Spain crowned world champions for the second time after edging Argentina 1-0 in extra time | Live blog

And that’s a Tortilla.

Thank you for following this extraordinary final with us — all 120 minutes of it, plus the occasional pause for hydration, advertising, Shakira.

Spain are world champions for the second time after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, with Ferran Torres finally finding the one shot Emiliano Martínez couldn’t stop.

We’ll leave you to celebrate, commiserate and explain to your friends what exactly happened over the past few hours. We, meanwhile, have to go to bed — because tomorrow morning, Trump will presumably have provided us with a new headache to cover.

Thanks for joining us, and Viva Espana!

Spain lift the World Cup alongside Trump

(Credit: Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

Spain captain Rodri lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy for the second time in the national team’s history.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to try to make his way into the celebratory photo, only to be ushered aside by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Even the World Cup final has its own photo-bombing subplot.

Rodri named World Cup’s best player, Mbappé finishes as top scorer

Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri kisses the Golden Ball Award during the award ceremony of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina.

Spain midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was named the tournament’s best player, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi.

French striker Kylian Mbappé was another winner on the night, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, ahead of Messi’s eight.

Trump and Infantino booed as they take to the MetLife pitch

(Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP)

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were roundly booed by the crowd at MetLife Stadium as they walked onto the pitch for the trophy presentation ceremony.

The passing of the torch: Yamal and Messi

(Credit: Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

The student may have surpassed the master tonight. Devastated after the defeat, Argentina No. 10 Lionel Messi shared a heartfelt embrace with his successor, Lamine Yamal.

Argentina's Nahuel Molina looks dejected after losing the World Cup final. (Credit: Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

Spain joins France and Uruguay among the two-time world champions

Spain's Pau Cubarsi and teammates celebrate winning the World Cup. (Credit: James Lang/Reuters)

Two years after winning their third European Championship, Spain have now claimed their second World Cup title — 16 years after their first, a 1-0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands in South Africa in 2010.

Spain thus join France (1998, 2018) and Uruguay (1930, 1950) among the national teams to have won the World Cup twice.

Argentina therefore failed to achieve the feat of retaining its title, as Pelé’s Brazil did in 1958 and 1962 — and Mussolini’s Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Spain, world champions again

Spain's Mikel Merino and Pedro Porro celebrate after winning the World Cup. (Credit: Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Messi found

Argentina's Lionel Messi looks dejected. (Credit: Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

It’s finito! Spain are world champions for the second time in their history! ?

After extra time, and after utterly dominating Argentina in a one-sided final of the kind rarely seen in World Cup history, Spain have just secured their second world title, thanks to Ferran Torres’ decisive 106th-minute goal.

Simeone hits the crossbar

Driven by sheer desperation, Argentina have a second great chance to get back on level terms through Simeone, who hits the crossbar with a shot that beats Unai Simón.

Still 1-0, with just two minutes left to play...

Argentina’s first (and last) chance

Nico Williams misses the chance to make it 2-0... Merino sacrifices himself for his country

In the aftermath of Nico Williams’ huge miss, Merino threw himself in front of the first shot from Leo Messi of the match, blocking it with his head.
Will the Argentine superstar come alive at the last moment to save his team from a humiliating defeat?

Offside? Really?

Just as Spain appeared to have scored a second, the flag goes up for a (slight) offside against Ferran Torres, who came within a whisker of completing a historic brace.

Argentina have just seven minutes left to equalise

Not a single shot from the Argentineans in 112 minutes of play... Will Messi and his teammates find the resources this time to get back into the game, as they have done throughout the tournament against Egypt, Switzerland and England?

The moment

Spain's Ferran Torres celebrates scoring their first goal with Nico Williams. (Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL Españaaaa

After 2,589 attempts, Spain finally break through.

The Roja have finally found a way past Argentina, with Ferran Torres putting them ahead!

Spain 1-0 Argentina. Vamooooooooos!!!

Still 0-0 at half-time in extra time

That's one too many times.

Despite another wave of clear Spanish chances — including Nico Williams’ disallowed goal — the two sides remain level at the break in extra time.

Just 15 minutes to go before the dreaded penalty shootout... How do you say “robbery” in "Argentinian"?

