Spain v Argentina
Play By Play
IT'S FULL TIME HERE AT NEW YORK NEW JERSEY STADIUM AND SPAIN ARE CROWNED WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS AFTER A 1-0 WIN OVER ARGENTINA IN THE 2026 FINAL! Spain's mission for a second World Cup crown is complete, and they follow up their European Championship success by conquering world football 16 years after they first did so! De la Fuente's side dominated this final from start to finish, but they were unable to find a way past an inspired Martinez, who made several brilliant saves to keep Spain out, but the game turned in La Roja's favour in second-half stoppage time when Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence. From there, Spain looked like the only side capable of winning the game, and they thought they had taken the lead when Williams fired into the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Otamendi by Merino in the build-up. But Spain did not give up, and they found a way past Argentina within 37 seconds of the restart in the second half of extra time when Torres rifled the ball into the roof of the net after being teed up by Williams! It was not to be for Messi, who looks to have played in his final match at the World Cup, but even he will concede Spain were worthy winners. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.94 from their 20 shots to Argentina's tally of 0.2 from their two attempts. It seem crazy to think that Spain started their World Cup campaign with a draw to tournament debutants Cape Verde, but they have since gone on to become worthy winners of the tournament! That brings an end to another enthralling World Cup campaign, and we already can't wait to do it all over again in four years time. That is all from us, thank you for joining!
FULL TIME AFTER EXTRA TIME: SPAIN 1-0 ARGENTINA!
The Oles are beginning to ring around the New York New Jersey Stadium from the Spain supporters as they see their nation go within touching distance of becoming world champions for the second time! Any minute now....
Tagliafico is penalised for a needless foul on the edge of the box, just as when Medina had collected possession in a promising position. Such a poor foul to give away at a crucial time from one of Scaloni's more experienced players!
SIMEONE FIRES OVER! OH WHAT A CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA! Messi's corner is flicked on at the near post and is met by Simeone, but as he falls back when he strikes the ball, his attempt blazes over Simon's crossbar! Could that be Argentina's last chance for an equaliser?
There will be a minimum of five additional minutes at the end of this second half. Argentina are throwing everyhting at this to try and take this World Cup final to penalties!
HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN?! Spain elect to take the free-kick short and Messi slips in Simeone who whips a dangerous ball into the box, but a combination of Merino and Cubarsi clears the ball behind for an Argentina corner!
BRILLIANT BLOCK FROM MERINO! Having been influential at the other end, Merino puts his body on the line to block Messi's shot with his face to keep his team's one-goal advantage intact! The Arsenal man is down having treatment, so he will have to go off!
MESSI ALMOST CATCHES SIMON OUT! Argentina win a corner and take it short, with Messi delivering a first-time cross into the back post, but his delivery has too much on it and lands on the top of the net, but Simon was worried that may have been creeping in!
GGGOOOAAALLL...NO! SPAIN ARE DENIED AGAIN! Yamal picks up possession and sends Torres on his way, who stays cool, calm and collected before finishing past Martinez when faced one-on-one. However, his joy is short-lived and he is denied a second goal in the World Cup final by the offside flag, and rightly so. It remains 1-0 to Spain!
Argentina's frustrations are beginning to show and Mac Allister finds himself in the referee's notebook for a show of dissent. Scaloni's men must keep cool heads to try and not go down to nine men while also trying to chase a winner!
Torres is only the fifth substitute to score in a World Cup final - and first since Mario Gotze for Germany in 2014, whose goal won the final against Argentina. He is also only the second Barcelona player to score in a World Cup final, after Andres Iniesta, who scored the winner for Spain in extra time against the Netherlands in 2010.
GGGOOOAAALLL!!! TORRES PUTS SPAIN AHEAD IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!! Just 37 seconds after the action restarted, La Roja have deservedly taken the lead here at New York New Jersey Stadium! Spain work it well down the right and Porro's cross to the back post is kept alive by Williams, whose knock back is rifled into the roof of the net by Torres! Spain are on their way to a second World Cup crown! Spain 1-0 Argentina!
Williams gets the assist, and it is a brilliant piece of skill from him too. Porro's ball to the back post was a difficult one to deal with, but Williams does well to steer the ball into the path of Torres, who does the rest!
We're back underway for the second half of extra time! The Final Countdown blasts around the speakers at New York New Jersey Stadium as Messi gets the ball rolling once again.
Argentina are throwing everything at trying to get an equaliser here. They have sent Otamendi up front and win a free-kick in Spain's half. Messi stands over the set-piece and they need a special delivery from their captain...
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA TIME: SPAIN 0-0 ARGENTINA
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of three additional minutes at the end of the first half of extra time.
TEMPERS FLARE ONCE AGAIN HERE! Yamal's loose touch allows Tagliafico to come in and he gives him a little bit of nudge on is way off the pitch and the pair square up, which results in the Argentine bench bursting into life! It all calms down, though, and we restart once again.
MERINO SHOULD SCORE! So often Spain's savour at this year's World Cup, Merino goes within inches of breaking the deadlock. Williams digs out a cross which is flicked on by the Arsenal man, but his effort narrowly evades the right-hand post! Spain are knocking on the door!
Scaloni introduces another defender into the action and Alvarez is sacrificed. Tottenham's new summer signing Senesi will come into the Argentina back line.
Spain are toying with Argentina and creating several opportunities in their quest to open the scoring. Porro's searching ball to the back post looks destined to find Williams, but a last-ditch interception comes to Argentina's rescue, but the pressure from La Roja remains.
There is also a switch at the heart of Spain's defence. Laporte's race is run, and one comes Garcia.
De la Fuente turns to his bench and, surprisingly, is giving two players their first minutes at this year's World Cup! The first alteration comes in midfield, with Arsenal's Zubimendi coming on in midfield to replace Rodri.
GGGOOOAAAALLL....NO! WILLIAMS' GOAL IS RULED OUT! Spain think they have taken the lead in this World Cup final! Yamal's attempt to touch the ball finds its way to Merino who shrugs off the challenge of Otamendi before seeing his shot blocked by Martinez! Williams gobbles up the loose ball, but the referee rules the goal out for a foul on Otamendi by Merino! VAR are checking it, of course, but it looks like the decision will stand. A HUGE let off for Argentina!
