Spain leaned on a rock-solid defense to allow the fewest points in FIFA World Cup history and climbed back to the top for the first time in 16 years.
The Spain national team led by coach Luis de la Fuente fought a fierce back-and-forth with defending champion Argentina in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on the 20th (KST). After a scoreless draw in regulation, Spain won 1-0 in extra time when Ferran Torres struck a dramatic winner in the first minute of the second extra period.
At this tournament, Spain showcased its signature passing game that completely controlled matches with high possession and ferocious high pressing, taking the title unbeaten at 7 wins and 1 draw. Except for a 0-0 draw in its group opener against Cape Verde, which made its first-ever appearance in the finals, Spain rang up wins in every match.
Winning while allowing only one goal is a first in World Cup history. Until now, the fewest was two goals conceded, recorded by France in 1998, Italy in 2006, and Spain in 2010. Spain scored 14 goals at this tournament—fewer than Argentina (19) or England and France (20 each), which reached the semifinals—but a locked-down, ironclad defense put it back on top of the world.
That sturdy defense shone even brighter in the final. Although Spain found itself with a numerical edge late when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández left the field on accumulated cautions, the flow of the game had belonged to Spain well before the transfer of numbers.
Argentina, led by "the god of soccer" Lionel Messi, who had 8 goals and 4 assists through the semifinals, was stymied by Spain's central pairing of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí, managing only two shots over 120 minutes including extra time. The attack looked lifeless, failing to record a single shot on target. Not until the 12th minute of the second extra period did Messi attempt Argentina's first shot, which struck Mikel Merino in the face.
Spain dictated play with high possession and, even when it lost the ball, quickly transitioned and pressed to win it back. The gaps behind a high defensive line were flawlessly covered by goalkeeper Unai Simón with sharp decision-making. From the 2022 Qatar tournament through the Belgium match at this tournament, Simón went a combined 649 minutes without conceding, the longest shutout streak by a goalkeeper in World Cup history.
Coach de la Fuente, who took the Spain reins after the Qatar World Cup, broke the record for the longest unbeaten streak in major international tournaments as national team boss. He followed a perfect 7-for-7 title run at the 2024 European Championship (Euro 2024) by extending his mark at this tournament to 15 straight in major competitions without defeat (14 wins, 1 draw).