International press in agreement: Spain are well-deserved champions

DPAMon, July 20, 2026 at 1:48 AM UTC·3 min read

Following the World Cup final, the international press is largely in agreement: Spain are the well-deserved world champions following a 1-0 win over Argentina after extra-time.

MundoDeportivo: "Yes, it was the most important game of their lives. A game that will forever change the history of a country and a generation. Spain no longer has to view the year 2010 as just a fleeting memory. The national team, led by Luis de la Fuente, wrote its own chapter in history at MetLife Stadium and claimed its second World Cup title against the Argentina team led by Leo Messi."

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Marca: "Kings of the world once again. Ferran Torres, who scored a monumental goal, joins the Hall of Fame."

As: "Just like the first time. A goal by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute sealed Spain's second World Cup title in its history. La Roja had 20 shots on goal, while Argentina had only two."

El Mundo: "Spain end Messi's World Cup era."

La Nación: "The end of a dream"

La Capital: "Argentina gave everything, down to the last drop of blood, the last spark of courage, and the last shred of football they had left - and lost by the narrowest of margins in extra-time, with only 10 players, to a Spanish team that, while clearly superior, lacked the courage to decide the game earlier. Lionel Scaloni's players have nothing to be ashamed of, they played a phenomenal World Cup, with epic victories and the love of the entire Argentinian people, and they finished the tournament with their heads held high."

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Olé: "Argentina gave it their all and went down with their heads held high: Spain are the deserved 2026 world champions."

Clarín: "Thank you, Leo! Messi bids farewell to the World Cup with his third final and an unforgettable tournament. The Argentina captain sits on the field, with resignation, but surely proud to have reached another final in his last World Cup."

Diario Popular: "Argentina gave their soul, but Spain were better and are world champions."

Daily Mail: "A broken heart for Lionel Messi after his team loses the title."

Telegraph: "Spain win World Cup in triumph of football over Argentine felony. It took extra time to get there but, thank goodness, we got there. The sport prevailed. Spain won the World Cup and we are all better for that. Football is better for that. It really, desperately needed Spain to win this final. Anything else would have felt like a crime."

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L'Equipe: "The new kings. Spain dominated an Argentina team that didn't take their first shot on goal until the 117th minute. Two years after winning the European Championship, La Roja reaffirmed their status as the best team in the world."

The Athletic: Substitute Ferran Torres was the hero. His goal broke Argentina's heart and prevented Lionel Messi and his team from winning two World Cups in a row. The 39-year-old Messi had his most inconspicuous game of the tournament, with just a single touch of the ball in the first 15 minutes. The choppy flow of the game was further accentuated by the 27-minute half-time show."

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Gazzetta dello Sport: Spain. It had to be Spain. It was bound to be Spain. Only Spain could have won this final, because if Argentina had won, it would have been an insult to football. A beautiful triumph, marred only by an opponent who had decided not to play. Magnificent Spain, ugly Argentina."

GloboEsporte.com: "Spain became the first team to win two World Cups in the 21st century. After eliminating favourites France, La Roja deservedly beat the defending champions."