Ferran Torres punishes Argentina after Enzo Fernández red card in World Cup Final

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·19 de julio de 2026

Ferran Torres punishes Argentina after Enzo Fernández red card in World Cup Final

Spain claimed their second World Cup title with a 1–0 extra-time victory over Argentina in a final they dominated from start to finish. Ferran Torres struck the decisive goal in the 106th minute, converting from close range after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro's cross back across goal.

Argentina's task became insurmountable when Enzo Fernández was sent off at 90+3' for a second yellow card, leaving them with 10 men for the entire 30 minutes of extra time. Emiliano Martínez produced a stunning display in goal but could not prevent Spain from eventually breaking through. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Spain v Argentina.

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Winners

Ferran Torres (Spain)

Torres delivered the moment that defined Spain's World Cup triumph, coming off the bench to score the winning goal in extra time. His left-footed finish from close range in the 106th minute broke the deadlock after 105 frustrating minutes for La Roja.

Introduced in the 62nd minute for Mikel Oyarzabal, Torres immediately added movement and threat to Spain's attack. He forced Emiliano Martínez into a save with a header before finding the net when it mattered most, arriving at the right spot when Nico Williams nodded the ball back across the six-yard box.

Torres also had a second goal correctly ruled out for offside at 114', demonstrating his constant danger in behind Argentina's defence. His composure in front of goal when Spain needed it most earned his nation their second World Cup crown.

Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)

Despite ending on the losing side, Martínez produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays in World Cup Final history. His 11 interventions, including five saves from inside the box, single-handedly prevented what could have been a heavy defeat against Spain's relentless attack.

His save from Nico Williams's header at 94' required extraordinary reflexes and was described as the most important stop of the tournament. He also brilliantly tipped away Lamine Yamal's curling free kick and denied Aymeric Laporte's close-range header at 81'. Every time Spain appeared certain to score, Martínez found a way to keep Argentina level.

The goalkeeper gave Argentina every chance to reach a penalty shootout, but even his heroics could not overcome his side being reduced to 10 men. Only Torres's finish from point-blank range finally beat him after 105 minutes of defiance.

Loser

Enzo Fernández (Argentina)

Fernández's costly indiscipline fundamentally altered the trajectory of the World Cup Final. His second yellow card at 90+3' for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí left Argentina with 10 men for the entire 30 minutes of extra time, a numerical disadvantage from which they never recovered.

The midfielder's first booking at 82' for simulation or dissent was a warning he failed to heed. His subsequent challenge on Cubarsí was needless, sending the Spanish defender tumbling and leaving referee Slavko Vinčić with no choice but to show a second yellow and dismiss him from the field.

Argentina, who had defended resolutely for 90 minutes and kept Spain at bay despite creating nothing offensively, suddenly faced an impossible task. Within nine minutes of extra time beginning, Spain scored the winner. Fernández's moment of recklessness became the defining error of the final.