Spain outlasts Argentina 1

Spain outlasts Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win second World Cup title

Spain’s Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute. Spain last won in 2010.

Ferran Torres’ goal in the 106th minute delivered Spain its second World Cup title Sunday in a win over Argentina that was tense but one-sided.

The shot was Spain’s 12th on goal, all while defending champion Argentina had produced zero. Yet for how often Spain peppered Argentina’s defense with shots, its brilliant goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez rebuffed every Spanish attempt while setting a record for saves in the World Cup final with 11.

Martínez, however, could not stop the shot rocketed by Torres after Nico Williams headed a pass his way in extra time.

“Honestly I did not think too much,” Torres said on the Fox broadcast after the game. “I just saw the ball coming to me and I shot with the power of all the Spanish people.”

The championship dethroned Argentina, which was trying to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962. Among those celebrating Spain’s victory in the stands in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium were members of the 2010 Spanish team that previously won the World Cup.

Torres appeared to seal the game later in extra time when Spain got the ball on a counterattack and he was all alone as he raced toward the goal and beat Martínez again for an apparent 2-0 lead. But Torres was ruled offside by a shoulder, and Spain was left to survive a few wild minutes as Argentina, at last, produced two shots that threatened to forge a tie in the final moments.

Argentina played with 10 men for the final 30 minutes after Enzo Fernández was sent off for picking up his second yellow card after his challenge sent Spain’s Pau Cubarsí flying head over heels.

Playing a man down did not help Argentina’s chances, after it went the full 90 minutes of regulation without generating a single shot against Spain’s dominating possession. Lionel Messi finished with 54 touches but just one shot.

“We need to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the game. “I would have loved to know what would have happened if we still had 11 men on the pitch. There were many obstacles tonight. The opponent played very well of course. … The substitutions we had to make were because of injuries, not because of tactical fine-tuning.”

“I already cried my heart out in the locker room,” he added. “That’s why I’m not crying now, but I do have to be thankful to this group, because they were warriors, and that is the truth. We competed against an amazing team.”

Spain is the first country to win consecutive men and women’s World Cups

Spain won its first women’s World Cup in 2023 but the joyous event was quickly marked by scandal. Former federation president Luis Rubiales marred the title by kissing player Jenni Hermosillo without her consent. Rubiales was eventually forced out of his role and issued a ban by FIFA, despite insisting he did nothing wrong.

Rodri, who just won the Golden Ball for the best player in the World Cup, was among the men’s players who issued a statement of solidarity with the women. The letter called Rubiales’ behavior “unacceptable” and that it tarnished the women’s success.

“We place ourselves firmly and clearly on the side of the values that sport represents,” the letter read. “Spanish football must be an engine of respect, inspiration, inclusion and diversity and must set an example with its conduct both on and off the field.”

After runner-up finish, Lionel Messi sheds tears on field

The Argentine superstar showed little emotion as he crossed a dais filled with FIFA dignitaries and the heads of state of Mexico and Canada and President Donald Trump, who placed a medal around Messi's neck. But when Messi stepped down to the field and began to face the stands, his expression broke and the 39-year-old began to openly cry after Argentina fell short in defending its title.

Hector Vivas / FIFA via Getty Images

Here are the award winners from the 2026 World Cup

Ferran Torres says his goal was a 'huge sense of relief' for Spain

In a postgame interview, Ferran Torres spoke about his goal that cemented Spain's lead.

“It’s huge sense of relief," he said. “In the end, all finals are difficult. And when you have Messi on the rival team, there’s always nerves. But in the end, we always relied on ourselves to play our style of soccer, and I think that today we proved that once again.”

Speaking of Spain’s victory, he said “destiny is written.”

“I thank God. He always gives me strength to keep going, and ultimately, as they say, God gives things to those who deserve it the most.”

Trump enters field to boos from the crowd

President Donald Trump walked onto the pitch with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and received boos from the crowd. They will present Spain with the World Cup trophy momentarily.

Spain claims second World Cup title via late goal

This World Cup victory followed a similar script to the country's first win, in 2010.

Then, playing the Netherlands, it was Andrés Iniesta who scored in the 116th minute for the goal that held up as the winner in a 1-0 victory.

Today in New Jersey, Spain won again after a goal by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. He is just the second substitute to score the winning goal in a World Cup final.

