Spain vs Argentina Player Ratings & Match Stats: Ferran Torres 8.5/10, Emiliano Martínez 8.2/10
Mark Strijbosch
Spain are world champions after a magnificent 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in a fairly one-sided final at the MetLife Stadium.
La Roja showed composure, courage and control throughout, refusing to be dragged into Argentina’s increasingly desperate battle. Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time before Ferran Torres delivered the defining moment, striking in the 106th minute to send Spain into delirium. Spain managed 12 shots on target, with Argentina failing to test Unai Simón throughout the entire match. Emiliano Martinez had an excellent game for Argentina, but there was no stopping the constant Spanish attacks.
Spain held firm, managed the closing stages brilliantly and completed a superb tournament with football’s greatest prize. Fully deserved from Spain, who never fell behind during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Player Ratings
Spain
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Unai Simón | 7.0 | Commanded his area with authority, sweeping decisively off his line to clear danger and distributing effectively from the back. |
Pedro Porro | 7.2 | Delivered the cross for the winning goal and combined repeatedly with Yamal to create Spain's primary attacking threat. |
Pau Cubarsí | 7.5 | Outstanding defensive display from the young centre-back, winning aerial duels and forcing Martínez into a save with a powerful strike. |
Aymeric Laporte | 7.1 | Provided defensive solidity for 99 minutes, winning aerial duels and heading towards goal from a corner in the 81st minute. |
Marc Cucurella | 7.0 | Arrived unmarked at the penalty spot in the 56th minute but was denied by Montiel's crucial block. |
Rodri | 7.3 | Dictated play with 116 actions on the ball, controlling tempo and providing defensive cover before his 99th-minute substitution. |
Fabián Ruiz | 6.8 | Contributed to possession dominance for 62 minutes but produced occasional errors including a poor pass out of play. |
Dani Olmo | 7.0 | Created from the number 10 position, forcing Martínez into an awkward save and completing several dribbles before withdrawal. |
Lamine Yamal | 7.2 | Constant menace with direct running, struck a brilliant curling free kick saved magnificently by Martínez diving to his right. |
Álex Baena | 6.8 | Operated on the left and delivered set pieces, but his weak shot was easily saved before being replaced. |
Mikel Oyarzabal | 6.6 | Led the line for 62 minutes but struggled for space, his first-time shot saved comfortably by Martínez. |
Ferran Torres | 8.5 | Match-winner who scored the decisive 106th-minute goal with a left-footed finish after Nico Williams's knockdown. |
Pedri | 6.9 | Added control in midfield from the 62nd minute, delivering the cross for Williams's header that drew Martínez's best save. |
Mikel Merino | 6.6 | Missed a clear header in the 103rd minute but blocked Messi's powerful shot with his head in the 117th. |
Nico Williams | 7.4 | Electrifying impact off the bench, headed the ball across for the winning goal and forced Martínez into superb saves. |
Martín Zubimendi | 6.4 | Entered in the 99th minute to replace Rodri, maintaining composure and passing rhythm in the closing stages. |
Eric García | 6.4 | Introduced in the 99th minute, helped maintain defensive organisation and contributed to the clean sheet through extra time. |
Argentina
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Emiliano Martínez | 8.2 | Exceptional display with 11 interventions, his 94th-minute save from Williams described as the tournament's most important. |
Gonzalo Montiel | 7.0 | Produced the defensive intervention of the match, blocking Cucurella's certain goal at the penalty spot in the 56th minute. |
Cristian Romero | 6.7 | Anchored the defence for 70 minutes, winning aerial duels and making clearances under sustained Spanish pressure. |
Lisandro Martínez | 6.0 | Limited impact due to injury, booked in the 41st minute before being forced off three minutes later. |
Nicolás Tagliafico | 6.5 | Battled throughout against Spain's dangerous right-sided attacks, defending resolutely but often pinned back by territorial dominance. |
Enzo Fernández | 4.5 | Costly indiscipline as two yellow cards in eight minutes left Argentina with ten men for extra time. |
Alexis Mac Allister | 6.3 | Worked tirelessly in central midfield but struggled to gain a foothold, booked in the 111th minute. |
Rodrigo De Paul | 6.4 | Occupied the right of midfield for 70 minutes, competing in duels but unable to influence the attacking third. |
Nico González | 6.0 | Struggled to make an impact before halftime substitution, rarely finding opportunities to link play with Messi. |
Julián Álvarez | 5.8 | Starved of service throughout, isolated as Argentina defended deep with no clear chances before his 102nd-minute withdrawal. |
Lionel Messi | 5.9 | Frustratingly peripheral with only 54 actions, his one moment of quality a powerful shot blocked by Merino. |
Nicolás Otamendi | 6.5 | Entered in the 44th minute for injured Lisandro Martínez, providing experienced cover with aerial duels and timely interceptions. |
Leandro Paredes | 5.8 | Introduced at halftime but booked in the 52nd minute for confrontational behaviour, unable to help Argentina gain control. |
Nahuel Molina | 6.2 | Replaced Montiel in the 58th minute, defended adequately against Nico Williams and used pace to recover. |
Facundo Medina | 6.2 | Introduced in the 70th minute to replace Romero, defended stoutly during extra time under relentless Spanish attacks. |
Giuliano Simeone | 5.7 | Had Argentina's best chance but volleyed over from close range when a corner fell to him at the spot. |
Marcos Senesi | 6.0 | Came on as defensive reinforcement in the 102nd minute, helping shore up the backline as Argentina sought penalties. |
