Spain edged Argentina 1‑0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres delivering the decisive strike in the 106th minute. The match, played in Qatar, was decided by a solitary goal that sparked jubilation across the Spanish fan base.
In the United States, the broadcast on Fox reached an average of 38.9 million viewers, establishing a new benchmark for soccer coverage on American television. When combined with the 23.9 million watching on Telemundo and Peacock, the total audience climbed to 62.8 million, underscoring the game's global resonance.
The halftime spectacle featured an eclectic lineup, including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy, the PS22 Chorus alongside Coldplay, the New York Philharmonic, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and a special appearance by the Muppets. The eclectic mix highlighted the tournament's effort to blend sport with cultural celebration.
A Cultural Showcase
Domestically, Spain recorded an average of 15.7 million viewers and an 87.1% audience share, translating to a cumulative reach of 20.1 million people. Across the entire tournament, Fox, FS1 and Tubi attracted 7.74 million viewers per match on average, a surge of 116% compared with the 2022 edition.
The commercial success has not gone unnoticed; rivals such as Netflix, ESPN, YouTube and Apple have already begun courting rights for upcoming editions, signaling a shift in how major sporting events may be distributed in the future.