New Delhi: Spain’s victory at the 2026 World Cup means much more than just lifting the trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s side made history by becoming just the fourth team to win the World Cup without trailing for a minute during the tournament.Before Spain, only Italy (1938), Italy (1982) and Germany (1990) had achieved this feat. La Roja also set another remarkable record. They became the first World Cup winning team to concede just one goal in an entire match.Spain defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 in overtime at the New Jersey Stadium in New York to win the World Cup for the second time.
How Spain’s unbeaten run unfolded
Spain was held to a surprising 0-0 draw by Cape Verde, who were participating in their first World Cup appearance, despite creating 27 chances. They then beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal, becoming Spain’s second youngest goalscorer.Alex Baena’s goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Uruguay to advance to the top of the group.In the knockout round, the Spanish team defeated the Austrian team 3-0. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Polo scored another goal. Goalkeeper Unai Simon also broke Walter Zenga’s World Cup record of 519 minutes without conceding.Substitute Mikel Merino then scored Ferran Torres’ goal as Spain beat Portugal 1-0.In the quarter-finals, Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring and Merino scored again as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1.Spain produced one of their best performances in the semi-finals, beating France 2-0 thanks to Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Polo’s goal.Finally, Torres scored a goal in overtime against Argentina, helping Spain win the World Cup trophy for the second time and setting two extraordinary records.
Ferran Torres scores the winning goal
The decisive moment came in the 106th minute. Argentina were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.Lamine Yamal moved in from the right before finding Pedro Porro. The full-back’s cross was about to go out of bounds, but substitute Nico Williams headed the ball back into the centre. Another substitute, Ferran Torres, received the ball perfectly with his left foot, beating Emiliano Martinez.This was Spain’s 20th shot of the game, while Argentina still had no shot.After scoring, Torres celebrated by kicking the corner flag and was subsequently surrounded by teammates.“I think at the end of the day it was a goal that was scored by 47 million people,” Torres said when looking back on his winning goal. “I’m very happy. I was severely criticized during the World Cup, but I think it was fate and things were written. But I always had that opportunity, the choice to continue, and God gives it to those who believe in it, those who deserve it the most.”Torres almost scored again in extra time but was ruled offside and Spain went on to win the world title.
