Spain are world champions for the second time after Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike gave La Roja victory over Argentina in the 2026 final in New Jersey.
Nico Williams had a goal disallowed for Luis de la Fuente’s team shortly before the winner, while Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for the 2022 champions during added time in the second half of regular time.
The result may have brought the curtain down on Argentina captain and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi’s international career.
Here’s how the teams rated as Spain added to the title they won in 2010 and Argentina suffered defeat in their seventh World Cup decider.
Table of Contents
World Cup final 2026: Spain ratings vs Argentina
Unai Simon: 8
Spain had all 12 attempts on target but Unai Simon was calm when called off his line and dealt with crosses when required.
The Athletic Club player is a history-maker after a remarkable tournament: Spain’s total of one goal conceded is a record at a World Cup, despite having an extra match to contest in the last 32.
Pedro Porro: 9
As well as continuing Tottenham’s form for contributing World Cup winners, Porro shone in his own right with a tireless display to complete a formidable tournament for the full-back.
Porro was a major reason why Nicolas Gonzalez was substituted and the 26-year-old, who scored in the semi-final win over France, was again a threat going forward.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
The 19-year-old finished the finals with the Young Player of the Tournament award, which says it all about his campaign.
Barcelona centre-back Cubarsi also showed speedier thought than Enzo Fernandez in the incident that resulted in the midfielder’s dismissal.
Aymeric Laporte: 8
No player had made more interceptions and precious few had won more aerial duels than Laporte before the final, and the 32-year-old showed why as a resolute influence again here.
Laporte should have scored during regular time but placed a header kindly for Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to save.
Marc Cucurella: 8
On the evidence of this tournament, Cucurella could be a key player for new club Real Madrid next season.
Another all-action display featured a flashpoint involving Lionel Messi after Fernandez’s dismissal, with the striker appearing to claim that the full-back should have been punished for covering his mouth while speaking to him.
Rodri: 9
Topped 100 passes with an accuracy of more than 95% in another instrumental display to drive Spain supremely.
With the Player of the Tournament award in the bag, new Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca must be hoping Rodri stays – and stays fit – for 2026/27.
Fabian Ruiz: 7
A starter in each of Spain’s final three matches, the midfielder was perhaps unfortunate to be substituted here.
Made way for Ferran Torres in the 62nd minute but created two chances during his time on the pitch and ably demonstrated his perceptive passing range.
Lamine Yamal: 7
Slightly impeded by expectations at these finals, the 19-year-old might have scored early on and frequently gave Argentina cause for concern.
Tested Emiliano Martinez with a late free-kick and deservedly lingered to embrace Ferran Torres after playing a role in the goal.
Dani Olmo: 7
Forced a save from Martinez and created a chance to cap an impressive tournament for the Barca livewire.
The provider of Spain’s second goal against France was replaced by Mikel Merino after 75 minutes of the final.
Alex Baena: 6
Making a seventh straight start at the finals, Atletico Madrid’s Baena had a quiet game by the sparky standards of his teammates.
Was the victim of a misfiring spurt of refereeing foam before being replaced by Nico Williams with 15 minutes of regular time left.
Mikel Oyarzabal: 6
Did not hit the heights he has on his way to scoring five goals at the finals, joining Fabian Ruiz as Spain’s first players to head to the bench.
Oyarzabal was still a lively threat and finishes the tournament outscored by only six players.
Substitutes
Pedri: 8
Given more than an hour, Pedri looked full of energy and drew a stop from Martinez early in extra time.
The 23-year-old’s total of four chances created was the highest of any player involved. At 23, the future looks dazzling.
Ferran Torres: 8
An unforgettable night for the matchwinner, who scored his first World Cup goal since Spain’s opening match in 2022.
The 26-year-old rifled in to become an instant hero for his country, rewarding Luis de la Fuente for giving him his longest run-out since Spain’s first game at the 2026 finals.
Mikel Merino: 7
A super-sub with late goals in the last 16 and quarter-finals, Merino again proved a threat after coming on in the 75th minute here.
Might have done better with a header but set up Nico Williams for an extra-time goal that was disallowed because of a foul.
Nico Williams: 8
Introduced at the same time as Merino, Williams was twice denied by Martinez as part of a virtuoso performance.
The Athletic Club winger teed up Torres for the goal and was let down by wastefulness from a good opportunity during the first half of extra time.