Now it’s Spain’s chance to win back-to-back World Cups

With Argentina’s loss today, we still haven’t seen a country win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Now it’s Spain’s opportunity to win two in a row in 2030. Spain was the defending champ in 2014 but bowed out in the group stage.

Will we see Messi in another major tournament for Argentina?

Lionel Messi has said this will be his final World Cup, as he will be 43 years old by the end of the 2030 tournament.

Messi, for what it’s worth, also hinted the 2022 World Cup would be his final one. For now, there is perhaps still a chance he suits up for the next Copa America tournament, which will be held in 2028.

Spain has won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dominant performance in the final, putting the finishing touch on an undefeated tournament.

Spain was in control throughout the match Sunday, not allowing a single shot on goal by Argentina. It was the continuation of a suffocating defensive effort, as Spain conceded only one goal the entire World Cup.

The lone goal in the final was scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, who broke through in the second extra period as Argentina was down to only 10 men.

Spain’s performance prevented Argentina from winning back-to-back World Cups, and it may have ended Lionel Messi’s international career with a loss.

Another great chance for Argentina

After a Lionel Messi corner, the ball reached Giuliano Simeone just outside the penalty box, but his right-footed volley sailed high over the goal.

Corner for Argentina after incredible chance

Lionel Messi passed the ball to a teammate who then played a ball to the middle of the box, but it was deflected out of bounds before an Argentine player could get to the ball.

Spain's Merino stays down after taking a Messi shot to the face

Mikel Merino paid for his critical stop of a Lionel Messi shot in the 115th minute.

Lionel Messi had one of the few opportunities of the day to shoot, but Merino stood in his path and absorbed the force of the ball directly to his forehead. He stayed on the pitch for several minutes before being taken off for a medical evaluation.

Spain, at last, breaks through to take the lead!

Right after the teams came out of their water break to finish the second half of added time, Spain strikes to take the lead.

This goal had been building since the start of the second half, when the Spanish began peppering Argentina with shot after shot, all saved by the brilliant Emiliano Martínez.

But he couldn't stop this one. A pass lobbed past the goal found Nico Williams, who was able to tap it backward to Ferran Torres, and Torres drilled the opportunity for the 1-0 lead.

Argentina playing for penalties now

Spain is attacking almost at will now, and it seems Scaloni's bet is to outlast his opponents and take this to penalties, as evidenced by the introduction of center-back Marcos Senesi for forward Alvarez and the subsequent change of defensive shape from a back four to a back five.

Will the Argentine dam hold for another 15 minutes or will Yamal, Williams, Mikel Merino or Ferran Torres finally open the scoring — and likely secure the victory — for Spain?

We’re switching sides in extra time

The first extra time period ends with no goals. Argentina is hanging on by a thread, however, as Spain has been attacking relentlessly with the man advantage.

Spain scores apparent goal, only for foul to keep match scoreless

Nico Williams seemed to have broken this game open in the 96th minute when the ball, bouncing around a disorganized Argentine back line, found Williams and he poked it in on his first touch. But this tournament that has been such a source of officiating-centered debate could not end without a controversial call. Referees ruled that Spain's Mikel Merino had fouled Argentina before the goal by stepping on the foot of his defender in the build-up.

Rico Brouwer / Soccrates Images via Getty Images

Emiliano Martínez makes his record-extending 11th save

The Argentine goalkeeper set the record for saves in a World Cup final earlier this match, and he added to his total in extra time, making a diving stop on a Nico Williams header.

Thirty more minutes of action, all of which Argentina will have to play with only 10 men.

The walls are closing in on Argentina

The whole second half was dominated by Spain, and now with Enzo Fernández's rash challenge to earn a second yellow and get himself sent off, it's hard to see how Argentina gets back into the game.

You can't fully count out La Albiceleste given the numerous comebacks we've seen them pull off in this World Cup alone, but a comeback is much harder to pull off a man down.

Spain has 30 minutes of extra time to find the back of the net, and it's playing against an Argentina side that has multiple players who are growing increasingly frustrated and lashing out.

Unbelievable tension at MetLife Stadium

Fans in the stands were on their feet the moment that Enzo Fernandez was sent off the pitch until the moment the whistle blew. Argentine supporters then went wild after Emiliano Martínez made a miraculous save off the tip of his fingers to keep the South American team alive for extra time.

