A tactical showdown in the final
Spain secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup crown after a tightly contested final that saw Argentina finish as runners‑up for the fourth time in their history. The match unfolded in Spain’s capital, where the hosts controlled 34.9 % of possession and drew 25 fouls, compared with Argentina’s 21.
Argentina’s attack struggled to find a rhythm, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. The lack of clear chances set the stage for a heated post‑match encounter, during which Leandro Paredes clashed with Spain’s Eric García and Gavi in the celebrations.
Veteran German midfielder Toni Kroos, watching from the sidelines, offered his assessment, lauding Spain’s triumph while criticizing Argentina’s defensive approach. He described the game as a fair contest with no controversial decisions, emphasizing that the outcome reflected the teams’ tactical choices.
Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni, who had guided the side to the final, was seen discussing the result with his staff, while Lionel Messi, who had been a key figure throughout the tournament, watched the celebrations from the bench.