By Ola Kay with additional reports
After a 16 years gap, Spain has won the World Cup (men’s category). with Ferran Torres scoring the lone goal, (1-0 ) right at the New York New Jersey stadium.
The 2026 World Cup victory now projects Spain as the men’s and women’s world champions.
Spain’s captain and player of the tournament, (Man of the Match) Rodri, enthusiastically lifted the trophy, with Donald Trump present.
Lionel Messi, in his comments post game about the outcome said: “They were better, to be honest.
“We lost the game, and we accept that. That doesn’t mean that we will forget everything we’ve done so far, so I’d like to thank my people, my players and the country.”
Spain dominated the crucial final, but Argentina held firm, with a smart save from goalkeeper Emi Martinez save on a shot from Spanish striker Mikel Oyarzabal, as close as either side came before the long interval.
For the first time in World Cup history, a Super Bowl-style halftime show was on display. Performers including Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS took to the pitch with the break extended, contrary to both football convention and FIFA laws, to almost double the standard 15 minutes. Earlier, Nigeria’s Borna Boy had joined Shakira in an interlude involving the ghetto guys to the admiration of spectators on site and online.
Remarkable moments included a red card for midfielder Enzo Fernandez in injury time which made Argentina’s task even tougher as the final headed into extra time, as it now has in five of the last six finals. Argentina tired but somehow held on, with Spain repeatedly missing their chances.
With Argentina reduced to 10 men, Spain dominated possession in extra time and finally found the breakthrough when Nico Williams brilliantly knocked the ball into Torres’ path, allowing the forward to fire home the winning goal.
In the world tournament, politics has also proved impossible to ignore. The barring of Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the US added to the sense this was not a World Cup for the whole world. Iran’s treatment, being forced to fly in and out of games and given less preparation time as a result, was a reminder of the conflict between the US and Iran.
Eventually, the tournament was decided in the same way it always has been. On Sunday in America’s New Jersey, it was settled, once again, in favor of Spain.
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