Spain won their second World Cup on Sunday, collecting the trophy from US President Donald Trump after Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike broke the stubborn resistance of Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
More than 80,000 people crammed into the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to witness a tense, tight final punctuated by cynical Argentine fouls that ended 1-0.
The defending champions struggled to compete with dominant Spain and were left with a mountain to climb when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute for a second yellow card after a reckless challenge on defender Pau Cubarsi.
Argentina barely had an attempt on goal in the entire match but held on grimly, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez making a series of saves.
The 2010 winners, who had peppered their opponents’ goal, finally broke the deadlock early in the second half of extra-time.
The goal came from a brilliant knock-back by Nico Williams for fellow substitute Torres, who smashed the ball high into the net in the 106th minute. At the end, the Spain players cavorted on the pitch while Messi was in tears as he trudged up to collect his runners-up medal.
The ceremony was presided over by Trump, who was loudly booed as he walked onto the pitch at the end of the game with Gianni Infantino, the chief of world football’s governing body FIFA.
Trump had to be asked by Infantino to move to the side as he lingered on stage while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft. The 80-year-old even did a quick version of his trademark “Trump dance”.
An emotional Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players were a “source of pride” for the nation.
Spain captain Rodri, who won the player of the tournament award, said it was hard to put his feelings into words, 14 months after he returned from a serious knee injury.
“I think now we’re like in a cloud,” he said. “It’s been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity — when you go down you can rise again.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated Spain on its well-deserved victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026, praising the team for displaying exceptional skill, unity, discipline, and teamwork throughout the tournament.
The prime minister, in a post on X, extended his heartiest felicitations to the the US President Donald Trump and the people of the United States on the exceptional arrangements and successful hosting of the historic tournament.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed his appreciation to the governments and peoples of Mexico and Canada for their excellent partnership in hosting the FIFA World Cup with distinction. He commended FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the entire FIFA team for their efforts in organizing the mega event, saying that it would undoubtedly strengthen football’s stature as a truly global sport.
The prime minister highlighted that the FIFA World Cup has once again demonstrated that sport was a universal language that transcended borders and inspired humanity. He expressed the hope that the same spirit of friendship and unity would continue long after the final whistle.