Another refereeing decision goes Argentina’s way

Criticized throughout the tournament for allegedly benefiting from favourable refereeing, Argentina have once again received a decisive call in their favour — as was already the case against Egypt and Switzerland.

One more Donald for the extra time.

Wife of Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, Diana Fox Carney, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, and U.S. President Donald Trump in the stands. (Credit: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

The goal is ruled out

The Serbian referee has ultimately called a foul by Merino in the build-up to Nico Williams’ shot.

It looks... questionable at best on the replays.

GOAL, No, wait — it’s disallowed!

Spain thought they had finally broken the deadlock, but the goal is ruled out.

Extra time begins with yet another Martínez dive

Argentina's goalkeeper #23 Emiliano Martinez makes a save during the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina . (Credit: Reuters)

It’s under way: 30 more minutes of football, still 0-0. Can Spain finally find a way past “Dibu” Martínez, who has transformed into a falcon tonight?

What a save from Martínez! Extra time it is...

Emiliano Martínez comes to Argentina’s rescue once again, producing another extraordinary save right at the death to deny Lamine Yamal from the final free kick of regulation time.

And so we get 30 extra minutes of football.

Now, who was it again who predicted 0-0 and extra time at the start of this live blog?

Dangerous free kick for Spain

Spain’s last chance to score before the end of the 90 minutes and avoid extra time...

Red card for Fernández

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández is shown a second yellow card, and is therefore sent off after his reckless foul on Cubarsí.

Argentina are down to 10 men for the first time in the tournament, with extra time looming.

Ohhhhhhh myyyyyyy!

What a strike from Nico Williams!

Spain continue to waste chances

Argentina's Emiliano Martinez makes a save. (Credit: James Lang/Reuters)

Spain have apparently started their grape-harvesting season early: Ferran Torres fails to hit the target once again, slicing his effort after meeting Rodri’s brilliant ball.

Spain have now had 13 shots, including eight on target.

Argentina, meanwhile, have had zero.

Has a World Cup finalist ever finished a match without a shot?

Meanwhile, in the commentary box...

Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji is doing an admirable job of making a 0-0 World Cup final sound like the most important thing that has ever happened to football.

And, to be fair, he is making a very convincing case.

#statsthathurt

Lionel Messi has touched the ball just 22 times in 83 minutes.
In fairness, that is one way of making yourself impossible to find.

Laporte comes agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock

French-born Spaniard Aymeric Laporte almost finds the key with a point-blank header — but, once again, Emiliano Martínez is there to collect it.

The Argentine goalkeeper appears to have been blessed with the gift of omnipresence in his youth.

84 minutes played. Still 0-0.

Meanwhile in Beirut

Fans watch the final in 'Beirut Sports City' in Beirut Waterfront. (Credit: Melissa Manouchakian)

The great Lebanese experiment in coexistence.

Martínez continues his one-man show!

Three huge chances in quick succession for Spain, with Pedri and Pedro Porro both seeing their efforts stopped — once again — by Emiliano Martínez.

The Argentine goalkeeper has now made eight saves tonight.

Some more reading, because the cadence seems to permit it

Lebanese football fans have always been willing to put their reputations on the line with wildly confident predictions. Increasingly, they are putting money on them too.

Read the full story here

Another chance for Torres!

Played in inside the box, Spain’s No. 7, Ferran Torres, meets the cross with a header but once again finds Emiliano Martínez in his way.

The Argentine goalkeeper has now made his 48th save of the match.

Is everyone hydrating?

For this second hydration/advertising break, we recommend watching this compilation of yesterday’s third-place play-off between France and England, which ended 6-4.

A useful reminder of what a football match with goals looks like.

Missing persons notice: Where is Lionel Messi?

Argentina's Lionel Messi (Credit: Lee Smith/Reuters)

The U.S. State Department issued a missing-person alert Sunday evening for a 39-year-old Argentine national named Lionel Messi, height: 1.7m.

He was last seen somewhere in the vicinity of New York/New Jersey Stadium, near New York.

If found, please do not attempt to ask him to take a free kick.

US First Lady Melania Trump (L) and US President Donald Trump attend the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina. (Credit: Reuters)

Donald: “I told them I’d end the war in 24 hours.”
Melania: “It’s been 65 minutes.”

