Figure caption, Ferran Torres finally gives Spain a lead against Argentina Published 19 July 2026 Spain have won the World Cup after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

BBC Sport journalist Neil Johnston assesses how the players performed in New Jersey - and you can see how BBC Sport readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.

Spain Starting XI Unai Simon: Came charging outside his box in the opening minutes which almost led to disaster before recovering to help Spain add the World Cup to their European triumph of two-years ago.

7 Marc Cucurella: Drove forward on numerous occasions and went close with a rare first-half attempt which whistled just wide.

7 Aymeric Laporte: Has been a rock at the back throughout the tournament – and so he was once again as Spain recorded a seventh clean sheet in eight games.

7 Pau Cubarsi: Once again provided a calm presence in defence as he has done all tournament.

Only the second player on record (from 1966) to complete 100-plus passes in a World Cup final.

8 Pedro Porro: Followed up on his solid display in the semi-final to play a part in the move that produced the winning goal.

7 Fabian Ruiz: Worked hard in the engine room as Argentina struggled to impose their authority.

7 Rodri: Another controlled midfield performance from the captain as he helped his country to their first World Cup triumph since 2010.

7 Alex Baena: Put himself about and made a nuisance of himself.

7 Dani Olmo: Created chances and made a nuisance of himself on another glorious day for Spanish football after the Euros success of 2024 and the Nations League triumph of 2023.

7 Lamine Yamal: Ends the tournament with a World Cup winners medal at the age of 19.

Will there be more to come?

Had the first chance of the final after finding space inside the box.

7 Mikel Oyarzabal: Has been influential upfront for Spain but was kept quiet for large parts.

Ends a glorious tournament as Spain's leading scorer with five goals.

7 Substitutes Pedri (62 mins): Came on to bring energy into the side.

7 Ferran Torres (62 mins): Injected pace into Spain's play and was first to react when the ball fell to him in extra-time to seal the biggest prize of all for his country.

8 Nico Williams (75 mins): What an impact.

Williams has had to remain patient at this tournament and has been limited to a string of substitute appearances.

Spain looked dangerous each time he had the ball at his feet and played a huge role in the goal.

9 Mikel Merino (75 mins): Has proved to be an impact substitute at this tournament and again played his part on a glorious day for Spain.

6 Eric Garcia (99 mins): Worked hard and put himself about after coming on in extra-time.

6 Martin Zubimendi (99 mins): Did what he needed to as Spain wrote another glorious chapter in their football history.

6 Listen: Football Daily - Spain win the World Cup Argentina Starting XI Emiliano Martinez: Produced a fine save to keep out Lamine Yamal's free-kick right at the end of normal time.

6 Nicolas Tagliafico: Helped frustrate Spain for large spells before Argentina's 10-men were undone.

6 Lisandro Martinez: Booked for a foul from behind on Mikel Oyarzabal.

Then replaced by Nicolas Otamendi before half-time after picking up an injury.

5 Cristian Romero: Helped ensure Mikel Oyarzabal – Spain's top scorer at this World Cup – was quiet.

Booked for dissent.

6 Gonzalo Montiel: Showed great reactions to save a goal after Dani Olmo's low cross.

6 Nico Gonzalez: Replaced at half-time after Argentina failed to register an attempt in the first half.

5 Alexis Mac Allister: Fortunate to escape a caution after a late challenge on Dani Olmo.

5 Enzo Fernandez: Shocking challenge on Pau Cubarsi which resulted in a second yellow card and dismissal – Argentina's first red card at a World Cup since 2006.

4 Rodrigo De Paul: Struggled to influence the game and was replaced midway through the second half.

5 Julian Alvarez: Did not impose his authority on a day that belonged to Spain.

5 Lionel Messi: If this was his final appearance on the World Cup stage, what a sad end for the legend.

Struggled to seriously test the Spain defence and finished the tournament on eight goals – two behind France's Kylian Mbapppe.

6 Substitutes Nicolas Otamendi (41 mins): Came on towards the end of the first half for Lisandro Martinez and tried to make things happen before Argentina were undone by Enzo Fernandez's red card.

5 Leandro Paredes (46 mins): He had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was booked for shoving Rodri – and then was involved in ugly scenes at full time.

3 Nahuel Molina (50 mins): Disappointing end to his World Cup as Argentina came unstuck in the final.

5 Facundo Medina (70 mins): Unable to help his country as the best team won.

4 Giovanni Simeone (70 mins): Unable to make an impact as the Copa America winners struggled and Simeone could not get into get into the game.

4 Marcos Senesi (102 mins): Could not impact the game as Argentina conceded for the sixth straight game and lost the final.

4 Player of the match Number: 19 Lamine YamalAverage rating 7.94 Spain (active) Argentina Number: 19 Lamine Yamal Average Rating: 7.94 Number: 16 Rodri Average Rating: 7.77 Number: 17 Nico Williams Average Rating: 7.72 Number: 7 Ferran Torres Average Rating: 7.68 Number: 24 Marc Cucurella Average Rating: 7.56 Number: 10 Dani Olmo Average Rating: 7.52 Number: 12 Pedro Porro Average Rating: 7.44 Number: 6 Mikel Merino Average Rating: 7.31 Number: 20 Pedri Average Rating: 7.26 Number: 22 Pau Cubarsí Average Rating: 7.18 Number: 18 Martín Zubimendi Average Rating: 7.16 Number: 21 Mikel Oyarzabal Average Rating: 7.13 Number: 4 Eric García Average Rating: 7.07 Number: 14 Aymeric Laporte Average Rating: 7.06 Number: 8 Fabián Ruiz Average Rating: 7.04 Number: 23 Unai Simón Average Rating: 7.04 Number: 15 Álex Baena Average Rating: 6.98 Back to team tabs Number: 23 E.

Martínez Average Rating: 4.81 Number: 3 N.

Tagliafico Average Rating: 3.48 Number: 9 J.

Alvarez Average Rating: 3.41 Number: 13 C.

Romero Average Rating: 3.40 Number: 10 L.

Messi Average Rating: 3.40 Number: 20 A.

Mac Allister Average Rating: 3.32 Number: 4 G.

Montiel Average Rating: 3.31 Number: 15 N.

González Average Rating: 3.27 Number: 7 R.

De Paul Average Rating: 3.26 Number: 6 Lisandro Martínez Average Rating: 3.24 Number: 26 N.

Molina Average Rating: 3.13 Number: 19 N.

Otamendi Average Rating: 3.09 Number: 25 F.

Medina Average Rating: 2.91 Number: 24 E.

Fernández Average Rating: 2.78 Number: 17 G.

Simeone Average Rating: 2.77 Number: 2 M.

Senesi Average Rating: 2.75 Number: 5 L.

Paredes Average Rating: 2.61 Back to team tabs After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.