Spain vs Argentina: Player Ratings, Match Stats & Player of the Match for the World Cup Final
Ben McAleer
Spain and Argentina locked horns in the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. It was a showdown between two of football’s heavyweights, worthy of a final clash to determine the 2026 World Cup winners.
La Roja were arguably the best team at the tournament. Despite their profligacy, they never really looked like conceding. It’s hardly a shock they shipped just once on their way to glory. They didn’t go behind at all during the North America showpiece.
And while Argentina showed the necessary grit and determination to make it to Sunday’s final, they were a level below this tempo-setting Spain side. They suffocated the 2022 champions, starved them of possession. If this is to be Lionel Messi’s last Argentina game, it was one he was unable to make an impact in as Spain dictated.
Super Spain blunt Argentina
Spain may have dominated the ball, but they struggled to make their dominance count in the opening 45 minutes. Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal saw efforts well dealt with by Emiliano Martinez. Marc Cucurella then dragged an effort just wide.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni threw Leandro Paredes on in a bid to wrestle back a semblance of control. The 32-year-old caused more harm than good. Indeed, he gave the ball away also immediately after the second half kicked off. Martinez spared his blushes before the former Roma man was booked in a disastrous start.
Spain continued to huff and puff to find the breakthrough as Aymeric Laporte, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres all chanced their luck after the interval.
Martinez, though, was in inspired form for the Albiceleste, repelling every attacking threat. And as Argentina continued to be forced back, their quest for a fourth World Cup became that bit harder when Enzo Fernandez received his marching orders in second-half stoppage time.
The Argentina shotstopper ensured the game went to extra time with a fine stop to turn a late Yamal free-kick behind for a corner.
However, it was only a matter of time before Spain found the breakthrough once they had the numerical advantage. Williams put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for a supposed foul by Merino on Nicolas Otamendi in the first half of extra time.
The winger was key as La Roja finally found a way past Martinez, as Williams headed a deep cross into the path of Ferran to rifle in what proved to be the winning goal. Argentina did come close to a late equaliser, Giuliano Simeone firing from 12 yards over following a corner, yet Spain were good value for their 1-0 victory as they won the World Cup for the second time.
Key moments from the World Cup Final
Lisandro Martinez’s withdrawal
Shortly before half time, Lisandro Martinez signalled that he couldn’t continue. The Manchester United man has been key for the South American giants throughout the tournament.
However, he needed to be withdrawn and replaced with Nicolas Otamendi in the 44th minute. Argentina’s defence may not have been at their best throughout the World Cup, yet the partnership of Martinez and Cristian Romero brings that bite to the back.
They also have the requisite distribution to help build attacks from the back. The pair rank third (427) and fourth (411) for passes, respectively, for Argentina at the World Cup. They’re more mobile than the experienced Otamendi. Martinez’s exit paved the way for Spain to push Argentina further back.
Leandro Paredes’ introduction
Lionel Scaloni could only watch on helplessly as his Argentina side were overrun by Spain. Bizarrely, Scaloni dropped Leandro Paredes for the World Cup Final, this despite his role in wins over Egypt, Switzerland and England.
Even so, Rodrigo De Paul and Nico Gonzalez were given the nod ahead of Paredes. Scaloni sought to rectify the issue by introducing the 32-year-old for the second half. It proved disastrous. Paredes almost gifted Spain a goal moments after coming on. He was booked in the 51st minute. Only Nicolas Taglifico (5) committed more fouls (4).
And once the full-time whistle was blown, Paredes lost his head, receiving his marching orders in the process. His was a disastrous cameo.
Enzo Fernandez’s red card
Who knows how Argentina would have fared had they played 11 vs 11 for extra time. Yes, the South American side were second-best to this suffocating Spain side. However, the numerical disadvantage meant Argentina were chasing shadows after normal time had drawn to a close.
Enzo Fernandez was dismissed for a ridiculous challenge on Pau Cubarsi in second-half stoppage time. The Chelsea man went in late on the Spain teenager and was rightly shown his marching orders.
The dismissal didn’t change the complexion of the match itself. Spain were dominant even with Fernandez on the pitch. They would have stood a much better chance with the 25-year-old on the field.
Ferran Torres’ winning goal
Spain huffed and puffed and a minute into the second half of extra time, they finally blew Argentina down. And it was the unlikeliest of heroes who struck for Luis de la Fuente’s men.
Ferran Torres has been on the receiving end of his fair share of criticism during this World Cup. He missed a guilt-edged chance in the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde way back on matchday one.
Fans had praised Lamine Yamal’s return, if only so Ferran didn’t have to start anymore. And yet, it was the Barcelona man who fired Spain to 2026 glory. It was the 26-year-old’s only goal of the World Cup. He picked his perfect moment.
Player of the Match: Emiliano Martinez
Yes, Argentina didn’t win the World Cup. They were on the backfoot for the duration of the World Cup Final. However, Emiliano Martinez gave the Albiceleste a fighting chance of successfully defending their crown.
Martinez made a total of 11 saves across 120 minutes of action. While Spain’s efforts were hardly the most testing, he was still on hand to repel nigh-on every attacking threat. He was arguably the only Argentina player who could leave the field of play with his head held high.
Spain vs Argentina Player Ratings & Match Stats: Ferran Torres 8.5/10, Emiliano Martínez 8.2/10
Rodri
Spain’s metronome. Rodri’s distribution and composure allowed La Roja to dominate the game. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player, and deservedly so.
Pau Cubarsi
At just 19 years of age, he put in a performance that belied his tender years. Pau Cubarsi was another influential player as Spain pipped Argentina to the World Cup.
Dani Olmo
On another day, he would have had an assist. Found a number of pockets of space in the final third to keep the Argentina backline at bay.
Spain Player Ratings
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 Ratings
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. |
Spain 1-0 Argentina Match Stats
Spain | Stat | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
1 | Goals | 0 |
1.94 | Expected Goals | 0.17 |
20 | Shots | 2 |
12 | Shots on target | 0 |
15 | Chances created | 2 |
17 | Tackles | 18 |
11 | Interceptions | 16 |
22 | Clearances | 24 |
852 | Passes attempted | 464 |
65 | Possession (%) | 35 |
