Argentina vs. Spain player ratings: Viva La Roja! European champions win the World Cup thanks to Ferran Torres' outstanding final performance, which ultimately pays off.
Ferran Torres scored the solitary goal to win Spain the 2026 World Cup in a rather boring final. La Roja were the only side eager to play football on the day, and ran out merited winners in extra-time thanks to the Barcelona forward's heroics. They won two major trophies in a row with the triumph, and a defeat might have terminated Leo Messi's Argentina career.
In New Jersey, it was a dull affair. Argentina did not prepare to play football, but Spain did. Additionally, Argentina failed to score a single shot on goal during the 120 minutes that Spain continuously choked their opponents.
Early on, Spain experienced some dazzling snowflakes. Within the opening ten minutes, Lamine Yamal, a lively presence on the right, prompted Emi Martinez to make a wonderful stop. Other than that, La Roja managed the process without providing much in the way of quality. Sometimes they were reluctant to shoot because they were overly cautious. The closest they came was a blasted shot from Marc Cucurella that went just wide of the post.
With more attacking opportunities in the second half, La Roja really improved. Ferran stretched the defence while Nico Williams provided much-needed speed on the left. Emiliano Martinez, however, awoke. Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card before to extra time, but the Argentina 'keeper used some great saves to thwart a late string of Spanish assaults, keeping the game tied.
After that, it was more of the same since Spain had most of the ball. Argentina took a back seat, but La Roja lacked clinicality and often missed opportunities while Emiliano Martinez made numerous saves.
When Williams sprang higher than his opponent at the far post and pushed the ball down for Ferran, who walked into space and hammered home, Spain finally scored. Argentina displayed late life, but there was no late drama thanks to a valiant block by Pau Cubarsi in front of his own net.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Unai Simon (7/10):
Unai Simon (7/10):
Came off his line well on a few occasions. Did not have a single save to make.Pedro Porro (7/10):
Held width, kept the ball moving, but his final pass was seriously lacking for the most part.
Pau Cubarsi (8/10):
Aymeric Laporte (7/10):
On the ball a lot, and kept it moving well enough. Never had much to do with the ball.
Marc Cucurella (8/10):
Excellent. Dealt with Messi well and offered a bit of attacking thrust. Up for the scrap, too. Consistently performs for his national side.
Midfield
Rodri (8/10):
Magnificent pretty much the whole time. Ran the game from the middle of the park and controlled space effectively.
Fabian Ruiz (6/10):
Created a couple of chances, kept the Argentina midfield quiet.Dani Olmo (7/10):
Emblematic of the Spain problem. Kept the ball well, made the right runs, but never put his foot through the ball when he had the chance.
Attack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Lively early on, and then Argentina resorted to trying to kick him off the park. Grew into the game later on and was a real threat.
Mikel Oyarzabal (6/10):
Twenty-five touches, 11 passes completed, and a couple of half-hearted attempts on goal. Magnificent on his day, but was a bit too cute and ineffective here. Alex Baena (6/10): Awkwardly deployed at left wing. Linked up nicely but didn't offer the injection of pace Spain needed.
Subs & Manager
Pedri (7/10):
Offered a bit more attacking intent when he came on, which Spain badly needed.
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