Spain 1-0 Argentina: Messi Falls Short in His Third World Cup Final
Spain are world champions. Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute of extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, denying Lionel Messi — who at 39 carried the defending champions through eight matches to the brink of a repeat title — a second World Cup. Messi ends his sixth World Cup with 21 goals and 12 assists in the tournament, having played all 120 minutes of a final in which Argentina finished with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the 93rd minute.
The records that still stand
Messi's night in the final was quiet — one touch in the first 15 minutes and 54 for the match, as Spain dominated possession and out-shot Argentina 20-2. But the tournament as a whole cements his World Cup legacy: he holds the all-time records for World Cup assists (12) and appearances (34), remains the only player with two Golden Balls (2014 and 2022), and became the first player to start three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, 2026).
What this does to the Messi vs Ronaldo debate
The loss stings, but the World Cup ledger between the two greatest players of the era is largely unchanged in its shape: Messi has a title (2022), three finals, and the all-time records for World Cup assists and appearances; Ronaldo's best finish remains fourth place in 2006, with his 2026 tournament ending in the Round of 16 against the same Spain side that beat Argentina in the final. On the international stage, Ronaldo's Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles remain his counterweight to Messi's World Cup and two Copa América titles.
Career totals after the final: Messi has 927 goals and 460 assists in 1171 matches; Ronaldo has 976 goals and 307 assists in 1329 matches.
The numbers, side by side
Messi's 2026 run: 3-0 Algeria (hat-trick), 2-0 Austria (2 goals), 3-1 Jordan (1 goal), 3-2 Cape Verde (1 goal, AET), 3-2 Egypt (1 goal, from two down), 3-1 Switzerland (1 assist, AET), 2-1 England (2 assists), and the final against Spain (0 goals, 0 assists, 120 minutes).
For the full tournament-by-tournament breakdown, see our Messi vs Ronaldo World Cup stats page, and the updated all-time stats.