Martin Zubimendi: 6
A brief replacement for Rodri, Zubimendi kept Spain steady during the closing stages without having sufficient time to fully impose himself.
The Arsenal midfielder will cherish his World Cup debut, following on from his title-winning first season in the Premier League.
Eric Garcia: 6
A late replacement for Laporte, Garcia looked a little rusty on his World Cup bow but helped Spain complete the job.
The Barca defender was making his first competitive international appearance since 2022.
Spain substitutes: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Gavi, Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz, Borja Iglesias
World Cup final 2026: Argentina ratings vs Spain
Emiliano Martinez: 8
Made several excellent saves and could do little about Torres’ winner, which arrowed into the roof of the net.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper will doubtless feel some frustration after Argentina failed to keep a clean sheet in a sixth consecutive match.
Nicolas Tagliafico: 6
Trusted to start since the round of 16, Tagliafico was helped by Yamal having a quiet first half by the prodigy’s standards.
On his 17th World Cup appearance, the Lyon defender endured a tricky time after that and committed five fouls across the contest.
Gonzalo Montiel: 6
Argentina’s first player to make way during the second half, Montiel was replaced by Nahuel Molina after 58 minutes.
The River Plate right-back was making his first start since matchday one and struggled to contain Cucurella.
Lisandro Martinez: 5
The Manchester United defender had more reason than most of his teammates to forget the final, looking distraught when he was forced off during the first half.
Martinez received the first booking for a rash challenge on Oyarzabal and was injured in the process.
Cristian Romero: 7
Romero’s resolute first-half showing might leave Argentina wondering what could have been had he stayed on the pitch throughout.
Facundo Medina replaced Romero with 20 minutes of regular time remaining, continuing an injury-strewn run for the 28-year-old.
Rodrigo De Paul: 4
Came on shortly before Argentina turned their semi-final against England around, but fared less effectively against opponents bossing possession.
With De Paul’s influence limited, the teammate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami came off in the 70th minute.
Nico Gonzalez: 4
When head coach Lionel Scaloni decided change was needed at half-time, Gonzalez paid the price in a swap with Leandro Paredes.
Another arrival from the bench against England, the Manchester City midfielder tried to stem Spain’s dominance during his half in the final.
Alexis Mac Allister: 5
The Liverpool playmaker featured throughout but did not have his finest 120 minutes and was booked for a challenge on Cucurella during extra time.
A passing success of slightly more than 83% may not have helped Argentina’s cause as Spain enjoyed more than 65% of play.
Enzo Fernandez: 4
Fernandez was Argentina’s stand-out midfielder during the first half but let his team down by being sent off for a wild foul.
The Chelsea playmaker’s attitude was questioned during the 2025/26 season and his indiscretion – having been booked for dissent shortly beforehand – was a foolish one.
Julian Alvarez: 5
A sublime curling strike against Switzerland was Alvarez’s only goal of the finals and the forward did not look like adding to his tally in the final.
The forward was not the only player to struggle and he did not look worthy of the £129 million Barcelona offered Real Madrid for him last month.
Lionel Messi: 5
Spain’s achievement is made all the greater by keeping the best player of modern times quiet, leaving Messi in tears at the end.
Despite his despair after what could be the 39-year-old’s last international appearance, Messi made his majestic brilliance crystal-clear at this tournament.
Substitutes
Nicolas Otamendi: 5
At 38, Otamendi found the going predictably tough after replacing Lisandro Martinez in the 44th minute.
The River Plate centre-back played throughout Argentina’s triumphant campaign in 2022 and may look back on that far more fondly than this tournament, in which his only start was against Jordan.
Leandro Paredes: 4
Given Spain’s dominance, there was little shame in Paredes being unable to affect the game after coming on.
The midfielder’s conduct after the final whistle, by contrast, earned him an embarrassing red card in a shamefully acrimonious post-match melee.
Nahuel Molina: 6
Came on for Montiel and made a notable intervention to block an Olmo attempt that may have been goal-bound.
On an off-night for his team, Atleti’s Molina completed less than 70% of his passes.
Facundo Medina: 5
On for Romero, Medina was troubled by Torres to perhaps demonstrate why he was dropped on matchday three.
Giuliano Simeone: 5
On his third World Cup appearance, the 23-year-old spurned a chance to equalise during the closing stages.
Marcos Senesi: 6
Tottenham’s new signing came on for Alvarez in the 102nd minute for his second competitive international match.
Argentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, 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
You Should Also Read
