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Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup

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Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup

Spain won their second World Cup title after Ferran Torres' 106th-minute smashed finish earned a 1-0 win against defending champions Argentina in the 2026 final.Spain were deserved winners. Torres scored with Spain's 20th shot while the game ended without Argentina registering a single shot on target.Lionel Messi touched the ball just 54 times in a match that took three hours to complete and featured a 27-minute half-time break.Spain's win had shades of their maiden victory in 2010 too, scoring in the second period of extra time after a goalless 90 minutes. Then, it was Andres Iniesta against the Netherlands - now another Barcelona player, Torres, adds his name to the history books.A nod back from fellow substitute Nico Williams saw the former Manchester City forward storm on to the ball and fire past Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez. It came minutes after Williams had an initial strike ruled out for an alleged Mikel Merino foul on Nicolas Otamendi.Argentina did keep their shape well as Spain applied consistent pressure - especially after Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a reckless second yellow at the end of normal time - and relied on Martinez to make a string of saves.Their only threat emerged in added-on time at the end of extra time, with Giuliano Simeone blazing over a shot that could have sent the game to penalties.But there was no fairytale end to Messi's expected final World Cup appearance, with the Argentina skipper anonymous for much of the game. He was also beaten to his first World Cup Golden Boot by France's Kylian Mbappe, who won it by two goals.Spain remain undefeated under manager Luis de la Fuente in tournament matches and add a World Cup win to their Euros title from 2024. It has been quite the tournament from an opening draw to Cape Verde to making France and Argentina look like average teams and lifting the World Cup.There were unsavoury scenes at full-time as Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina looked to strike out at the celebrating Spain players after Argentina's defeat.Molina threw out an elbow and caught Rodri, while Paredes appeared to kick Eric Garcia to the floor and pushed him back with a strong hand around his neck when the Spaniard got back to his feet to confront him.A Spain substitute was then held back by another Argentina player before Paredes came in, ripped his bib and swung for him twice, catching him in the face.Paredes, who came on at half-time, was booked within minutes of coming on and escaped a number of other yellow card offenses. He was eventually sent off in the aftermath of the post-match hostilities.5: SHOT! Lamine Yamal has the first shot on target.39: SHOT! Oyarzabal strikes - but it goes straight at Emi Martinez.77: CHANCE! Pedro and Pau Cubarsi draw saves from the Argentina goalkeeper as Spain keep pushing for a goal.90+3: RED CARD! Fernandez sent off for second yellow card after reckless challenge on Cubarsi.90+9: SAVE! Lamine Yamal forces a great save from Emi Martinez after a whipped effort.96: NO GOAL! Williams has the ball in the net, but it is ruled out as Merino inadvertently catches Otamendi on the foot in the build-up.106: GOAL! Torres fires home from Williams' cushioned effort.114: OFFSIDE! Torres has the ball in the net again, but he is flagged offside.120+2: OVER! Simeone has the chance to equalise, but sends an effort over the face of goal as Spain win the World Cup."One goal conceded in eight games, never behind in the tournament, they played all the football here. Passed Argentina off the park. The European champions are World Cup winners too. Thoroughly deserved.""I spent a very short time in Spain and what I found was that they were a different technical and tactical level to Premier League teams, their understanding of the game."That comes out most in international football when you are playing every four days in 35-degree heat. Technically and tactically, they are outstanding."Spain forward Ferran Torres to FIFA: "I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people (approximately the population of Spain), not just those of us that are here."Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today, but we tried to be as close as possible to them."Finals are hard. When you have [Lionel] Messi on the opposing team, you do get worried, but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again."[It was] a huge relief [to score]. I've been criticised throughout the whole tournament but, as I said before, destiny was written."Thanks to God, he always gives me the strength to continue and in the end he grants things to those that most deserve them."Spain's Mikel Merino speaking to ITV: "Unbelievable. It's the perfect moment for us."We are such a golden generation with these young players that give everything they have for this country, for these fans. Luckily, we got the trophy today."It was a game about concentration. We knew we were a better team in terms of football."The pitch was dry, it was a difficult game because they are a very, very competitive side and they know how to make the game difficult for you. I think the team was outstanding today and we deserve it."When you are facing a low block and you have a team that is defending in your own box, you have to attack the box with bodies on the line and then control the transitions."We have very good players that can cross the ball, big threats in the box and the old-school way of scoring goals and we did it.""They have relied on the 39-year-old time and again in this tournament, and much like a few of his contemporaries, he did go missing in one of the biggest moments."However, that wasn't entirely his fault. Argentina had 34.9 per cent possession and were not able to work anything for their star man to use."In the final five minutes, Messi had a few glimpses but this time, he and Argentina ran out of time, with no shots registered on target."But by his absence and his team unable to provide for him, it shows even more just how much they rely on him for their goals."

