Spain claimed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres settled a tense, attritional final in the 106th minute, latching onto a through ball and finishing low past the goalkeeper to spark delirious celebrations among the Spanish contingent. Argentina, who had lost Cristian Romero to injury in the 70th minute and Lisandro Martínez before half-time, could not find a response, their attacking rhythm disrupted by a disciplined Spanish defensive block that held firm through 120 minutes.

The final whistle triggered raw emotions on both sides. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was involved in physical exchanges with Spain’s Eric García and Gavi, requiring coach Lionel Scaloni to intervene and separate the players. Nicolás Otamendi was seen in a heated verbal exchange with Rodri, later telling reporters the Spanish midfielder had been “crying all week.” On the touchline, Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi were both visibly in tears, the defeat cutting deep for a squad that had arrived aiming to retain the trophy.

During the medal ceremony, the crowd’s hostility toward US president Donald Trump was audible, with boos reaching 84 decibels as he took to the pitch alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Romero, receiving his runner-up medal, shook hands with Infantino but then walked past Trump without making eye contact or offering his hand, before greeting Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Lisandro Martínez, contrary to a widely circulated but edited video, did shake Trump’s hand. Trump later inserted himself into Spain’s trophy lift, performing a brief dance move before Infantino gently ushered him aside to allow the players their moment.

In the post-match press conference, Scaloni cast doubt on his future, his voice breaking as he suggested he would reflect on his position. Spain’s triumph, built on a resilient defensive structure and Torres’s decisive intervention, adds a second star to their jersey twelve years after their first, while Argentina are left to confront the end of a cycle that delivered the 2022 title but fell just short of a historic repeat.