World Cup 2026, Messi and Argentina defeated: Spain world champion | Libero Quotidiano.it

Spain on top of the World. Luis de la Fuente’s team becomes World Champion for the second time in its history. In the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Red Fury defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Argentina was down to ten men from the end of regular time due to the expulsion of Enzo Fernandez for a double yellow card. This is Spain’s second World Cup title, after the one in 2010 in South Africa, and they received the trophy from American president Donald Trump.

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The Red Fury confirm themselves as the strongest team in the World and do so with great merit, having won practically all the matches conceding only one goal throughout the tournament and showing a sometimes dominant game. After the 2024 European Championship, Rodri and his teammates also bring home the World Cup, crowning an incredible journey under De la Fuente’s guidance. Spain also becomes the first nation to simultaneously hold the World titles in both men’s and women’s football. On the other hand, Leo Messi’s dream of leading Argentina to win his second consecutive World Cup and fourth overall ends at its peak.

The Flea tried to lead a team that appeared very tired after the battle won against England in the semifinal. In fact, South Americans were never dangerous and kept in the game only by a monumental Dibu Martinez, who in the end had to surrender to Torres’ winning strike. At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, sold out despite the astronomical ticket prices, Spain’s coach De la Fuente confirmed the same lineup that beat France in the semifinal, while Argentina had three changes with Montiel at right back, the return of De Paul in midfield, and Nico Gonzalez on the left, replacing Paredes and Giuliano Simeone. In attack for Spain there is Lamine Yamal with Dani Olmo, Baena, and Oyarzabal as the central striker.

Argentina confirmed Julian Alvarez alongside Messi, with Lautaro Martinez on the bench. In the stands, US President Donald Trump accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. For Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the entire royal family led by King Felipe VI were present. Argentine President Javier Milei was absent, having stayed home for superstition. As is tradition for major American sporting events, there was also a big show. Before the match, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson sang the American national anthem, then in the show created by Italian Marco Balich, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams took the stage to sing the official World Cup song ‘Desire’.

Earlier, American pop star Post Malone had performed. Then it was actor Tom Cruise’s turn to introduce the two finalists, after the World Cup trophy was shown to the public by two great former players of Argentina and Spain, Mario Kempes and Andres Iniesta, World Champions respectively in 1978 and 2010, along with Carlos Alcaraz and South Korean model and actress Jung Ho-yeon. Another show during halftime featured performances by Shakira, Madonna (carried onto the field by Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho), and Justin Bieber. The break lasted about 27 minutes, instead of the usual 15 as per regulations. On the field, tension between the two teams was palpable, with Spain trying to control the ball and Argentina very aggressive in midfield and sometimes foul-prone. The Red Fury were immediately dangerous after 5 minutes, when Yamal, after a one-two with Dani Olmo, challenged Dibu Martinez with a low left-footed shot to the center. Argentina responded with a counterattack by Messi, stopped on the three-quarter line by Unai Simon.

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As the minutes passed, the game began to stagnate in midfield, with both teams struggling to gain the upper hand over each other. Goalkeepers were practically inactive until the 38th minute when Spain again became dangerous with a low right-footed shot from Oyarzabal from the edge of the box, saved on the ground by Martinez. Before halftime, Cucurella also tried from outside, ball wide. Messi and Yamal, the two most awaited, have so far been well controlled by their respective markers. In Argentina, Lisandro Martinez was forced to leave due to injury, replaced by Otamendi. At halftime, Nico Gonzalez also came off, replaced by Leandro Paredes. But Spain still controlled the game, the Red Fury again dangerous with a shot from Baena from the edge of the box saved by Martinez. After Montiel was replaced by Molina in Argentina, the first changes also came in Spain with Pedri for Fabian Ruiz and Ferran Torres for Oyarzabal.

The Spanish monologue continued with Dani Olmo testing Martinez from outside the area, Argentina unable to cross their half. Then it was the newly entered Ferran Torres who challenged Martinez with a header from a Yamal cross. The defending champions seemed on the ropes but with their proverbial character, they did not give up and stayed in the game despite the physical problems forcing Romero off, replaced by Medina. Giuliano Simeone also came on for De Paul, with Scaloni effectively using all his substitutions. Spain brought on Merino and Nico Williams for Olmo and Baena. It was a genuine siege by De la Fuente’s team, with Cubarsi also trying from distance to challenge Martinez. Then Laporte with a header, again the Argentine defense saved. The finale heated up with Argentina’s only offensive raid, without result, followed by a shot from Nico Williams that challenged Martinez from outside. Then the defending champions were down to ten men due to Enzo Fernandez’s expulsion for a double yellow card, for a bad foul on Cubarsi. The last thrill was a 20-meter free kick from Yamal saved for a corner by a heroic Martinez. The match went to extra time. In extra time, the Spanish siege continued, with Dibu Martinez again saving Argentina on a dangerous cross from Pedri for Nico Williams.

The Bilbao forward then had a goal disallowed for a previous foul by Merino on Otamendi. The Arsenal playmaker shortly after missed a glaring header chance, while in Argentina the last substitution saw another defender, Senesi, come on for Alvarez with Lautaro Martinez remaining on the bench. Argentina’s resistance was now at its limit and the Argentine wall collapsed at the start of the second extra time when Ferran Torres broke the deadlock and gave Spain its second World Cup victory in history. Argentina’s attempt to react in the final moments was futile, with Messi trying to lead his team until the end with a couple of scares from missed chances by Medina (but heroic Cubarsi in the save) and Simeone. For Messi and Argentina, it is the end of a beautiful story, but on the field, the Red Fury deserved to win. Thus, after 104 matches, a World Cup ends that will be remembered more for the controversies linked to the political interference of American president Trump than for the plays of the world football stars.

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