Spain Are World Champions: A Poetic Ending to a Controversial World Cup

Spain Are World Champions: A Poetic Ending to a Controversial World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is over, and it ended with what may have been one of the strangest and most underwhelming finals in the tournament’s history.

Spain are world champions after defeating Argentina in a match that, strangely, felt like a poetic conclusion to a tournament marked by controversy from start to finish.

For Spain, it was the perfect ending to an outstanding tournament. For Argentina, it was quite the opposite.

A Final to Forget for Argentina

Argentina produced one of the worst performances I have ever seen in a major final.

Zero shots. Zero shots on target. Absolutely nothing across more than 90 minutes.

They never looked like they belonged on that stage, and after all the controversy surrounding their route to the final, they were finally exposed. This is what happens when controversy carries you further than your football deserves.

For all the attention surrounding Argentina throughout the tournament, when the World Cup was ultimately decided on the pitch, there was an enormous gulf between the two sides. Spain looked composed, organised and completely in control. Where as Argentina offered virtually nothing going forward.

A Defensive Masterclass

Spain’s defence produced one of the most remarkable World Cup campaigns we have ever seen.

They conceded just one goal throughout the entire tournament.

Every member of that back line deserves enormous credit, but Pau Cubarsí was particularly impressive. Winning Young Player of the Tournament was a fitting reward for a player who looked remarkably composed on football’s biggest stage.

Pedro Porro also deserves recognition after an excellent tournament from beginning to end.

Ferran Torres Gets His Moment

For me, one of the best stories of the final was Ferran Torres. I am genuinely delighted for him.

Torres has spoken openly about some of the difficult periods he has experienced away from football. To come through those moments and then score the goal that wins your country a World Cup is an incredible redemption story.

Football can produce some amazing moments, and this was certainly one of them.

The Argentina Players Lost Their Heads

Unfortunately, Argentina’s behaviour once again became part of the story.

Enzo Fernández’s reckless challenge was completely unnecessary at a moment when his country desperately needed discipline. After the antics and aggression that had surrounded parts of his tournament, it felt like a fittingly disappointing way for his World Cup to end.

Then came the scenes after full time.

Leandro Paredes’ actions towards the Spanish players were completely unacceptable and, in my view, should result in a significant suspension. Argentina have plenty of fantastic footballers, but the aggression, provocation and poor sportsmanship we saw at different points throughout this tournament made it increasingly difficult for me to sympathise with them when things eventually went wrong.

There is a way to lose a World Cup final with dignity. Argentina failed to do that completely.

A Quiet Ending for Messi

And then there is Lionel Messi.

Messi had an excellent tournament overall, and Argentina’s defeat should certainly not be placed entirely on him. But there is no escaping the fact that he was anonymous in the final.

When Argentina desperately needed their greatest player ever to produce something, Spain simply never allowed him to influence the match. If this proves to be his final World Cup appearance, it is a disappointing ending to what was otherwise another impressive tournament from the greatest player the sport has ever seen.

Spain Deserved This

Ultimately, this final should be remembered as Spain’s moment.

They were, in my opinion, the best team from start to finish. They played the best football, defended magnificently and consistently looked like the most complete side at the tournament.

One goal conceded across an entire World Cup tells its own story.

After a tournament surrounded by controversy, there was something almost poetic about the way it ended. Spain did their talking on the pitch and won the tournament the right way.

Throughout the tournament, Argentina provided much of the controversy, but Spain provided the best quality of football.

And when the trophy was finally lifted, the best team at the 2026 World Cup was standing exactly where it belonged.

Spain are world champions once again.