Spain keep piling on the pressure

Argentina's Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi in action with Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)

Oyarzabal and Fabián Ruiz went close, followed by Olmo, as Spain continue to look increasingly dangerous in what has so far been a one-sided final.

Surely one of these is going in eventually.

Spain come flying out of the blocks!

Just seconds into the second half, Spain are back on the front foot, with Baena creating another chance down the left.

Can Argentina crack Spain’s safe?

The second half has just begun, so here’s a quick reminder of Spain’s remarkable defensive record.

To give you an idea of just how formidable Spain have been at the back, they have conceded only one goal since the start of the tournament — in their quarter-final against Belgium.

Even more remarkably, Spain have now gone 37 matches without losing in 90 or 120 minutes. Their only blemish during that extraordinary run, which dates back to March 2024, came in a penalty shootout defeat in the 2025 Nations League final.

But Argentina are nothing if not resilient. They have made a habit of comebacks throughout this tournament, with 12 of their 19 goals coming after the 75th minute.

So stay awake. Things could get lively.

Meanwhile in Beirut

Fans gather at 'Beirut Sports City' in Beirut Waterfront to watch the FIFA 2026 World Cup Final. (Credit: Melissa Manouchakian/L'Orient Today)

The hips don't lie.

Shakira performs during the halftime show. (Credit: Mark J Rebilas/Reuters)

Reading time: Why the Lebanese are such ardent supporters of Germany and Brazil

A question that has surely been asked in at least one Lebanese household during this tournament: why are we still supporting Germany and Brazil with the kind of unwavering loyalty usually reserved for family members who have done considerably less for us? The answer involves football, nostalgia, inherited allegiances and the Lebanese tendency to maintain a sporting commitment long after anyone can remember how it started.

Read the full story here.

A question from TS: "I'm lost, can I support both teams?"

No TS. You have to pick a side. This is why they play against each other.

An American-style half-time show awaits

A 30-minute spectacle is now getting under way, featuring Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and South Korean K-pop group BTS, among others.

If that particular musical line-up is not quite your thing, we recommend this other ’80s cover instead — once again, in honor of tonight’s host.

Half-time Spain trivia

1) Spain spent most of the 20th century being one of football's great “surely, one day” teams. Then, in 2010, they finally won the World Cup and immediately made everyone wonder why they had waited so long.

2) Spain's only previous World Cup final went to extra time. Andrés Iniesta scored in the 116th minute, which is a useful reminder that, at that stage of a final, there are still seven minutes left for someone to become immortal.

Half-time: Spain dominate, but Argentina are still very much alive

The match remains goalless at the break, with Spain clearly the better side so far. They have controlled possession, created the more dangerous openings and spent much of the first half pushing Argentina back.

Argentina, meanwhile, have struggled to create much going forward — but they have survived, and that is not nothing in a World Cup final. Spain have had the better half; Argentina still have 45 minutes to make that irrelevant.

Anyone seen Lionel Messi?

Spain are getting closer and closer to the opener, with Cucurella going close from the left.

The future Real Madrid full-back came within inches of capping Spain’s near-total dominance since the start of the match.

Hallelujah. Argentina finally gets a yellow card

Lisandro Martínez has picked up the first yellow card for Argentina after a poor challenge from behind — despite the long succession of fouls that preceded it.

Stats

After 35 minutes, Spain have dominated possession (63% to Argentina’s 37%) and have managed one shot on target — exactly one more than Argentina.

As expected, Spain have been patiently working their possession game, creating increasingly dangerous chances in Argentina’s box.

Oyarzabal’s latest effort, saved by Martínez, was the second shot on target of the match.

Your second quarter Donald fix

President Donald Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino standing next to U.S. first lady Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and King of Spain Felipe VI. (Credit: Evan Vucci/Reuters)

And we’re back

After that musical interlude, we can only hope the second quarter is a little more entertaining than the first.

Still 0-0 between Spain and Argentina. Are we heading for extra time?

Commercial break

To keep you entertained during this first hydration break/commercial break, here’s a cover of Desireless — which seems particularly appropriate to the current situation...

Did you know?

In 2007, during a UNICEF photoshoot organised when the organisation was a sponsor of FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi was photographed bathing a two-month-old baby.

That baby was Lamine Yamal.

