How Spain beat Argentina to win FIFA World Cup 2026

After 39 days and 103 matches, we're down to the last two teams standing. It's Spain against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Finals. Well, there was no shortage of epic narratives in the lead up to this game. The main one being the reunion between Lionel Messi and Lamine Gamal 19 years after that photo. The celebrity count for this final in New Jersey was off the scale. Spain's royal family and prime minister were also in attendance. So the scene was set for a classic meeting between the European and South American champions. But unfortunately, the game did not live up to the height. Instead, it settled into a pattern of Spain trying to break down the Argentine defence and Argentina doing everything they could to frustrate their opponents. The defending world champions becoming the first team in 60 years not to record a single shot in the first 90 minutes of a World Cup final. This was definitely not a repeat of the final at Qatar 2022. Well, in stoppage time, arguably the turning point of the match, Senzo Fernandez saw red after picking up a second booking. It was still time for Lamine Gamal to nearly score the winner with a free kick, but Emi Martínez kept it out. So on to extra time and Spain continued to push for a goal against Ken Man Argentina and substitute Nico Williams thought he'd got it, but his goal was disallowed for a very questionable foul. Cue the Argentina referee conspiracy theories. But Nico Williams wasn't done. In the 106th minute, his brilliant knockdown gave another substitute, Fernán Torres, the chance to smash home the winner. The goal greeted with predictable delirium back home in Spain. The full-time whistle then saw Argentina finally show some fight, although their players may have taken that a little too literally. No fighting in Spain, just partying all over the country from Madrid to Barcelona and even further afield to London. So Spain lift their second World Cup and I'm sure the celebrations may last for a couple more days yet. Don't forget you can catch all the World Cup highlights and reaction on aljazeera.com and we're on Instagram. Follow AJEsports for the latest World Cup news, analysis and highlights.