The Argentina fans have had few moments to cheer for in the last 100 minutes or so.

Full time: Spain 0, Argentina 0

What a finish to the second half.

Lamine Yamal took a free kick late in stoppage time that was pushed aside by Emiliano Martínez, his 10th save of the game.

We now head to extra time, where Argentina will be forced to play with only 10 men after the red card to Enzo Fernández.

Are we headed to penalties for the second straight World Cup final? Or can Spain take advantage with Argentina one man down?

Regulation ends with Yamal's free kick, which is stopped

This match had gone three minutes past its original allotted added time in regulation when Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal lined up for a free kick outside the 18-yard box, the tension incredible. Lamal ended up taking the kick, which was saved by Emiliano Martinez in his 10th save of the match. An incredibly dramatic end before we go to 30 minutes of extra time.

Tom Weller / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Nico Williams takes late shot instead of passing to an open Yamal

With Lamine Yamal open and running down the left side of the pitch without a defender anywhere nearby, Spain's Nico Williams kept the ball himself on a breakaway and fired Spain's eighth on-target shot of the match, which was saved. That decision will be debated once this match ends, one way or another.

Chaotic stretch ends in red card for Enzo Fernández

Argentina is down to 10 men after a second yellow on Enzo Fernández led to him being sent off.

The card came after a wild stretch of play. First, Argentina had a free kick that ultimately led to its first shot of the game. After a save, Spain went on the counterattack and had a great chance, but a Nico Williams shot was saved by Emiliano Martínez, his ninth save of the game.

After the save, Fernández was sent off for a foul on Pau Cubarsí.

Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images

Only four minutes of stoppage time

Will we see a goal before extra time? Spain has spent most of this half in the attacking third.

Both teams are effective closers — can either take this before extra time?

Argentina's ability to pull off a win late in matches is by now the team's calling card during this World Cup, after late wins to beat Cape Verde, Switzerland and England during the knockout stage. As my colleague Rohan Nadkarni mentioned earlier in this blog, Argentina has outscored its opponents by eight goals after the 67th minute this tournament.

So, when it comes to calming the nerves and coming up clutch, Argentina might seem to hold the advantage. But don't forget that Spain won two knockout matches on late goals by Mikel Merino, who substituted in during this second half to try to generate more pressure near the goal.

Yellow card for Argentina’s Enzo Fernández

Fernández was carded after expressing displeasure following the lack of a foul call.

More attacking potential down the left is on for Spain

We spoke about Álex Baena being one of the players giving Molina trouble down Spain's left.

Well, a tough afternoon just got tougher for for Argentina's right-back, with Nico Williams coming on for Baena. The skillful and speedy winger will surely be looking to beat Molina one-on-one.

Emiliano Martínez has been Argentina’s man of the match

The goalkeeper has made a whopping seven saves in this match, keeping Spain out of the goal despite repeated attacks in the second half.

Florencia Tan Jun / Getty Images

Spain's Baena and Cucurella are creating trouble down the left side

Álex Baena and Marc Cucurella are giving the Argentine defense fits down the left side, causing trouble for Nahuel Molina, who came on as a sub for Argentina's starting right-back, Gonzalo Montiel.

Watch for Cucurella coming inside and taking advantage of the half-spaces.

Spain midfielder Álex Baena runs with the ball. Pedro Ugarte / AFP via Getty Images

Another sleepy final for the United States

The last World Cup final to take place in the U.S. ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time. Brazil ultimately defeated Italy in penalties in the 1994 final.

Are we headed for a similar outcome today?

It’s time for the second-half hydration break

We’re still scoreless as we approach the final stretch of the World Cup final.

Spain has opened up offensively, recording 0.53 expected goals in the second half alone. Argentina, meanwhile, is on its heels and stuck on 0.00 expected goals.

Argentina has been great post-hydration break during the knockout stage, and it will need to conjure some more magic to overcome Spain’s growing attack.

Yet again, Spain threatens but can't score

Before he ran out of bounds near the goal, Lamine Yamal lobbed a beautiful cross in front of the goal to teammate Ferran Torres, but the header was stopped by Emiliano Martínez. This half has been all Spain in terms of which team has been the aggressor.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saves from Spain's Lamine Yamal. Martin Rickett / PA Images via Getty Images

Are we in store for more late magic from Argentina?

