By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
U.S., 20 July 2026 - The disciplined Spain national team on Sunday night lifted their second World Cup title after beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time (aet) in a thrilling final at MetLife Stadium in New York.
The sole goal was scored by substitute Ferran Torres.
In the awards, Pau Cubarsí of Spain won the tournament's youngest player award, goalkeeper Unai Simon bagged the Golden Glove award and Rodrigo Hernández won the Player of the Tournament award.
Spain dominated the entire match with 20 attempts against Argentina's two attempts with none on the goal. Argentina played their extra time with 10 players after Enzo Fernández was shown red card.
The battle was not just between players as it went to another fascinating duel on the touchline between the master and the student.
The student was Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni, who years back was studying under Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente.
Scaloni, who came to the tournament as the head coach defending the title they won in Qatar after beating France in the 2022 edition, was on Sunday overpowered.
In 2017, Scaloni was an aspiring coach studying for his UEFA Pro Licence at the Spanish Football Federation's coaching school in Las Rozas.
One of his instructors in tactical coaching was Luis de la Fuente, then already a respected youth coach within Spain's national team setup.
Ahead of the match, Luis de la Fuente remembered that Scaloni was one of the most inquisitive students in his soccer class.
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The Spain coach recalled that Scaloni constantly challenged ideas, debated tactical concepts and showed an exceptional curiosity about the game.
"He always wanted to know more," De la Fuente said in recalling those coaching sessions.
"He questioned everything and that was a sign he had something different."
Nearly a decade later, both men have become two of international football's most admired coaches.
Scaloni transformed Argentina from a team searching for identity after the 2018 World Cup into Copa América champions, Finalissima winners and World Cup holders.
De la Fuente has guided Spain to UEFA Euro 2024 glory, the UEFA Nations League title and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spain now have another star on their shirt. They first won the World Cup in 2010, when it was first hosted on African soil in South Africa. They defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time to lift their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2010. Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive, championship-winning goal in the 116th minute at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 2026 edition had a total of 48 teams, up from the usual 32 slots.