Spain wins World Cup 2026!

It went into 30 minutes of extra time, but the European champions Spain came out the world champions, beating Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey to win World Cup 2026, which took place in America, Mexico and Canada.

Spain deserved to win, playing the better football and keeping possession of the ball. At times, it seemed Spain was overly technical and wanted to walk the ball into the goal. There were hardly any shots outside the box.

Argentina tried to stifle Spain, not allow its fluid possession game to impose itself.

Messi didn’t have a touch of the ball in the opening 15 minutes and seemed absent. Argentina let Spain come onto them and was looking to catch the European Champions on the break. 

Again Marc Cucurella and Rodri were outstanding for Spain. Rodri has made the most passes of any player in the tournament, and again, he bossed the game.

The World Cup final was not a good game to watch; it was more a battle of attrition, a far contrast from the open, attacking football on show yesterday in the third-place contest between England and France.

For the opening 80 minutes, Spain had twenty shots on target, Argentina had none.

With Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez getting a red card, it was always going to be an uphill task for the winners of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Messi was not a sensation in this game.  As it looked like going into extra time, with no goals, the game, to be honest, got a bit boring.

MetLife Stadium was packed, and a host of celebrities attended the match. The half-time show that went on for half an hour failed to excite and will not be memorable. Justin Bieber came on and looked like a down-on-his-luck busker.

Some young boys doing K-Pop music tried but had no flavour. Let’s hope FIFA doesn’t try this American football thing again. 

Spain brought on Ferran Torres and Nico Williams to get over the line, and it seemed to do the trick. Williams scored a goal, which was disallowed for no apparent reason. The referee didn’t even make a check with VAR. Williams had a clear, legitimate opportunity to score, and the goal should have stood.

Who was outstanding for Argentina was goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who time and time again, made saves that kept Argentina in the game. He deserved to be Man of the Match. 

Argentina, though thoroughly outplayed, were obstinate and kept Spain out.

Spain were the better side, and it was Nico Williams quick thinking to back head the ball into Argentina’s box for Ferran Torres to latch onto it and shoot past a flailing Emiliano Martinez.

With ten minutes to go, Argentina crowded Spain’s box with Messi pulling the strings. Argentina showed Spain a lot of respect. The South Americans did not come to this final with the fire in the belly they had for England, but that was about antipathy and long-harboured resentments. Argentina wanted to prove a point and set about downing the Three Lions.

Today was a different kind of battle, one where Argentina bled out by a thousand cuts. Spain’s precision passing, positioning and transitional play was just too good. 

Spain held on and has now won two World Cups. Spain won in South Africa back in 2010 with a fantastic side, many of whom were there to watch this generation emerge triumphant. 

After the game, tempers flared over with some Argentina players looking to mix it up with the victorious Spanish players. It was ugly and not a good advertisement for the game. FIFA needs to look into the matter.

After the medal ceremony and facing disappointed supporters, Messi burst into tears. Now 39, will we see the little Maestro again at the World Cup? Probably not. This was his last hurrah. He had a fantastic tournament and must now content himself playing in America’s underwhelming football league for Miami.

Spain’s coach, 65-year-old Luis de la Fuente, must be praised for putting together a terrific team that continues to win major titles. Spain conceded only one goal at this World Cup. The way it dismantled France in the semi-final has to be studied. France were the overwhelming favourites, and Spain took the fight out of them. France has still not recovered.

Luis de la Fuente won the  UEFA Nations Cup in 2023. He won the European Championship in 2024 and now the World Cup in 2026. It is an incredible achievement from a man who moulds and transforms men into leaders and champions. He should be recognised as one of the best coaches in world football in this era. 

Congratulations to Spain, World Cup winners 2026 and don’t cry for Argentina.