Argentina has been better in the latter stages of matches during the knockout round.

From the first minute to the 67th, Argentina has been outscored by three goals since the round of 32. From the 68th minute onward, however, Argentina has outscored opponents by eight goals.

Whether or not it takes the lead in the next few minutes, Spain can’t afford to take its foot off the gas.

Forward Mikel Oyarzabal and midfielder Fabián Ruiz are taken off by Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, and in their place are midfielder Pedri and forward Ferran Torres.

Messi getting involved in the center of the park

After he had an almost anonymous first half, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni clearly wants the greatest player of all time to get more involved.

We're seeing Lionel Messi move into the center of the pitch this second half, and he's already getting more touches. Argentina, however, has still not unlocked the Spanish defense and it's Spain that's looking more dangerous.

Franck Fife / AFP via Getty Images

Two Spanish chances, two missed opportunities

Mikel Oyarzabal and Álex Baena tried playing give-and-go in the 18-yard box in the 54th minute, but it seemed Oyarzabal wasn't prepared for Baena to pass back to him, and the chance was wasted.

Just a couple minutes later, Spain's Dani Olmo had a free run down the right side with the ball, but when he crossed the ball into the box, none of his teammates were close enough to do anything with it in time. Spain is threatening this half.

Big time defensive play by Nicolás Otamendi

Otamendi made a sliding clearance as Spain was threatening to get Lamine Yamal a touch in the box. Spain has stayed on the attack since, however, and just won a corner.

Doug Zimmerman / ISI Photos via Getty Images

Pushing and shoving leads to a yellow

Argentina’s Leandro Paredes has been given a yellow card after both teams engaged in some pushing and shoving following a foul on Rodri. Players were hovering around Rodri near midfield and began shoving each other, but Paredes was the lone player carded.

Right out of the gate, Spain puts a shot on goal

That didn't take long. Within a minute of the start of the second half, Spain's Álex Baena was able to challenge Argentina with a shot. It was scooped up fairly easily by Argentina's keeper but was still more life than Spain had been able to generate near the goal for much of the first half.

Marvin Ibo Guengoer / GES Sportfoto via Getty Images

After a long halftime, the second half is underway

The halftime break lasted over 25 minutes, much longer than the typical 15 allotted for the break. Let’s see if either side is affected by the layoff.

Will this game of cat-and-mouse open up?

Martínez played a ball over the top to Julián Alvarez in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, but Spain's Unai Simón was quick off his line to clear away the danger.

In the first half, Argentina’s plan seemed to be to draw out Spain and pounce on the counter. Meanwhile, Spain's Dani Olmo was getting plenty of space to float around in the middle of the pitch.

Unless this game of cat-and-mouse opens up in the second half, one of those clichéd “fine details” could make the difference.

Quiet first half for Lionel Messi

Argentina didn't take a single shot in the first half and had zero touches inside the Spanish box. Lionel Messi only registered 15 touches, compared to 26 for Spain's Lamine Yamal.

Messi's best chance came in the fifth minute, when Julián Álvarez led him with a pass and no defender except the Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón. Messi sprinted for the ball, but Simón beat him to the spot and kicked the ball away.

PS22 Chorus closes out the show

The PS22 Chorus, a Staten Island public school choir, is joined by Coldplay's Chris Martin for a final song to close the historic 11-minute halftime show.

Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber joined them on the stage for a triumphant finish with pyrotechnics.

And that's a wrap, ending the performance with a message of love and unity.

Steph Chambers / FIFA via Getty Images

And here's the queen of the World Cup — Shakira!

Shakira, the unofficial queen of the World Cup, performs "Dai Dai," the 2026 World Cup's official anthem, with Burna Boy.

As she performed surrounded by dancers in yellow, young and old, the crowd danced along to infectious song.

Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP via Getty Images

Justin Bieber takes the pitch — Hallelujah!

The Apple TV show actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in their Ted Lasso soccer coach costumes, introduced Justin Bieber to the field.

And the Beliebers go wild as Bieber performs an acoustic version of "Everything Hallelujah."

It's Dynamite! BTS takes center stage

BTS sings their hit "Dynamite" while performing their iconic dance and decked out in red and white soccer-inspired uniforms.

