Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win World Cup final — as it happened

We're going to wrap up our live coverage of Spain's World Cup final win over Argentina.

From all of us here at SBS News, thanks for joining us for the match and the entire tournament. It's been a pleasure.

We'll leave you with these celebrations from the Spanish squad after they took home football's biggest prize.

— Miles Proust

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain were the better side but said he was proud of his side.

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said Spain were the better side but he was proud of his men. Source: Getty / Alex Livesey

"They were better, that’s the truth. But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they’ve done, of what it’s worth to get this far," he said.

"We're great in victory, and we have to be great in defeat.

"Today we're showing that we know how to lose. We lost the match, and we're owning it.

"But that doesn’t mean we’ll stop remembering everything we did to get here.

Scaloni said he hadn't spoken with Messi about his future, but his tournament had been "unbelievable".

"He's 39 years old now," Scaloni said.

"It was crystal clear for me that he was going to play up until he decided not to.

"I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he's achieved, because he's the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch. I have no doubt about this, and what he did during this World Cup was incredible. But also what he did before this."

— Miles Proust

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to the European Championship in 2024 and now to the World Cup, had this to say after the win.

Luis de la Fuente with the World Cup trophy. Source: Getty / Catherine Ivill

"I’m so proud of this generation of footballers who have grown up with this philosophy, remained true to it, made it even better and set an example as a team and a family, they’re excellent, world-class footballers with exceptional talent," said.

"I’m very moved. Looking back and thinking about them, we’ve won everything, absolutely everything, with this generation of players."

— Miles Proust

Spaniards took to the streets of Madrid after the win. Source: Getty / Pablo Blazquez Dominguez

The scenes in Madrid. Source: Getty / Mateo Lanzuela

Spanish supporters packed out Movistar Arena Madrid for the match. Source: Getty / Carlos Lujan

And these were the scenes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Source: Getty / Roberto Tuero

Argentine fans watch on. Source: Getty / Tobias Skarlovnik

— Miles Proust

Spain's grip on men's football is showing no signs of loosening anytime soon.

La Roja deserved to be crowned World Champions today.

It means Spain now holds the European Championship, the Olympic title and the FIFA World Cup.

They remained in control from start to finish, and when Argentina were reduced to 10 men, a victory in what may be Lionel Messi's final World Cup match seemed all but certain.

There will be a Spanish Fiesta tonight, and few can argue that the best team didn't take home football's biggest prize.

— John Baldock

While things were kicking off behind him, Lamine Yamal, who is a practising Muslim, was on his knees praying.

— Miles Proust

Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal after coming on as a substitute, shared some words after the win.

"It was a goal scored by 47 million people, it wasn’t even mine or from the 26 players. It was destined to happen; it was ‌meant to be a winner," he said.

"Whilst all finals are tough, when you’re up against [Lionel] Messi, you do get a bit nervous. We played better football.

"I've been heavily criticised throughout the World Cup. Thank God, who always gives me the strength to carry on. God gives things to those who deserve them most."

— Miles Proust

Trump appeared to be directed out of harm's way by FIFA president Gianni Infantino seconds before celebratory pyrotechnics went off.

— David Smith

Spain are now two-time World Cup winners, their first title coming in 2010. They are also reigning European champions, having won their fourth title in 2024.

They have a good track record in finals, winning seven of nine finals across the major tournaments — the World Cup, the European Championship and the Nations League.

With the World Cup win, they've extended their unbeaten streak to 38 matches, a new all-time record.

— Miles Proust

After the whistle went Argentina's Leandro Paredes got physical with the Spain players which led to a red card for him and a wider bust-up.

You can watch the moment here:

— Madeleine Wedesweiler

Rodri is the last up, giving the trophy a kiss before it's brought onto the main stage and given to him along with the rest of the team.

The moment Spain have been dreaming of. Source: Getty / Carl Recine

Trump seems to want to get in on the action, standing to the side but Infantino runs over and seems to usher him off.

Spain have the moment they've all been dreaming of, raising the trophy and jumping up and down as the confetti cannons go off behind them.

— Miles Proust

Now the Spanish players are up on stage, receiving their winners' medals.

Infantino and Trump are the ones placing the medals on the players, with Infantino getting plenty of hugs and Trump handshakes, with the odd back pat for the US president.

— Miles Proust

It's the Argentine players' turn, taking to the stage as they are awarded their runner-up medals.

Messi is reduced to tears, perhaps reflecting that this could be his last World Cup.

But he's had a phenomenal tournament, still playing at his best, so who knows, perhaps we'll see him again in four years' time when he's aged 43.

— Miles Proust

Pau Cubarsí won the Young Player Award, aged 19, after a stellar debut World Cup.

Unai Simon has won the Golden Glove, having conceded just one goal across the whole tournament.

Spanish skipper Rodri won Player of the Tournament after leading his side to their first World Cup title in 16 years.

France's Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot, with 10 goals and four assists — two goals ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi.

He is also the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boots, and has also become the highest scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals.

The players took to the stage one by one to receive their trophies, where they were greeted by Infantino, Trump, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

— Miles Proust

Former Spanish player Sergio Ramos walks out on the pitch with the trophy for the presentation.

Infantino and Trump walking out on the pitch. Source: Getty / Carl Recine

He's followed by US President Donald Trump, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Trump has been notably absent from this World Cup, despite the US hosting the majority of games.

It wasn't picked up on the broadcast, but Reuters reported boos were heard as the pair took to the field.

— Miles Proust

It's nearly 12.30am in Spain, but no doubt they'll be partying well into the morning.

The scenes of joy at Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona after Spain secured their second World Cup title. Source: Getty / Eduardo Sanz

The streets in Madrid were packed after the win. Source: Getty / Chris McGrath

— Miles Proust

Ferran Torres’ goal totally deserved on the balance of play in the 2nd period of extra time. Argentina second best for most of that match.

— John Baldock, from New Jersey

Lamine Yamal celebrating after the win. Source: Getty / Maddie Meyer

Spanish joy. Credit: Getty

Mikel Merino celebrating after the full-time whistle blows. Source: Getty / Hannah Peters

Heartbreak for Messi. Source: Getty / Carl Recine

— Miles Proust

— David Smith

Source: SBS

The Spanish bench runs out onto the pitch. The players are embracing each other while Spanish fans in the stands jump up and down with joy, some in tears.

But some of the players are still going at it. Paredes shoves a Spanish player. Not a great look after losing a World Cup final.

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni also raced out as soon as the whistle blew, exchanging words with Spanish players.

Messi is sitting down, looking defeated.

A well-deserved win for Spain, who looked the far better side, despite wasting several chances.

— Miles Proust