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Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in World Cup final as Messi falls short

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 11:06 PM

Last updated Jul 19, 2026

Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in World Cup final as Messi falls short
Summary

Spain won the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The match remained scoreless until Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, sealing Spain's victory. Argentina struggled throughout, and Lionel Messi, who scored eight goals in the tournament, faced disappointment as he missed a penalty in the shootout. The loss marked Messi's second defeat in a World Cup final, raising questions about his future with the national team, as he will be nearing 40 by the next tournament. Messi matched Brazil's Cafu as only the second player to appear in three World Cup finals.

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By the Numbers
  • •Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
  • •Lionel Messi missed a penalty during the shootout.
  • •Argentina faced a challenge after Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
  • •Messi has now lost two World Cup finals, in 2014 and 2026.
  • •He matched Cafu's record for appearances in three World Cup finals.
Latest Updates
  • 11:06 PMYahoo Sports — Messi denied dream farewell as abject Argentina lose World Cup final
What they're saying
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Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain's 1-0 win.The game ended 0-0, before Messi missed his penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost again.

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