FIFA World Cup: Live coverage of the final between Spain and Argentina
They left it late, but Spain outmuscled Argentina to be crowned World Cup champions.
Soccer: It’s all on the line as Spain and Argentina do battle in the World Cup final.
World soccer’s two top-ranked sides meet in a mouth-watering decider in New Jersey, with the winner set to hoist the trophy to cap what has been a memorable tournament.
Lionel Messi will be looking to lead Argentina to a second straight triumph after their win in 2022 - a feat last achieved by Brazil across 1958 and 1962. The match may also serve as a World Cup swansong for the 39-year-old legend.
On the other side of the coin, 2010 champions Spain will be desperate to replicate their midfield domination that led them past tournament favourites France in a 2-0 semifinal result.
Follow all the action below, with kick-off set for 3am (WA time).
Key events
20 Jul 2026 - 06:02 AM
SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS!
20 Jul 2026 - 05:59 AM
Big chances!
20 Jul 2026 - 05:52 AM
Messi magic?
20 Jul 2026 - 05:44 AM
GOAL! SPAIN LEAD!!
20 Jul 2026 - 05:39 AM
Midway through extra time
20 Jul 2026 - 05:28 AM
GOAL WAVED AWAY
20 Jul 2026 - 05:16 AM
EXTRA TIME
20 Jul 2026 - 05:12 AM
RED CARD
20 Jul 2026 - 05:07 AM
Into added time
20 Jul 2026 - 04:50 AM
How’s this for a stat?!
20 Jul 2026 - 04:47 AM
Big chance!
20 Jul 2026 - 04:35 AM
Spain pressing
20 Jul 2026 - 04:27 AM
Back underway
20 Jul 2026 - 04:06 AM
Half-time show
20 Jul 2026 - 03:55 AM
HALF TIME: Spain 0-0 Argentina
20 Jul 2026 - 03:51 AM
Injury blow
20 Jul 2026 - 03:30 AM
Messi’s subdued start
20 Jul 2026 - 03:06 AM
Underway!
RED CARD
Enzo Fernandez is off!
He picks up a second yellow for a late challenge right in the middle of the pitch, and it left his Spanish opponent flying.
There’s plenty of objections, but VAR fails to overrule the call, and Argentina are down to 10 men!
It’s a huge moment considering we’ve got a whole chunk of extra time coming up here.
Argentina free kick
Messi goes down, is foulder, and gets a chance to create something in the dying moments here... but nothing doing.
Into added time
The 90 minutes is up - and we’ve got a minimum of 4 minutes of stoppage time coming.
Spain continuing to press hard. Argentina well and truly pinned in their own half.
4 of the past 5 World Cup finals have required extra time to determine a champion, and it appears we’re going to add to that list today.
Final countdown
We’ve ticked past 80 minutes and it remains scoreless.
Spain have now had all 11 shots in this match, including 8 on target, but can’t find the breakthrough.
Are we destined for extra time?
How’s this for a stat?!
This is now the longest any team in any game this whole TOURNAMENT has travelled without registering a single shot.
And the team we’re talking about is Messi’s Argentina... amazing stuff!
They get a bit of control in Spain’s half now as they search for something, anything... 73 minutes played and it remains scoreless.
Big chance!
A Yamal cross leads to a Torres header... but it’s straight into the arms of Argentina’s keeper Martinez.
That leads to the hydration break. It feels almost inevitable that Spain are scoring at some point...
Argentina clinging on
Spain are pressing home the advantage - but still can’t find the back of the net.
They get multiple corners as Argentina’s defence hangs tough. They can barely get it out of their own half...
Spain pressing
Spain getting on top now.
They earn a corner after very nearly earning the game’s opening goal, with a superb defensive effort from Gonzalo Montiel late denying Marc Cucurella.
Montiel is promptly substituted - despite that superb effort - as Nahuel Molina comes on.
0-0, 58 minutes gone.
Tempers flare
Leandro Paredes earns a yellow card as both sides get testy following a clash in midfield.
Back underway
We’re about to see things open up if the first minute or two after the restart is any guide.
Alex Baena gets a shot that makes things tricky for Emiliano Martinez, but he handles the save.
0-0 after 50 minutes in New Jersey.
