Held on 19 July, the final saw Spain lift their second FIFA World Cup trophy after a disciplined and dominant performance against reigning champions Argentina. After 90 minutes without a breakthrough, the decisive moment came in the second period of extra time, when Ferran Torres found the back of the net to secure Spain’s place at the top of world football.
Spain controlled much of the match from start to finish, enjoying the majority of possession, creating the clearer chances and dictating the tempo throughout the evening. Argentina, by contrast, struggled to impose themselves offensively, producing an unusually passive display and relying heavily on defensive organization. The reigning world champions from Qatar 2022 rarely threatened the Spanish goal and ultimately failed to respond after conceding late in extra time.
One of the standout stories of the final was the appointment of Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia as the referee. Being selected to officiate the biggest match in world football is widely regarded as one of the highest honours for any referee and reflects years of consistently outstanding performances at both UEFA and FIFA level.
Vinčić handled the occasion with authority, allowing the game to flow while maintaining full control throughout an intense and high-pressure encounter, highlighting once again the growing reputation of Slovenian football officials on the international stage.
The tournament also produced a historic individual achievement. Kylian Mbappé finished the competition as the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer, moving ahead of legendary names including Lionel Messi, Miroslav Klose, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. With Messi unable to score in the final, Mbappé’s record remained intact, adding another remarkable chapter to the French forward’s already extraordinary career.
For Spain, the triumph marks the culmination of a new generation that successfully combined technical quality, tactical discipline and squad depth throughout the tournament. Their performances consistently ranked among the strongest in the competition, and many observers viewed La Roja as the most complete team from the group stage through to the final.
Although Argentina fell short of defending the title they won in Qatar in 2022, reaching another World Cup final confirms their continued place among football’s elite. Spain, however, were the deserved champions, producing a composed and convincing display on the biggest stage to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
