FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory

FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory

New York, (IANS) Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in extra time as La Roja edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 title at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

After a tense and fiercely contested 90 minutes ended goalless, Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute. The forward latched onto Nico Williams’ headed knockdown before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beyond Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal Spain’s second FIFA World Cup triumph, their first since winning the title in South Africa in 2010.

Spain dominated possession for long spells and carved out the better chances throughout the final but found Martinez in inspired form as the Argentine goalkeeper repeatedly denied the European side. Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with captain Lionel Messi largely contained by Spain’s disciplined defence.

The defending champions suffered a major setback deep into stoppage time of normal time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card, reducing Argentina to 10 men for extra time.

Spain continued to pile on the pressure and thought they had doubled their lead in extra time, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. However, Luis de la Fuente’s men remained composed and comfortably saw out the closing stages to bring Argentina’s reign as world champions to an end.

The triumph capped a remarkable tournament for Spain, who went unbeaten throughout the competition and added a second World Cup crown to their historic 2010 success. Argentina, champions in Qatar four years ago, fell agonisingly short in their bid to retain football’s biggest prize. FIFA: Torres’ extra-time heroics fire Spain to World Cup glory | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 20, 2026

Spain blank France 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup final

Credit: @SEFutbol/X

Arlington, July 15 (IANS) Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro earned Spain a deserved 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium in their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final here at the Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.

This was France's fourth defeat in the semi-finals of the World Cup (1958, 1982, 1986, 2026) in eight appearances. Moreover, this was the third consecutive elimination against Spain in the semi-finals of a competition after Euro 2024 (2-1) and the Nations League 2025 (5-4).

France lost their first knockout match in the World Cup since the 2014 quarter-final against Germany (0-1). That makes 11 matches (10 wins, 1 draw).

Spain will now face the England-Argentina victors at New Jersey Stadium in the final. They emerged triumphant in their only previous appearance in the fixture, Andres Iniesta sinking the Netherlands at Soccer City in 2010.

France started as the slight favourites and, though Kylian Mbappe threatened on the break, Lamine Yamal gave Luis de la Fuente’s side the game’s first big chance. The winger, a day after his 19th birthday, got to the ball before Lucas Digne and was clipped inside the box. Oyarzabal struck the resulting penalty past spot-kick-saving specialist Mike Maignan.

The advantage was amplified when Porro played a palatial one-two with Dani Olmo, taking the return impeccably and burying the ball in the bottom corner.

France, with Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki on, pushed to get back into a game, but goalkeeper Unai Simon acted astutely as a sweeper-keeper and Marc Cucurella made an excellent challenge on Mbappe.

The final whistle sparked ecstasy for the Spaniards and agony for the French. Didier Deschamps’ team will have a shot at bronze on Saturday, when Mbappe could boost his hopes for another Golden Boot.Spain kept their sixth clean sheet in seven matches at this tournament. They have conceded just two goals in North America. The record for a triumphant team in a World Cup is two shared by France in 1998, Italy in 2006 and Spain themselves in 2010. Spain blank France 2-0 to reach FIFA World Cup final | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 15, 2026

FIFA WC: Epic comeback sees Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, reach quarters

Photo credit: FIFA.com

Atlanta, (IANS) Lionel Messi assisted and scored a goal while Enzo Fernández struck the winner in stoppage time as defending champions Argentina produced a comeback for the ages for a sensational 3-2 win over Egypt and sealed a place in the quarterfinals in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Argentina fought back from 0-2 down in the round of 16 match after Yasser Ibrahim (15th min) and Mostafa Zico (62nd min) had scored for Egypt and created the possibility of the defending champions ending their campaign early, joining the five-time winner Brazil and Germany on the scrap heap.

But Messi weaved his magic, first launching the attack and providing the assist to Cristian Romero's goal in the 79th minute and then getting onto the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute as Lautaro hooked a deep ball into the area, which dropped favourably for the Argentine captain, who laced it towards goal. Goalkeeper Shobeir gets a hand on it, but it hits the bar and goes in to make it 2-2.

Enzo Fernandez then sealed victory for Argentina by scoring an incredible goal in the third minute of stoppage time, making it 3-2 for Argentina. Lautaro swung a deep cross to the back post, and Enzo Fernandez met it and sent the ball back from where it came and into the far corner.

Earlier, Argentina conceded a goal in the first half of a World Cup match for the first time since their 2018 Round of 16 tie against France. They had not conceded in the first half in their last 11 matches before this match.

Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a shock lead, before Mostafa Shoubir protected it magnificently. The goalkeeper dived south-west to save a Messi penalty, which Nicolas Tagliafico had craftily earned, and made superb stops from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.

Egypt thought they had made it two just before the hour. Haissem Hassan made an imperial dash down the right and fed Salah, who enabled Zico to ripple the net. The goal was, however, ruled out for a foul in the build-up. It merely delayed the Al Ahly man doubling the lead, though, as he finished off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan.

It left Egypt on the cusp of victory, but Argentina were not done yet. They missed many chances but did not lose patience as they attacked repeatedly and created opportunities, and scripted a great comeback.Christian Romero pulled one back, Messi’s brilliant finish equalised, and Fernandez completed an epic survival story. FIFA WC: Epic comeback sees Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, reach quarters | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 09, 2026