The Spanish national team etched their name into football history this past Sunday, July 19, by securing their first FIFA World Cup title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time. The tightly contested final match, held under the lights, delivered one of the tournament’s most dramatic conclusions.
Group stage results and standout performances
The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11 with an impressive display of attacking football. Mexico set the tone early, defeating Africa South 2-0 in a commanding Group A opener. The following day saw South Korea edge past the Czech Republic 2-1, while Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina played out a 1-1 draw in an evenly matched Group B encounter.
On June 13, the United States delivered a statement performance, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 in front of a packed venue. Meanwhile, Qatar and Switzerland settled for a 1-1 stalemate. The next day, Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw, while Scotland stunned Haiti with a 1-0 victory. Australia also impressed with a 2-0 win over Turkey.
Germany dominated their group opener on June 14, dismantling Curaçao 7-1, while the Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw. On June 15, Côte d’Ivoire began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, and Sweden overwhelmed Tunisia 5-1. Spain and the Cape Verde Islands played out a 0-0 draw, while Belgium and Egypt settled for a 1-1 draw.
Mid-tournament surprises and upsets
As the group stage progressed, several underdog stories emerged. Norway delivered a shock 4-1 win over Iraq on June 17, while Argentina comfortably beat Algeria 3-0. England also made a strong statement with a 4-2 victory over Croatia.
By June 25, the knockout rounds were taking shape. Morocco secured a crucial 1-0 win over Scotland, and Brazil continued their winning streak with a 3-0 victory over the same opponent two days later. Meanwhile, Turkey edged out Paraguay 1-0, and Germany defeated Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 to advance.
Knockout phase delivers high drama
The round of 16 began on June 28, with Africa South falling to Canada 1-0. The following day, Brazil survived a scare against Japan with a 2-1 win, while Germany and Paraguay played out a tense 1-1 draw that went to penalties. Morocco and Netherlands played to a 1-1 draw before the Dutch prevailed in a penalty shootout. Côte d’Ivoire were eliminated by Norway 2-1, while France made light work of Sweden with a 3-0 win.
The quarter-finals saw France defeat Morocco 2-0, Spain edge out Belgium 2-1, England overcome Norway 2-1 in extra time, and Argentina edge past Switzerland 3-1 after extra time.
Semi-finals and the grand finale
The semi-finals delivered two classic encounters. On July 14, Spain defeated France 2-0 to book their place in the final, while Argentina overcame England 2-1 the following day. The third-place playoff saw France edge England 6-4 in a high-scoring thriller.
After 23 days of intense competition, the final on July 19 saw Spain lift the trophy for the first time in their history. The 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina was sealed by a late goal, capping off a tournament filled with unforgettable moments and exceptional talent.