'Seven Nation Army' feat. the Muppets

Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the New York Philharmonic, leads a live orchestra in a rendition of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" alongside... the Muppets?

Madonna opens the show with her 2000 hit "Music" accompanied onstage by Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images

Spain's opportunities have been for naught. Will they wear down Argentina?

As it has done throughout this tournament, Spain has been in possession for much of the half — it has completed nearly 150 passes more than Argentina — and whenever it has given up the ball, it has quickly swarmed Argentina, which has yet to take a shot on goal. But possession is different than control, and Spain has yet to produce truly quality looks at a game-breaking goal. Lamine Yamal has been limited since his early shot.

It’s halftime — let the show begin!

It’s time for the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show, featuring co-headliners Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS.

Nigerian singer Burna Boy, New York Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island featuring Coldplay are also set to perform.

The stage before the halftime show begins. Chloe Melas / NBC News

Argentina may have more supporters, but Spain has more to be joyful over

The stands are dominated by fans in Argentina jerseys — specifically No. 10 kits — but the small contigent of Spanish fans are nothing to scoff at.

Ezra Shaw / FIFA via Getty Images

As the Red Fury have dominated possession, the team's supporters have sung their hearts out in the upper decks of the stadium while waving flags.

In contrast, the Argentine crowd has been remarkably mute. There have been a few moments of joy from the blue-and-white sections, but the South American fans have had little to cheer for outside of one drive from Lionel Messi that was quickly stifled after he was swarmed.

A scoreless first half that saw neither side generate particularly great chances. Spain has been slightly better offensively, leading in expected goals 0.23 to 0.00.

Oh, Cucurella's shot goes barely wide

Spain's Marc Cucurella seemed to surprise Argentina by turning and taking a shot from well outside the box that caught Emiliano Martínez out of position. The shot rolled a couple feet wide of the far post, however, maintaining this scoreless match.

Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez coming off due to injury

Argentina is taking out Martínez after what appeared to be some kind of injury. He is being replaced by 38-year-old Nicolás Otamendi.

Chris Martin has personalized gifts for fans

Fans in the stadium received a flag with a note from Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

"Thank you for being a vital part of the first-ever FIFA World Cup 2026 The Final Halftime Show. With love, Chris Martin Coldplay."

Diving stop denies Oyarzabal's hard shot

Neither team has been able to produce great looks at the goal in the first 38 minutes, which led Mikel Oyarzabal's hard shot in the 38th minute to draw an audible rise out of the crowd in New Jersey.

The ball found Oyarzabal outside the goal box after the teams had knocked it back and forth while trying to establish possession. Oyarzabal kicked it low and hard, but Emiliano Martínez came up with his second save of the day.

Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez draws the game’s first yellow

Martínez was carded for a sliding tackle he made to prevent a Spain counterattack.

Dani Olmo finding plenty of space between the lines

Spain's Dani Olmo is finding plenty of space between Argentina's midfield and back line.

While he's not getting enough of the ball to create an attack, Olmo has been drifting around in the middle of the park, with Argentina's midfield duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández failing to pick him up time and time again.

We've already seen a few late runs from Olmo, and an accurate cutback could very well see him bury a pass into the back of the net.

Ten minutes to go until stoppage time

Still 0.00 expected goals for Argentina. Only 0.10 for Spain.

Argentina getting physical with Lamine Yamal

It’s clear what the defensive game plan is against Lamine Yamal today: Rough him up a little bit.

After he was hip checked earlier in the match, Yamal was just the subject of a grabby foul by Nicolás Tagliafico. The referee hasn’t given out any cards for the physical play, and Argentina seems happy to take advantage when it comes to slowing down Yamal.

Argentina trying to draw out Spain but having trouble

These opening 30 minutes have been a cagey affair, in part due to Argentina trying to slow things down on its own back line to draw out Spain.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is seeing lots of the ball in what seems to be an attempt to get Spain's attackers to charge him down and create some gaps. But we've seen some bad passes and near-giveaways from Argentina's defense as it tries to transition forward, which could come back to bite it.

We’re at the first-half hydration break

We’re at the midpoint of the first half, and neither side has been especially aggressive so far. Spain leads in expected goals 0.10 to 0.00 as the teams appear to still be feeling each other out.

Maybe the break will inspire some more offense moving forward.

