NEW DELHI: Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph was about much more than lifting the trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s side created history by becoming only the fourth team to win a World Cup without trailing for a single minute during the tournament.Before Spain, only Italy (1938), Italy (1982) and Germany (1990) had achieved the feat. La Roja also set another remarkable record. They became the first World Cup-winning team to concede just one goal throughout the entire tournament.Spain sealed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win over defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
How Spain’s unbeaten run unfolded
Spain began their campaign with a surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup debutants Cabo Verde despite creating 27 chances. They then defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal and becoming Spain’s second-youngest scorer.A hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay, courtesy of Alex Baena’s goal, helped Spain finish top of their group.In the knockout rounds, Spain beat Austria 3-0, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro adding another. Goalkeeper Unai Simon also broke Walter Zenga’s World Cup record by going 519 minutes without conceding.Spain then edged Portugal 1-0 after substitute Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner set up by Ferran Torres.In the quarter-finals, Merino struck again as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 after Fabian Ruiz had opened the scoring.Spain produced one of their best performances in the semi-finals, beating France 2-0 through Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Porro’s goal.Finally, Torres’ extra-time strike against Argentina completed a memorable campaign as Spain lifted the World Cup for the second time while setting two extraordinary records.
Ferran Torres delivers the winning goal
The decisive moment came in the 106th minute. Argentina were down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.Lamine Yamal started the move down the right before finding Pedro Porro. The full-back’s cross was about to go out of play, but substitute Nico Williams headed it back into the middle. Another substitute, Ferran Torres, met the ball perfectly with his left foot to beat Emiliano Martínez.It was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, while Argentina had still not managed an attempt on goal.After scoring, Torres celebrated by kicking the corner flag before being mobbed by his teammates.Reflecting on his match-winning goal, Torres said: “I think at the end of the day, it was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said. “I feel very happy. I was heavily criticized during the World Cup, but I think it was written in destiny and things. But I always have that chance, that option to continue, and God gives it to those who believe it, who deserve it most.”Torres almost scored again later in extra time but was ruled offside as Spain held on to become world champions.
