Spain Are Your 2026 World Cup Champions
- Zak Drapeau
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 7/20/2026
The 23rd World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina was something of a boring game but ultra-competitive and intense none the less. Coming into the game, Spain was the favorite and had won every game up to the Final with beautiful defense and teamwork and last night was a culmination of everything.
The victors saved their finest game for last in what turned out to be the most dominant World Cup Final in history based on possession, passes and shots allowed defensively. Spain not only allowed 0 shots on goal with only 1 shot attempted all game but also had the most shots on goal in a World Cup Final ever with 12.
Besides a historic performance from Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Argentina had little to nothing to provide to this match in terms of performances. Even Lionel Messi did absolutely nothing and was nerfed any time he even touched the ball which were few and far between.
The only goal seen in the 120 minutes came from the foot of Spanish substitute Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Shortly after extra time's half time came a Spain breakthrough in the Spanish box. Striker Nico Williams was able to get the ball deep into the zone off a cross but gracefully headed the ball back to Torres who was racing to the 6-yard mark uncovered. Despite a beautiful game from Martinez, this goal was almost unstoppable from it's distance.
The goal also came merely 37 seconds after the teams broke from half time of extra time. With time dwindling down, even though Spain had outclassed Argentina at every point it seemed the former champs were securing momentum based on their goalkeepers heroics and what it could mean if the game went to penalties.
Spain's dominance of the game was centered around defense and passing the ball along their back line. The biggest contributors were players like Cucurella and Rodri who manned the Left Back and Defensive Mid roles respectively and dominated the pace and passing for the team. Rodri's 101/106 passes controlled the ball for Spain in their build from the back approach while Cucurella's surges from his post into the middle of the field and out wide were constant threats that Argentina either couldn't contain or had to break their defense up to manage.
While he didn't have any saves on the day, Goalkeeper Unai Simon made two key plays by rushing out of his box to meet Argentina attackers almost at the midfield line to stop through balls including intercepting a pass to Lionel Messi that could've easily turned into a goal had he not saved the day.
Spain's attackers had shot after shot but aside from the substitute Torres, not had much to show for. Mikel Merino was once again a substitute but didn't do much aside from an errant goal called back from him pushing Argentinian defender Otamendi in the box. Spain's top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal had only 1 shot on goal that was an easy save down the middle for Martinez.
Yes in terms of Spain's strengths and how they were able to have such a dominant game, their efforts were best in the back line.
This now makes two tournaments in a row Spain have topped after also winning the 2024 Euros. Similarly to the Euros, Rodri took home the Golden Ball, (Best Player of the Tournament) for the World Cup as well becoming the first player EVER to earn this distinction.
Spain are the 23rd World Cup Champions and the unrivaled best International team in the world. Argentina, England and France deserve consideration after wonderful World Cups as well but Spain was clearly the best and proved it every game they played. Their dynasty is in clear effect and with most of their best players including Rodri, Oyarzabal, Cucurella, Dani Olmo and their teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi all 30-yeras old and younger, they should stay atop of European soccer for a long time.
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-Z.D.
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