Lamine Yamal tries to get creative, but it's harmless for Argentina

One of the rare times in the first 17 minutes that Spain's Lamine Yamal has had the ball and the space to get creative with it, the cross he sent into the box was fairly weak and stopped easily.

Mauro Pimentel / AFP via Getty Images

Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister avoids a yellow

Alexis Mac Allister took down Spain’s Dani Olmo with a slide tackle, but the foul wasn’t deemed harsh enough for a card. Perhaps the referee will let both sides be a little physical today.

A relatively tame opening 10 minutes

We’re 10 minutes into the match, and outside of Lamine Yamal’s shot on goal, there has not been much offensive action so far.

Lionel Messi had only one touch in the first 10 minutes.

President Donald Trump's suite was just shown on the broadcast. Someone presented him the World Cup trophy and he touched it. Secretary of State Marco Rubio watched from behind him.

Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images

Yamal took advantage of a misplayed ball and had a chance inside the box, but his left-footed shot was saved by Emiliano Martínez.

The World Cup final is underway!

Will it be back-to-back World Cup titles for Argentina? Or will Spain win for the first time since 2010?

Will World Cup final determine Ballon d’Or winner, or has the race been blown wide open?

For most of this World Cup, it looked like Kylian Mbappé was going to earn his coronation as not just perhaps the most critical player in French national team history, but also as a first-time Ballon d’Or winner. That could still happen — we’ll detail why below — but the list of possible winners is long.

Spain has to be more eager to win than fearful of losing, Rodri says

Spain's captain, Rodri, is ready to cap his squad's 37-game unbeaten streak with a World Cup title.

The team has matured over the years as it has fought to succeed at the highest levels, the Ballon d'Or winner told reporters on Friday. He said his teammates are satisfied with how things have gone — clinching the 2023 UEFA Nations League and 2024 Euro titles — but "we are far more ambitious than this."

"Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this," Rodri said. "We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents. Now we'll have the toughest opponents."

During Spain's semifinal against France, Rodri told his teammates that they have to be more eager to win than scared to lose. He said that this is the mentality they will go into the final against Argentina with.

Here are the starting 11s for each side

Where is the 2030 World Cup being held?

FIFA has announced that the next men's World Cup tournament will have a slightly different hosting structure than we've previously seen.

Morocco, Portugal and Spain are the official hosts of the 2030 World Cup, but there's a small twist. Three of the games are set to be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate the tournament's 100-year anniversary.

It is set to take place over 44 days, the longest FIFA World Cup tournament ever held, in part due to the travel needed between continents.

Slovenian referee calls working World Cup final an 'incredible honor'

The head referee of the World Cup final will be Slavko Vinčić, a highly regarded Slovenian official who said his initial reaction to the selection was "a shock, then happiness."

“I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honor to get the World Cup final,” Vinčić said in an interview shared by FIFA. “It’s only a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start. So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team."

“It’s very difficult to put everything into words, but I’m very proud to represent my country, Slovenia, in the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Vinčić has worked as an official for FIFA since 2010 and has experience in highly consequential matches, having worked 72 Champions League and Europa League matches. He worked the 2024 Champions League final between Dortmund and Real Madrid. This is his third World Cup.

Fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic will work the match as Vinčić's assistant referees. Adham Makhadmeh, from Jordan, will be the fourth official.

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's chief refereeing officer and the chairman of FIFA's referees committee, said that a referee's "performances are (what) matter the most" in being selected to work such an important match. But "also the fact that his team is not playing (in) this competition." Slovenia failed to qualify for this tournament, but will still be represented in the final.

Will this final require extra time?

In the history of the World Cup final, the championship was decided in either extra time or penalties eight times. That includes the last tournament in 2022, which ended after Argentina prevailed on penalty kicks.

Everyone is obsessed with Lamine Yamal's adorable baby brother

Maybe the real winner of the 2026 World Cup is Lamine Yamal’s 3-year-old brother, Keyne.

Longtime fans of the Barcelona FC star know that wherever Yamal goes, a small shadow is sure to follow. But Keyne has now been noticed on the global stage as his on-camera antics have gone viral throughout Spain's World Cup campaign.

Lamine Yamal and his brother Keyne Yamal on Jan. 25 in Barcelona. David Ramos / Getty Images

Even Yamal couldn't help but laugh at his younger sibling after his semifinal win over France after noticing Keyne making funny faces on the jumbotron.

