Football: Spain beat holders Argentina in extra time to lift 2nd World Cup

Captain Rodri (C) lifts the World Cup trophy after Spain beat Argentina in the final at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

Spain captain Rodri receives the World Cup trophy from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (front L) and U.S. President Donald Trump (front C) at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

Spain's Ferran Torres (7) scores in the second half of extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

Spain's Ferran Torres (back R) scores in the second half of extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi (L) and Spain's Lamine Yamal vie for the ball during first half of the World Cup final at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

Captain Lionel Messi sits on the pitch after Argentina lose to Spain in the World Cup final at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

NEW YORK - Spain lifted the World Cup for the second time Sunday after beating 10-man defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the 106th-minute winner for a dominant Spain at New York/New Jersey Stadium, where Argentina managed two shots, neither on target, and had Enzo Fernandez sent off for a second yellow deep in the second half.

U.S. President Donald Trump was present for the game and attended the award ceremony after the match, which was interrupted by an unusual 27-minute halftime show.

Captain Rodri was named the tournament's best player as the European champions, managed by Luis de la Fuente, enjoyed a near-perfect campaign that began with a 0-0 draw with debutants Cape Verde but ended with the trophy.

La Roja conceded just one goal in eight matches as they overcame Portugal, Belgium and France on their way, and are yet to lose a match in 90 minutes or concede multiple goals at a World Cup since a 2-1 loss to Japan in the 2022 group stage in Qatar.

Spain previously won the World Cup in 2010 when Andres Iniesta, who later played for Vissel Kobe, also scored the only goal in the second half of extra time against the Netherlands in South Africa.

Three-time champions Argentina failed to become the third country to win the World Cup back-to-back after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962), with 39-year-old superstar Lionel Messi unable to add to his eight goals at this tournament.

Kylian Mbappe of France bagged 10 goals in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, becoming the first top scorer in two consecutive World Cups after also grabbing eight goals in Qatar.

Making their eighth straight appearance, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, beat Tunisia 4-0 and drew 1-1 with Sweden to make the knockout phase for the fifth time before falling to a late 2-1 defeat against Brazil in the round of 32.

The World Cup marks its centenary in 2030, when the tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay also scheduled to stage one match each.