Spain outclassed defending champions Argentina in a lopsided final 1-0 when Ferran Torres scored the solitary goal in the 106th minute of the extra-time ending Lionel Messi’s dream-run, and give the European champions the deserved advantage following their on-field dominance in regulation time. This reminisces Spain’s first-ever World Cup win, when Andres Iniesta scored in the 116th minute of extra-time. Ankit Pattnaik sums up the quadrennial tournament that lasted 39 days.
World at Mbappe’s feet
French captain Kylian Mbappé becomes the first-ever player to win two back-to-back Golden Boots. He ended with 10 goals and 4 assists this World Cup – going past Messi in the total goals tally at 22 (leading the all-time list). In Qatar in 2022, Mbappe scored 8 goals and 2 assists including a hat-trick in the final.
Rodri’s Golden moment
Spanish captain Rodri won the Golden Ball. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner lead Spain in all the 8 matches and anchoring the midfield. Rodri completed 753 passes with 94% accuracy.
Simón wins Golden Glove
Unai Simón won the Golden Glove award as the best goalkeeper. The Athletic Bilbao keeper featured in all the matches for Spain logging 750 minutes on the pitch and kept a record-breaking 7 clean sheets. Simón conceded a solitary goal against Belgium in the quarter-final.
Best young player
Pau Cubarsi, the 19-year-old Spanish centre-back won the Best Young Player award in the FIFA World Cup 2026. He was instrumental in a historic defence that conceded just one goal in the entire tournament. He was involved in 46 defences and 7 clean sheets across 8 matches.
Messi’s fairytale ends!
Argentine great Messi failed to weave his magic in the final, like he did throughout La Albiceletes’ campaign. The icon ended the American sojourn with 8 goals and 4 assists, perhaps ending an illustrious career that spanned over six World Cups.