"I am proud of my little brother and I know when he grows up he will be happy of what I do," Yamal said. "And I like that people love him like I love him. And when he's on camera, I like to see him. He's very entertaining."

Trump: 'It's hard to bet against Messi'

In an interview ahead of the game on Fox, the president spoke about who he thought would win today, saying, "I hate to get involved, even though politically it doesn’t matter so much. The head of Argentina is a friend of mine. He’s done a terrific job, but I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi."

Justin Setterfield / Getty Images

He also spoke about the U.S. hosting multiple World Cup games this year, saying it's "been a beautiful thing" to watch Americans get excited about soccer.

"It turns out we are a soccer country. We’re a football country, but we don’t want to get it confused," Trump said. "But I don’t think there’s ever been anything like what’s happened with the whole World Cup. It’s been beautiful. It’s a beautiful thing to watch."

Marine One flies over the stadium

Marine One flew over the stadium as the crowd gathered ahead of the match.

There did not appear to be a loud reaction from the crowd, and it's unclear whether the crowd knew it was the president aboard the helicopter.

French team says ‘Au revoir’ to Boston

The time has come for the French men’s soccer team to leave its temporary home base after a good run in the World Cup.

Trump invited leaders of other co-hosts

A White House official confirmed that President Donald Trump invited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the World Cup final.

Argentina fans ready to sing today

At about 10:45 a.m., Argentina fans were already singing in an empty Penn Station as they waited to board a N.J. Transit train to today's World Cup final. They continued singing on the train and surely will throughout the day. Not to be outdone, two Spanish fans rode the train dressed in full matador costumes. Should be a festive atmosphere at the World Cup final.

NBC’s Monica Alba sat down with co-chairs of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., to discuss the historic tournament in the latest installment of NBC’s Common Ground series.

NBC News’ chief data analyst Steve Kornacki joins “TODAY” to break down the matchup between Argentina and Spain. He weighs in on Spain as the favorite, riding a 37-game unbeaten streak into the match. Then, Martha Stewart’s grandson and World Cup superfan Truman stops by to discuss his spot-on predictions.

Security ramped up for World Cup final

Law enforcement wearing vests that identified them as either Homeland Security, the Secret Service or the New Jersey State Police sprawled throughout MetLife Stadium, where it took this NBC News reporter nearly three hours to get through security.

I arrived just after 10 a.m. at the designated gate for media members, where the line snaked through the adjacent parking lot. Some of us were directed to a new gate after about 45 minutes of waiting, only for our credentials not to scan. There was a terse moment between some foreign media and the staff before we were told told to return to the designated media gate.

I was sent to the back of the original line, where we stood in the sun for another hour and a half. This is my eighth World Cup game at MetLife and the first time I’ve had such issues getting through.

Photographer gives origin story behind viral image of Messi and baby Lamine Yamal

The serendipity of the photo is hard to comprehend. Two decades ago, a rising star and a newborn were paired together for a photo shoot. Now, they are battling for the World Cup.

Which is stronger — Argentina's offense or Spain's defense?

Argentina enters today's final having scored two or more goals in a tournament-record 13-consecutive matches. But Lionel Messi and Co. will face their hardest defensive test yet in Spain, which has allowed just one goal in seven matches at this World Cup.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized $30 million worth of fake World Cup jerseys this year. Officials say counterfeit sports merchandise funds transnational crime and may contain dangerous materials. NBC News’ George Solis reports.

World Cup awards: Best players, biggest surprises

Joe Prince-Wright, Nick Mendola and Andy Edwards share their picks for the best player, biggest moment and biggest surprises as the tournament nears its end.

Lionel Messi holds record for most World Cup appearances

Lionel Messi is set to make his 34th World Cup appearance today, a record for the both men's and women's players who have competed at soccer's highest level.

Daniela Porcelli / Getty Images

Retired U.S. champion Kristine Lilly is just behind him with 30 appearances across World Cup tournaments.

Argentina’s most iconic player has broken another record in this summer's competition as well. Messi's third time playing in a World Cup final now makes him tied with Brazilian right-back Cafu for most appearances in the tournament's last match.

