Spain captured the 2026 FIFA World Cup championship in dramatic fashion, defeating France 2-1 after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
The victory gives Spain its second World Cup title and first since defeating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in the 2010 final.
France controlled possession for much of the match, holding a 61-39 advantage, but Spain proved clinical whenever it won the ball back. La Roja repeatedly threatened on the counterattack, placing five of its 10 shots on target while limiting the French to just two shots on frame.
France struck first in the 34th minute when Kylian Mbappé ran onto a perfectly lofted pass and rifled a left-footed shot into the upper-right corner from the edge of the penalty area. The goal was Mbappé’s sixth of the tournament.
Spain came close to leveling before halftime as Mikel Oyarzabal met a cross with a header that sailed just over the crossbar. The Spaniards continued to push after the break, and in the 64th minute Fabián Ruiz forced goalkeeper Mike Maignan into a spectacular diving save from outside the box.
Spain’s persistence finally paid off in the 80th minute. Torres found space inside the penalty area and calmly drove his shot inside the right post to bring the match level at 1-1.
With extra time looming, Spain produced one final attack. In the first minute of stoppage time, Dani Olmo slipped a pass into the penalty area for Torres, who took a touch before firing a composed finish into the far corner to complete his brace and send the Spanish supporters into celebration.
Spain’s relentless pressure and clinical finishing proved the difference, capping a remarkable tournament run with another World Cup trophy. France fell just short in its bid to reclaim the title, while Torres etched his name into Spanish football history with one of the most memorable performances in a World Cup final.
If this is the final article in your tournament series, I’d also recommend adding a brief “Tournament Awards” section afterward (Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove, Best Young Player, Best XI), similar to how FIFA concludes each World Cup. It would provide a fitting epilogue to the tournament.
