Ferran Torres, an unlikely hero, delivered the goal that made Spain the first nation to hold both men's and women's World Cups simultaneously, as La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey on Sunday.
Torres, who came on for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute, netted the winner in a final that mirrored Spain's 2010 triumph – grinding down a dour Argentina side before striking when it mattered. The Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez had been sent off in extra time after a reckless tackle while already on a yellow card, reducing Argentina to ten men.
“Ferran Torres scores to give Spain 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in World Cup final”
The victory caps an astonishing five-year period in which Spain have won 16 world and European titles from under-17 to senior level. “It is a dominance,” Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport. “It’s like the perfect storm. Culturally, we do things a certain way. Everybody believes in it.”
Spain’s men have now won three of the past five European Championships – 2008, 2012 and 2024 – and added the Nations League in 2023 and Olympic gold in 2024. The women’s team, world champions in 2023, have won the Nations League in 2024 and 2025. “It’s another Everest,” Balague added, “because the men won the World Cup in 2010 two years after winning the Euros. Now we’ve done it again.”
Coach Luis de la Fuente, appointed in December 2022 after Spain’s last-16 exit in Qatar, has delivered the Nations League, Euro 2024 and now the World Cup in quick succession. “They went with this guy who understood the style and the system,” Balague said. “It was a very risky decision – I don’t think anyone thought he would be so successful.”
Spain dominated possession in the final but struggled to break down Argentina, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez making save after save. Lamine Yamal started brightly but faded. Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte were outstanding in defence, while Rodri bossed midfield. For Argentina, Lionel Messi – in what may be his final World Cup – could not hide his tears after the defeat.
Spain’s second World Cup win, coming 16 years after their first, feels eerily similar: a patient, possession-based victory secured by a single goal in extra time. For De la Fuente, whose youth-team background meant few expected such success, the question now is whether this generation can sustain its remarkable run.