Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Spain Claims World Cup Title in Tight Final

Spain has been crowned the men's World Cup champion, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at Met Life Stadium. The victory marks Spain's second World Cup title and makes them the first nation to hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously become the first nation to be men's and women's World Cup champions at the same time. Ferran Torres of Barcelona scored the decisive goal for Spain. Despite a stellar career, Lionel Messi was unable to lead Argentina to victory, with his performance in the final rated poorly. Messi was left in tears after the match, and his future with the national team remains uncertain. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni also expressed uncertainty about his own future beyond his contract expiring at the end of 2026.

Individual Accolades and Tournament Standouts

Following Spain's triumph, Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Spain's Lamine Yamal, at just 19 years old, has been highlighted for his significant impact during the tournament, with some suggesting he is taking the spotlight from Messi. In other player performances, Bukayo Saka earned a 9/10 rating as England secured third place by defeating France Bukayo Saka was the star of the show. Kylian Mbappé also made history, surpassing Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring chart with his 21st and 22nd career tournament goals. Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez admitted to playing through pain in his right hand throughout the World Cup.

Off-Field Spectacle and Tournament Concerns

The World Cup final was accompanied by a significant off-field spectacle, featuring performances from global stars like Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS, alongside celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet. President Trump was also in attendance, contributing to heightened security measures around the stadium. Amidst the global attention, Europe's top human rights body has raised questions about the World Cup's integrity and urged FIFA to establish a stronger framework for future tournaments. The final itself garnered an estimated 1.5 billion viewers worldwide, highlighting its status as the most-watched sporting event on Earth World Cup final is the most watched sporting event.

Club and Transfer News

In club-related news, Real Madrid's players scored the most goals throughout the World Cup tournament, despite Barcelona's Ferran Torres scoring the final's only goal. Barcelona has reportedly set a deadline of July 31 for Atlético Madrid to accept their offer for Argentinian striker Julián Álvarez. Elsewhere, Swansea City is nearing a deal for Motherwell's Elijah Just, who impressed during the World Cup. Manchester United teammate Senne Lammens is expected to grow stronger from his World Cup disappointment, according to Tom Heaton.

Other Sporting Headlines

In golf, Ryan Fox claimed his maiden major title at The 154th Open, defeating Cameron Young in a dramatic finish. Rory McIlroy expressed feeling 'stuck in neutral' during his performance at The Open, while Scottie Scheffler defended Bryson DeChambeau amid a rules controversy. In Formula, Lewis Hamilton expressed relief after a mechanic was unhurt following a pit-stop incident that resulted in a significant fine for his team. Kimi Antonelli admitted to reaching "rock bottom" a year ago before accelerating his title charge in the Formula 1 world championship Kimi Antonelli has admitted he could not have imagined. In cricket, England secured a series win over India in the third ODI at Lord's, with Ben Duckett scoring a century.