Spain 1-0 Argentina: Torres 106
After 106 minutes, the gates of Argentina were finally broken. The battering ram had done its work. A relentless Spain had been on the rise since the hour mark. The siege reached its height after the impetuous Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time of regulation time, and with Ferran Torres slamming in the winner in extra time, this Spain team could follow closely in the footsteps of their predecessors, who became world champions as European champions in 2010, with a lone goal in extra time from Andres Iniesta.
This was intoxicating, high-grade premium-ball from Spain. Here a supremely talented side had to show discipline and calm to nullify an Argentina team whose gameplan was essentially to do nothing. Just break the game down. Stop Spain from playing. As of extra time, they had not made any attempt, not even off target. In his last World Cup game, Lionel Messi was basically a bystander.
But you could sense the moment coming for Spain. Lamine Yamal stuttered on the right and sent the ball to Pedro Porro, who put in a looping cross to the far post that was knocked back under pressure by Nico Williams. Running to meet it unmarked in the box was Torres, who smashed into the roof to Spanish exultation.
Time stood still for Ferran Torres 📸#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RrPAwwfJvh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
Watching this game basically felt like spending 90 minutes watching a dog do splits. Yes, it is fascinating but at some point it gets exhausting. Argentina here were aggressive and offered little on the ball, digging their heels in and covering the ground with a dark energy.
Spain kept the ball but proceedings were stop-start, with interminable fouling, breeding a first half of utterly depressing football that left the average fan gazing into the bleak sky and wondering about the death of all things. Is this really sport anymore?
Yamal got in behind as early as five minutes but did not get enough on his shot and Lisandro Martinez could block, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez did just enough to keep the ball from getting past him. Approaching half time, Marc Cucurella dragged a shot wide and that was it.
In the second half the tempo improved, Spain turned the heat on and the dismal mood began to lift. A promising breakaway ended in disappointing fashion after Mikel Oyarzabal’s poor pass forward to Fabian Ruiz led to Spain getting clamped down. Dani Olmo was soon put through and played a cut-back to Cucurella, but Argentina defender Gonzalo Montiel got there first.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente began to sense the opportunity and brought on Torres and Pedri for Oyarzabal and Ruiz. Spain continued to enjoy good moments. After the hour, Olmo tested Martinez from the edge of the box and the goalie handled it awkwardly and out for a corner. Yamal’s cross was flicked away for a corner by Leandro Paredes. Then the teenager drove down the byline and his cross found Torres, but Martinez was able to save the header.
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After the hydration break, De la Fuente tinkered once more, bringing on Mikel Merino and Williams for Alex Baena and Olmo, and Spain continued to turn the screw. Rodri fired over from 25 yards and Williams’s speculative effort was parried by Martinez.
Then Fernandez was sent off with a second yellow card after barging into Pau Cubarsi, having been booked for dissent moments earlier. Martinez saved the resulting freekick from Yamal and matters were moved into extra time.
But Spain had the advantage now and they found an extra gear to click into. Williams thought he had won it when he ran onto a loose ball to pass into the net, but the goal was disallowed as Merino had fouled Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up. Merino then headed narrowly wide from Williams’s cross as the pressure continued. Spain would not be denied for much longer.
