{"id":20530,"date":"2026-07-20T10:09:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T04:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20530"},"modified":"2026-07-20T10:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T04:24:33","slug":"ferran-torres-fires-spain-to-second-world-cup-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20530","title":{"rendered":"Ferran Torres Fires Spain to Second World Cup Title<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1\u20130 after extra time to win the FIFA World Cup for the second time.<\/p>\n

The final, played on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States, remained goalless after 90 minutes before substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute.<\/p>\n

Spain had previously won the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, when Andr\u00e9s Iniesta scored in the 116th minute of extra time to secure a 1\u20130 victory over the Netherlands. Spain have now won both men\u2019s World Cup finals they have contested.
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\nSpain dominate from the start<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain controlled possession and forced Argentina into a defensive approach with quick passing and sustained attacking pressure from the opening minutes.<\/p>\n

Lamine Yamal tested goalkeeper Emiliano Mart\u00ednez as early as the fifth minute. Spain controlled around 65 percent of possession in the first half, while Argentina failed to register a shot.<\/p>\n

Argentina defender Lisandro Mart\u00ednez received a yellow card in the 41st minute before leaving the pitch with an injury. Veteran Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi replaced him.<\/p>\n

Only three shots were attempted in the first half, all by Spain, making it one of the least eventful opening halves of a World Cup final in terms of attempts on goal.<\/p>\n

Argentina continued to struggle in attack after the interval. Spanish midfielders and defenders denied captain Lionel Messi sufficient time and space on the ball.<\/p>\n

Spain repeatedly created chances but were prevented from scoring during regulation time by Emiliano Mart\u00ednez, who produced 12 saves to keep Argentina in contention.<\/p>\n

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente introduced Torres for Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri for Fabi\u00e1n Ruiz in the 62nd minute. Nico Williams and Mikel Merino were later brought on as Spain intensified their attacking pressure.
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\nArgentina reduced to 10 players<\/strong><\/p>\n

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez received a second yellow card in stoppage time after fouling Pau Cubars\u00ed and was sent off. Argentina were therefore forced to play extra time with 10 men.<\/p>\n

Argentina failed to register a shot during regulation time, while Spain continued to press for a breakthrough.<\/p>\n

It was the fourth World Cup final to remain goalless after 90 minutes, following the finals of 1994, 2010 and 2014.<\/p>\n

Nico Williams put the ball into the net during the first half of extra time, but the goal was disallowed after the referee ruled that Merino had fouled Otamendi in the build-up.<\/p>\n

Argentina replaced Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez with Marcos Senesi in the 102nd minute in an effort to strengthen their defensive structure.<\/p>\n

Torres scores historic winner<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain finally broke the deadlock one minute into the second half of extra time.<\/p>\n

Pedro Porro delivered a long cross from the right, which Nico Williams headed back into the penalty area. Torres met the ball with his left foot and drove it beneath the crossbar to give Spain the lead.<\/p>\n

It was Spain\u2019s 20th attempt of the match and Torres\u2019 first goal of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Argentina became more aggressive after conceding and began to enjoy more possession, but they were unable to create a clear opportunity to equalise.<\/p>\n

The final whistle triggered celebrations among Spanish players and supporters, while Argentina\u2019s hopes of winning consecutive World Cups came to an end.<\/p>\n

Argentina had claimed their third title at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after defeating France in a penalty shootout.
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\nSpain concede only once in eight matches<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain began their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde before defeating Saudi Arabia 4\u20130 and Uruguay 1\u20130 to finish top of their group.<\/p>\n

In the knockout rounds, Spain defeated Austria 3\u20130 in the round of 32, Portugal 1\u20130 in the round of 16, Belgium 2\u20131 in the quarter-finals and France 2\u20130 in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

Spain conceded only once in eight matches, against Belgium in the quarter-final.<\/p>\n

Their defensive record marked the fewest goals conceded by a World Cup-winning side in a single edition of the tournament. Spain also extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches.<\/p>\n

The victory also made Spain the first country to simultaneously hold both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s World Cup titles. Spain\u2019s women won the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup in 2023.<\/p>\n

Spain dominate individual awards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spain captain Rodri was named the tournament\u2019s best player and received the Golden Ball.<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper Unai Sim\u00f3n won the Golden Glove, while Pau Cubars\u00ed was named the tournament\u2019s best young player.<\/p>\n

France forward Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament\u2019s leading scorer with 10 goals, despite France failing to reach the final.<\/p>\n

De la Fuente said Spain\u2019s collective performance, discipline and confidence had made the title possible.<\/p>\n

Torres described his decisive strike as a goal for Spain\u2019s 47 million citizens.<\/p>\n

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said his players had fought until the end despite the difficult circumstances. He said the team had given everything in pursuit of victory and must accept defeat with responsibility.<\/p>\n

For 39-year-old Messi, the match may have been his final appearance at a World Cup. The captain, who led Argentina to the title in 2022, again guided his country to the final but was unable to make a decisive impact against Spain\u2019s organised defence.<\/p>\n

The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was the first edition to feature 48 teams. A total of 104 matches were played during the six-week tournament, which concluded with Spain\u2019s historic triumph.<\/p>\n

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