

Although he missed out on the Golden Ball, Mbappe emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer, winning the adidas Golden Boot after netting 10 goals and providing four assists in seven matches.

Messi, who finished with eight goals and four assists, claimed the Silver Boot, while England midfielder Jude Bellingham took the Bronze Boot after scoring seven goals and adding one assist.

Spain completed an impressive haul of individual honours as goalkeeper Unai Simón was named winner of the adidas Golden Glove, awarded to the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

The newly crowned world champions also celebrated another success with defender Pau Cubarsi receiving the Young Player Award presented by Aramco. The Barcelona centre-back, eligible for the award as a player born on or after January 1, 2005, was recognised by the FIFA Technical Study Group as the outstanding young performer of the competition.

The FIFA Fair Play Trophy presented by McDonald’s went to the Netherlands in recognition of their exemplary disciplinary record throughout the tournament.

The awards capped a memorable World Cup for Spain, who not only lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy for the second time in their history but also became the first nation to hold both the FIFA Men’s and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Award Winners

adidas Golden Ball

• Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
• Silver Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Bronze Ball: Kylian Mbappe (France)

adidas Golden Boot

• Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France) – 10 goals, 4 assists
• Silver Boot: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals, 4 assists
• Bronze Boot: Jude Bellingham (England) – 7 goals, 1 assist

adidas Golden Glove

• Unai Simon (Spain)

Young Player Award presented by Aramco

• Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

FIFA Fair Play Trophy presented by McDonald’s

• Netherlands

 

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