Sky SportsMon, 20 Jul 2026
Source: Sky Sports
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England claim third at World Cup with win in 10-goal thriller over France

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England claim third at World Cup with win in 10-goal thriller over France

Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick helped England to a remarkable 6-4 bronze medal win over France in Miami to achieve their best World Cup finish since 1966.England were incredibly 4-0 up at half-time through Declan Rice's opener, Ezri Konsa's header and Saka's double, as Thomas Tuchel's side took advantage of an uninterested France - but they nearly blew their four-goal lead in the second half.The two-time World Cup winners woke up after half-time to threaten a sensational comeback through Kylian Mbappe's double - which saw him become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer (22 goals) - and substitute Bradley Barcola's strike.Michael Olise missed two glorious chances to equalise before Djed Spence won a late penalty from Malo Gusto's challenge, allowing Saka to score from the spot to complete his hat-trick in the 87th minute.Yet there was still more drama to come as substitute Ousmane Dembele scored a 96th-minute goal to give France hope of avoiding defeat in Didier Deschamps' last game in charge.But two minutes later, substitute Jude Bellingham struck with the 10th goal of the game to set the record for the most goals by an England player at a major tournament with seven and secure the Three Lions' third-place finish.England's goal-laden display and Saka's performance will only add further frustration and regret over Wednesday's semi-final loss to Argentina, where the Arsenal winger was an unused substitute and revealed after the win over France that he "would have loved to have played more".Tuchel's name was booed by England fans before kick-off, but smiles and cheers at full-time will give the German hope he can lead them to glory at their home Euros in 2028, where France are set to be led by Zinedine Zidane.Asked about the criticism in his post-match press conference, Tuchel said it "felt as if we went out in group stage without a win," before adding: "It is the first medal in 60 years, the best World Cup on foreign soil, so I hope the players can be proud of that in some time.""Who said these bronze medal matches were a waste of time? That was one of the most ridiculous, exciting, open and thrilling games I can ever remember for an England team."Of course, there was a huge sense of unreality about it, with 10 goals in a game that looked dead at half-time when England had a 4-0 lead."When France started coming back in the second half, there was panic in the England ranks and a sinking feeling, just three days after the lowest of the lows. But credit England's resilience once more and their sheer guts; they ground this one out when the muscle memory must have been saying terrible things to them."Mbappe and Olise were running riot by then. But even those two were eclipsed by Saka."The Arsenal man becomes only the fourth Englishman ever to score a World Cup hat-trick, and England scored six! That they conceded four, we can discuss another day. Thomas Tuchel didn't park the bus, and it led to a glorious basketball game."It is an extraordinary way for England to end their World Cup, one now with the highest finish since 1966."Of course, it will anger many - rightly - that Saka and Marcus Rashford were outstanding against France when they were ignored in the semi-final. Of course, the damnation of Tuchel's tactics when it really mattered still stands."But let's just enjoy this one, eh? It was a fantastic, rollercoaster ride, where England just about managed to stay in their seats as we looped-the-loop."England head coach Thomas Tuchel speaking to BBC Sport over Saka's omission in the semi-final loss to Argentina:"He did everything right. I had just a feeling in the semi-final for Morgan Rogers that he would be involved in something special. That was it. The game itself was so in demand that we were forced into changes because of cramps and the flow of the game."Bukayo showed he was a key player; that was never a doubt. I was not even aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers."On the bronze medal win: "It was like four matches - what happened here. Crazy first half and a turbulent second half. You could see the difference what one day makes."We were so, so tired and drained from the last few weeks. Massive compliment and respect for the mentality we showed with all the adversity. Absolutely brilliant."I was afraid of the physical demand of the match due to the threat of France. They have far less of a schedule for them; it was less demanding. They had one day more after the semi-final and had less travel distances than us."This sums it up for us. We played in the heat in extra time, at altitude. I was worried physically. You can see it in the second half, all the cramps and tiredness."But I was never worried about the tiredness. This team has created something special. They showed it again."Asked whether he could have played more at the tournament, Bukayo Saka told BBC Sport:"Of course, I would love to have played more. But of course, it's not the time to talk about that. I try to do my talking on the pitch. It's done now. Move on."On his fitness: "Yeah, I'm fit. I'm fit."On the noise around Tuchel: "It's part of the game. When you lose, there's always going to be noise. When you win, there's always going to be noise. It's how you react to it and use it as fuel. Today we had to finish strong."England assistant head coach Anthony Barry speaking to BBC Sport at half-time:"Have to be honest, there's no frustration [they could not perform like this against Argentina]. I'm a little bit emotional, I can't find the words about how proud I am of those players. We're playing a game with broken hearts, 11 lads with broken hearts."I've seen them in the hotel in the last few days with broken hearts. They can build a performance like that by playing through pride for England. The team spirit we've built in the last seven weeks."The cynics will say it's too late, but we still play against a world-class opponent and I'm so proud of the boys."3: ENGLAND GOAL! Rice latches onto a misplaced pass to produce a stunning finish.18: ENGLAND GOAL! Rice turns provider as his corner is headed in by Konsa37: ENGLAND GOAL! Saka rebounds home from Rashford's one-on-one chance.45+2: ENGLAND GOAL! Saka collects Eze's through-ball to fire low into the corner and give England a 4-0 half-time lead.48: FRANCE GOAL! Mbappe pulls one back with a side-footed finish just minutes into the second half.54: FRANCE GOAL! Mbappe sets up Barcola, who hammers past Henderson at his near post.66: FRANCE GOAL! Mbappe becomes the all-time leading World Cup scorer with a brilliant finish after a fine one-two with Olise.87: ENGLAND GOAL! Saka scores from the spot as he sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.90+6: FRANCE GOAL! Another twist as Dembele cuts in on his left foot and curls one into the corner.90+8: ENGLAND GOAL! Bellingham seals the win as he dribbles into the area and rounds the defenders to finish from close range.

