Spain made history on Sunday, July 19, by lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy after a thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina in the tournament’s final showdown.
Opening match highlights
The competition kicked off on June 11 with Mexico securing a commanding 2-0 win over South Africa. The following day, South Korea edged past the Czech Republic 2-1, while Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina played out a tense 1-1 draw.
Weekend action and standout results
The third day of the tournament saw the United States deliver a commanding 4-1 performance against Paraguay, while Qatar held Switzerland to a surprising 1-1 draw. Brazil and Morocco played out a balanced 1-1 encounter, and Scotland claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Haiti. Australia also impressed with a 2-0 win over Turkey, and Germany dominated Curaçao with a 7-1 scoreline.
Midweek momentum
On June 15, Côte d’Ivoire began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, while Sweden dismantled Tunisia 5-1. Spain played out a goalless draw with Cape Verde, and Belgium settled for a 1-1 result against Egypt. The next day, France powered past Senegal 3-1 in a high-stakes Group A clash.
Late June drama and upsets
By June 28, the knockout stages had begun, with South Africa falling 1-0 to Canada in a closely contested Round of 16 match. Brazil survived a scare against Japan 2-1, while Germany’s campaign ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay. The Netherlands and Morocco played out a dramatic 1-1 draw before Morocco advanced on penalties, and France comfortably defeated Sweden 3-0.
Quarter-final clashes and semi-final showdowns
The quarter-finals delivered intense action: France eliminated Morocco 2-0, Spain edged past Belgium 2-1, England survived a late scare to defeat Norway 2-1 in extra time, and Argentina overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. In the semi-finals, France fell 2-0 to Spain, while Argentina saw off England 2-1 to set up a blockbuster final.
The grand finale
The championship decider saw Spain lift the trophy following a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, securing their third World Cup title in dramatic fashion.
