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

Argentina are on the counter, with Spain looking a bit caught out, but Spanish keeper Unai Simón races out and clears.

Spain is in red, Argentina in blue and white stripes.

It's 27C and sunny, perfect conditions for the 80,000-strong crowd but perhaps a bit warm for the players.

— Miles Proust

Spain with the first chance of the game, with Yamal playing a one-two in the box, collecting at the near post and getting a shot off. But it's saved by Emiliano Martinez.

— Miles Proust

And we're underway at New York New Jersey stadium, with Argentina kicking off.

— Miles Proust

Spain is chasing its second World Cup title, having won its first and only title in 2010.

For Argentina, a win would secure their fourth World Cup and consecutive titles wins after winning against France at Qatar in 2022.

You can read more about each side's World Cup campaign below.

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Spain v Argentina: Who will win on the World Cup's biggest stage?

— Miles Proust

Spain won the most recent World Cup - the women's world cup in Australian in 2023.

Co-captain Aitana Bonmati lifted the trophy, now she presents the match ball to her compatriots.

If Spain win today it will be a historic men's and women's world cup double, if the Argentines win it'll be the first consecutive men's world cup wins since 1960.

Spain co-captain Aitana Bonmati presents the match ball. Source: Getty / David Ramos

— Madeleine Wedesweiler

The World Cup trophy has been delivered onto the pitch.

Tom Cruise is also out there for some reason, speaking about the joys of football.

Tom Cruise on stage. Source: FIFA / Hector Vivas

"We have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope, moments we will all never forget," he said.

"Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people, that turns strangers into friends, and reminds us of what we all have in common today."

Nicely put.

— Miles Proust

The closing ceremony is underway at New York New Jersey Stadium, with performances by Jennifer Hudson and Robbie Williams before kick-off.

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini on stage. Source: Getty / Florencia Tan Jun

There will be another Super Bowl-style half-time performance, which has drawn criticism from some quarters.

US President Donald Trump is in attendance, marking his first appearance at this World Cup.

— Miles Proust

Argentina have made three changes to the side that beat England in the semi-final.

Rodrigo De Paul starts in midfield, Gonzalo Montiel as right back and Nicolás González on the wing.

Giuliano Simeone, Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes will start on the bench for the side captained by Lionel Messi.

Spain have made no changes to the side that beat France.

— Miles Proust

SBS News spoke to a family that will be winners no matter what happens in New Jersey.

Spaniard Sandra Hurtado will be wearing a La Roja jersey while her partner, Fernando Travasso, will be backing his native Argentina.

They have raised their three children in Australia celebrating both sides of their cultures and are excited for a match today that's "a little bit spicy".

You can read more on that story here:

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Sydney family embrace divided loyalties ahead of Spain-Argentina World Cup showdown

— Miles Proust and Youssef Saudie

Football's biggest stars light up its biggest stage as Argentina take on Spain in the World Cup final.

We'll be covering all the action as the match kicks off at 5 AM AEST in New Jersey.

There will also be a US flavour to the spectacle; we're expecting a Trump appearance and a controversial half-time show, for the first time ever.

Argentine captain Lionel Messi could be one match away from cementing his incredible legacy with a second World Cup, and going one better than Diego Maradona.

But Spain come into this only having conceded a single goal in this tournament. Rock solid.

If you're anything like me you're also feeling grief that it's hours away from being all over. All 104 glorious matches.

Here's everything you need to know about the final:

• Spain v Argentina World Cup final preview
• What to know about the half-time show
• Sydney family embrace divided loyalties ahead of Argentina-Spain World Cup showdown

— Madeleine Wedesweiler