Yamal’s family had been selected from among Barcelona residents to take part in the shoot, organised by freelance photographer Joan Monfort. Messi, then 20 and still a promising young player, was essentially giving a footballing baptism to the player who would take his place on Barcelona’s right wing nearly two decades later — before meeting him in a World Cup final. Prophetic, perhaps.

A first nasty tackle from McAllister

The Argentine midfielder has set the tone with a first crunching, two-footed tackle on Olmo... but no card.

Plenty of ammunition, then, for those who believe Argentina are being given preferential treatment by the officials.

Question from Tina: Why do football fans keep saying “we” when they are not playing?

Tina, because “we” is a small but important linguistic loophole that lets you take credit for the win and distance yourself from the defeat.

It’s started at a furious pace

Spain's Lamine Yamal reacts after his shot is saved by Argentina's Emiliano Martinez (Credit: Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

Spain have already created two huge chances, with Lamine Yamal repeatedly getting in behind down the right.

After a one-two with Olmo, Yamal had the first shot of the match — somehow kept out by Martínez.

Anyone worried about a cagey final can probably relax. It is not heading that way.

Let the football begin.

Just Tom Cruise.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 Actor Tom Cruise speaks during the closing ceremony before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

After the opening ceremony’s parade of stars, Tom Cruise also took to the pitch to deliver a speech — likely to remind both teams that the mission is always impossible.

Was the World Cup better before?

Was football actually better before, or were we simply younger, less online and more willing to believe that everything used to be better? In this editorial from a few days ago, Anthony Samrani considers nostalgia, the loss of football's old imperfections and the uncomfortable possibility that perhaps the game has not actually gone downhill and that we have simply become attached to the version we first loved.

Read here.

Trump has arrived. A peace deal should be imminent.

A presidential helicopter carrying U.S. President Donald Trump flies over the stadium ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. (Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach.)

The atmosphere is building in Beirut — and so is our commitment to El Camion, a Mexican bar-restaurant in Geitawi where some 200 people are expected tonight, many of them supporting Spain.

A L’Orient Today-certified address.

Fireworks explode above the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP)

The head-to-head record between the two teams

This is only the second time Spain and Argentina have met at a World Cup, following their group-stage face-off at the 1966 tournament. Argentina won that match 2-1.

Overall, the two sides had met 14 times before this final:

• 6 wins for Spain
• 6 wins for Argentina
• 2 draws

So the record is perfectly even. Good luck predicting the winner.

The 2026 World Cup final is about to get underway at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain and Argentina are facing off for the trophy.

This is the closing act of what FIFA president — and, in his own words, our “new [lebanese] compatriot” — Gianni Infantino once called “the greatest human, social and cultural event humanity has ever known.” Note that had said the same thing in Qatar in 2022.

The final is expected to be watched by around 1.8 billion people around the world.

On one side, La Roja, impressive in its control of the tournament from the outset, is chasing a second World Cup title after its 2010 triumph in South Africa. Victory would put Spain alongside France and Uruguay as two-time world champions.

On the other, Argentina is dreaming of giving Lionel Messi one final night of glory on the biggest stage. A victory would see it become the first team since Pelé’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups — and claim a fourth title overall, drawing level with Italy and Germany behind the untouchable Seleção, with its five.

The stage is set, and so are the stakes. Take your seats, get your predictions ready and prepare a few questionable jokes and approximate puns: we will be expecting all of them in the comments and in our inbox.

Kick-off is at 10 p.m. Beirut time.

And so, after a month of football, several minor geopolitical crises and matches at frankly unreasonable hours for those of us in Lebanon, we have arrived at the final, looking — perhaps unsurprisingly — a little like the Super Bowl.

Spain and Argentina face off for the trophy, and we’re covering it live. Have a question? Send it to livechatolj@lorientlejour.com and we may answer it as the evening unfolds.

Hello football fanatics

We'll be covering the Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final live this Sunday, July 19, at 10 p.m. (Beirut time). Every score, every card, every questionable VAR decision we'll all be yelling about, right here as it happens live.

This is the page to bookmark if you want to tune back in on Sunday. Get your snacks and predictions ready, and keep your heart rate under control.

In case you haven't already, send us your predictions, questions, or even a rant about how nervous you are — in the comments section if you're a subscriber, or by email at livechatolj@lorientlejour.com. We'll be reading as we go, and might throw a few into the blog.