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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Marty Vergel Baes

10 Photos of Lionel Messi: Argentina's La Pulga's Efforts Fall Short, Spain Wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi's efforts to help Argentina capture the second World Cup title. Spain won the finals. (Credit: leomessi/Instagram)

Spain ended Argentina's reign as world champions with a 1-0 extra‑time win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, denying Lionel Messi a farewell triumph on football's biggest stage.

Ferran Torres emerged as the match‑winner at New York New Jersey Stadium, scoring in the 106th minute after more than 100 minutes of Spanish pressure to secure a second men's World Cup title and stop Argentina becoming the first nation in nearly seven decades to defend the trophy.

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