Messi initially broke the World Cup scoring record, surpassing the 17 goal registered by Brazil’s Marta, but now trails Kylian Mbappé. He enters the final with 21 goals compared with Mbappé’s 22 goals.

Telemundo’s legendary announcer Andrés Cantor and Tim Howard, an NBC Sports analyst and the former goalkeeper for the U.S. men's team, join "TODAY" to weigh in on the highly anticipated showdown between Spain and Argentina. Cantor opens up about what was going through his mind when Argentina pulled out a win against England.

How a North Texas family's lemonade stand became a World Cup tradition

What began as a simple lemonade stand outside Dallas Stadium in Arlington turned into one of the unexpected feel-good stories of the World Cup in North Texas.

For weeks, fans from around the world stopped by the backyard stand run by Heather Hannish, her husband, Ernesto Gloria, and their family on their way to matches. Now that the tournament has ended, they’re looking back on the friendships and memories they made along the way.

If history is any indication, expect some goals

In the 22 previous World Cup men’s finals (which would include the 1950 match between Uruguay and Brazil that technically wasn’t a final, but decided who won the World Cup), the winning team has averaged 2.6 goals in the title matchup. The losing team has averaged 1.1 goals.

The two most recent World Cup finals have been offensive slugfests, with a combined 12 goals. France beat Croatia 4-2 in 2018, while Argentina and France tied 3-3 in 2022 (before Argentina prevailed in a penalty shootout).

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy after the match against France. Julian Finney / Getty Images

Teams scoring at least two goals have won the World Cup title 17 times; there have been eight instances of a team scoring at least two goals in the final and still falling short.

There have been three 1-0 wins: West Germany over Argentina in 1990, Spain over Netherlands in 2010 and Germany over Argentina in 2014. And there was one 0-0 tie in a final; Brazil wound up winning over Italy in a penalty shootout the 1994 final, which had been the only one played on U.S. soil before now.

New York is the heart of the world and is a fitting host for the final

Fans of Spain and Argentina, hordes of celebrities and neutrals who just love the game have flocked to New York City for the final at MetLife Stadium as the world watches on.

Everywhere you turn in Manhattan, billboards have Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Christian Pulisic and other stars plastered all over them. World Cup fever is omnipresent in the city that never sleeps.

Argentina is on a hot streak against European opponents

Something to consider as Spain awaits in the World Cup final: Argentina's semifinal win against England gave it eight wins in its last 10 World Cup matches when facing a European opponent.

The U.S. men’s national team captivated fans with a thrilling run before falling to Belgium in the round of 16. Tim Ream, one of the team’s captains, joins "TODAY" to look back at their tournament and talk about what’s ahead for the team.

The biggest World Cup was defined by its buzziest moments

No other World Cup in history featured as many teams or was played across as many nations as the 2026 edition.

The supersized nature of the tournament, which was already the world’s most-watched sporting event, provided more opportunities for games, goals — and grievances.

Scaloni looking to join elite club

If Argentina wins, Lionel Scaloni — who led the team’s push to the 2022 title — would be just the second person to coach two World Cup championship clubs.

Italy went back-to-back as World Cup champions in 1934 and 1938, with both those clubs coached by Vittorio Pozzo.

Nobody else has two titles as a coach. There are three men — Brazil’s Mário Zagallo, West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and France’s Didier Deschamps — to have won World Cups as both a player and a coach.

The ticketing scheme that has haunted the World Cup

Imagine scoring tickets to the biggest sporting event in the world, only to learn just before a game that you bought tickets from a seller who didn’t actually have them.

So-called “ghost ticketing” schemes have done that to several would-be spectators for this year’s World Cup, which is set to culminate with the Argentina-Spain final today in New Jersey.

World Cup final predicted lineups: How will Argentina, Spain line up?

By this point of the tournament, we know exactly what each of these sides wants to do, but as always, there will still be one or two decisions for the managers that are specific to today’s opponent.

Four charts that show what a World Cup it has been

This tournament has shattered records — from the number of games to the number of goals to the number of fans in the stands. And the action isn’t over yet.

World Cup final is certain to be a 'spectacle'

Joe Prince-Wright, Andy Edwards and Nick Mendola preview a World Cup final that will be a clash of titans between reigning European champions Spain and the defending World Cup champion Argentina.

Andrew Greif is a sports reporter for NBC News Digital.