Spain is the 2026 World Cup champion, defeating Argentina for its 2nd title

Spain secured its second FIFA World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. This championship win marks a historic achievement for Spain, which concluded the tournament as the most dominant defensive team ever by conceding only one goal across eight matches. The final match remained scoreless through regulation despite Spain controlling possession and Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Mart%C3%ADnez recording a record 11 saves. Argentina was forced to play with ten men in extra time after midfielder Enzo Fern%C3%A1ndez received a red card. Ferran Torres ultimately broke the deadlock by scoring the decisive goal following a cross from Nico Williams. This victory extends Spain's unbeaten streak to 38 consecutive matches and elevates them to the top of the world rankings. Lionel Messi concluded an impressive individual tournament with eight goals and four assists but was unable to lead his team to a win. The event in East Rutherford, New Jersey, concluded with a controversial 25-minute halftime show featuring international stars like Shakira and Madonna. Traditional soccer fans expressed frustration over the length of the halftime performance, citing concerns regarding the Americanization of the sport. Overall, the tournament served as a major cultural moment for North America, drawing massive crowds and global attention.