Sky SportsSun, 19 Jul 2026
Source: Sky Sports
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85, 90+2! Argentina's late show breaks England hearts to end World Cup dream

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85, 90+2! Argentina's late show breaks England hearts to end World Cup dream

England missed out on their first World Cup final since 1966 after a stunning late turnaround from rivals Argentina saw the holders earn a 2-1 victory thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner.The Three Lions were leading 1-0 with five minutes of normal time remaining in Atlanta through Anthony Gordon's early second-half opener.But two goals in the space of seven minutes saw a remarkable comeback from Argentina as Enzo Fernandez levelled with a wonderful 85th-minute strike from distance before substitute Martinez headed in a 92nd-minute winner.Argentina's turnaround came after England boss Thomas Tuchel made a number of defensive substitutions as England looked to hold on to their lead.But following the changes, Argentina took firm control of the game and deservedly came back, with Lionel Messi playing a huge influence as he assisted Martinez's winner.Lionel Scaloni's side will now face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey, while England will take on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami."It feels overridingly that Tuchel got that wrong. The man who the FA employed because of his brilliant tactical nous in knockout games has to hold his hands up."England scored and had the upper hand, and Tuchel immediately shifted to try to hold what they had."Sitting deep for more than half an hour with stoppage time to go shifted all the momentum to Argentina. There were warning signs aplenty before they scored the equaliser, and more before the winner. Argentina could have scored more, hitting the post twice in a mad last quarter of the game."England can have no complaints. The better side won. But there's an awful feeling that this was to a large degree self-inflicted."3: FLASHPOINT! Fernandez catches Anderson, which leads to both sets of players pushing and shoving.33: FIRST SHOT! Stones heads wide from Rice's free-kick for the first attempt of the game.HALF TIME! Nineteen fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on target.47: FIRST SHOT ON TARGET! Alvarez tests Pickford at his near post.55: GOAL! England take the lead through Gordon's back-post finish from Rogers' superb cross.69: PICKFORD SAVES! Pickford gets down to one-handedly push away Nico Gonzalez's flicked header from Messi's cross.76: ARGENTINA HIT THE POST! Mac Allister heads De Paul's brilliant cross onto the post with Pickford rooted to the spot.85: GOAL! Fernandez fires in a stunning leveller from distance after huge Argentina pressure.90+2: GOAL! Argentina complete the turnaround as Lautaro Martinez heads in.LV: "Another manager went ultra conservative way too soon, and we were punished for it. Same as the Croatia game, same as the Italy game."Tyler: "Well done, Thomas. You gave the game to Argentina with your awful tactics. Allowed Messi and co to play in England's half. Really poor from the manager."James Wilson: "Exactly how we are under Southgate, nothing has changed. Score first and sit back and invite the pressure, it hasn't worked for the last decade. Why did Tuchel think it would work tonight?"Dancuzo: "Tuchel is the reason we are out. Poor decision-making after going 1-0 up, such negative play; couldn't believe a 'top' coach would have that mentality. Pathetic. Haven't played well in any game this World Cup. Blagged our way to the semis."Craigyboy79: "Thomas Tuchel lost that game for England - playing with six defenders to try and see the game out with over 30 mins to play is the worst game management I've seen. Terrible, terrible decisions."Jacob Sharratt: "Tuchel should be ashamed of himself. How can we be on the front foot for 70 minutes to sit back with six defenders!"Neil B: "We were in control. They could not handle our pressing. Then we scored and we stopped. This is on Tuchel."Dan Staples: "Arguably the worst tactical decision made from a 1-0 lead I have ever seen. Lost momentum completely, allowed them to hammer our back line. Just woeful tactics from Tuchel. Trusted him up until this point."

Sky SportsWed, 15 Jul 2026
Source: Sky Sports
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