By Izuchukwu Okosi
European champions Spain on Sunday evening usurped Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup thanks to an extra time goal by Ferran Torres.
The 2026 final became the first ever FIFA World Cup final between the reigning UEFA European champions, and the reigning CONMEBOL Copa America champions.
Messi and Lamine Yamal both started for Argentina and Spain respectively.
Argentina barely had a sniff at Spain’s half while the European champions missed three chances to score, two of them gifted to Yamal whose tame shots were easily smothered by Emi Martinez same as Mikel Oyarzabal.
Security was heightened at MetLife Stadium with US president Donald Trump was in attendance at the game.
Madonna, Shakira and Bieber all serenaded the crowd in the half-time show.
Spain were again dominant in the second half just as they were in the first and substitute Ferran Torres had two glorious chances to provide the clinical edge missing in the La Rojas game.
First the Bercelona forward saw his header easily saved by Martinez while fellow substitute Mikel Merino teed him up but his shot was wide off target.
Enzo Fernandez who was on a yellow card was then sent off in added time for a cynical tackle on Pau Curbasi.
Messi indicates to the referee that Marc Cucurella said something untold towards him with a coveted hands on the mouth but the new Real Madrid left back escaped a yellow card.
Spain got a free-kick just at the edge of the Argentina box just before the final whistle as Torres was kicked by Paredes.
Emi Martinez saved from the boots of Lamine Yamal and the game subsequently headed into extra time.
Martinez clawed away a delicate Nico Williams header from close range – the 16th goal scoring chance for Spain in contrast to none from Argentina (11 on target).
Williams did score seconds later but the VAR check was required as Mikel Merino was suspected to had fouled Martinez.
In the 102nd minute, Merino latched onto a tantalising cross from Williams but the Arsenal star’s headed went agonizingly wide off target.
Torres then broke the deadlock in the 106th mwinute with an emphatic finish inside the Argentina box.
Torres was flagged offside and his supposed second goal was ruled out with only seven minutes left on the match clock.
Marcos Senesi won a free-kick for Argentina but the double Messi inswingers failed to produce an equaliser.
The Spaniards held on to win the title.
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