Ferran Torres says his goal “belonged to 47 million people” in Spain after La Roja overcame their anxiety about facing Lionel Messi to win the World Cup final 2026.
Barcelona’s Torres struck in the 106th minute in New Jersey to ensure 39-year-old Messi failed to win a second successive World Cup title in what could prove the icon’s last international match.
“Destiny was written,” substitute Torres said, via AS. “We were made to win.
“If all finals are difficult, when you have Messi as an opponent, that nervousness sets in. We [played] more football.”
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World Cup final 2026: Spain beat Argentina
In a tempestuous encounter, Argentina had Enzo Fernandez dismissed during added time in the second half of regular time.
“In the end, the goal belonged to 47 million people, not just to me out of 26 [Spain players],” said 26-year-old Torres.
“[It’s] a huge relief. I’ve been heavily criticised during the World Cup. Thank God, who always gives me the strength to keep going.”
World Cup final 2026: Spain team vs Argentina
Spain were unchanged from their semi-final win over France, bringing Torres on for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute.
Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
Spain substitutes: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Victor Munoz, Borja Iglesias
World Cup final 2026: Argentina full starting line up vs Spain
Argentina made three alterations from their last-four victory over England, bringing in Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez and Gonzalo Montiel for Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina.
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi
Argentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez
Spain vs Argentina: World Cup final 2026 stats
- This was the first time the reigning Copa America champions had faced the reigning European champions in a World Cup final
- Argentina were the sixth reigning champions to reach a World Cup final – the first two won (Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962), but the last four have lost (Argentina in 1990 and 2026, Brazil in 1998 and France in 2022)
- This was the first time the two nations ranked first (Argentina) and second (Spain) in FIFA’s rankings had met at any stage of a World Cup
- Messi’s side were competing in their seventh World Cup final, with only Germany playing more (8)
- The captain became the second player in World Cup history to appear in three finals (2014, 2022 and 2026), along with Brazil’s Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002)
- At 39 years and 25 days of age, Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a final
- Having won all seven of their matches at the 2026 edition, Argentina failed to become the first team since Brazil in 2002 (won 7/7) to have a 100% winning record at a single edition
- Spain’s total of seven clean sheets is the most by any side at a single World Cup tournament and they are unbeaten in their last 38 matches in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024
- They have set the longest ever unbeaten run by a European nation
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