Spain players and coaches celebrate after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina on July 19, 2026
| Photo Credit: YUKI IWAMURA
Spain’s win over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final might have read a modest 1-0, but the scoreline hid what was in plain sight throughout.
Spain smothered the Argentines, denying them the ball and disrupting any fluid move, so that the defending champions ended the full 120 minutes, extra time included, without a single shot on target. How did it manage that against a team featuring Lionel Messi?
Published – July 21, 2026 10:42 am IST