Shadows had crept across MetLife Stadium as a tedious World Cup final dominated by Spain at an absurd clip lurched into extra time without a breakthrough Sunday. Lionel Messi and Argentina had no business clinging to hope of a second consecutive championship after failing to create a shot and or even link a few passes.

Spain defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup. Substitute Ferran Torres struck in the second half of extra time to secure Spain’s second World Cup after a disappointing Argentina were reduced to 10 men.

Lionel Messi has 33 combined goals and assists at the World Cup, five more than Kylian Mbappe entering the final.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked stamped the stars of the next generation, but it was also the farewell for some of the game's all-time greats.

The World Cup is officially over and it's time to provide some final grades to some of the teams and people who became household names in North America.

There is a sense that we are awaiting the inevitable after Argentina were downed by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The tears rolling down Lionel Messi's face after the full-time whistle in New Jersey suggested he may well be about to call time on his glittering international career,

The Spanish midfielder has won it all, cementing his legacy as a one of the game’s all-time greats.