FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain became the first world champion to achieve this incredible feat | Football News

NEW DELHI: Winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Spain is more than just lifting the trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s side created history by becoming only the fourth team to win a World Cup without conceding a single minute during the tournament.Before Spain, only Italy (1938), Italy (1982) and Germany (1990) achieved the feat. La Roja also made another remarkable record. They became the first World Cup winning team to concede just one goal in the entire tournament.Spain sealed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win over defending champion Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

How Spain’s unbeaten run unfolds

Spain started their campaign with a surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup debutants Cabo Verde despite creating 27 chances. They then beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal and becoming Spain’s second youngest scorer.A hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay, courtesy of Alex Baena’s goal, helped Spain finish top of their group.In the knockout rounds, Spain defeated Austria 3-0, Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added another. Goalkeeper Unai Simon also broke Walter Zenga’s World Cup record by going 519 minutes without conceding.Spain then beat Portugal 1-0 after substitute Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner from Ferran Torres.In the quarter-finals, Merino scored again when Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 after Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring.Spain produced one of their best performances in the semi-finals, beating France 2-0 thanks to Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Porro’s goal.In the end, Torres’ extra-time strike against Argentina completed a memorable campaign as Spain lifted the World Cup for the second time while making two incredible records.

Ferran Torres scored the winning goal

The decisive moment came in the 106th minute. Argentina were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.Lamine Yamal started a move down the right before finding Pedro Porro. The full-back’s cross almost went out of play, but substitute Nico Williams headed it back into the middle. Another substitute, Ferran Torres, met the ball perfectly with his left foot to beat Emiliano Martínez.It was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, while Argentina still had no attempt on goal.After scoring, Torres celebrated by kicking the flag in the corner before being chased by his teammates.Reflecting on his game-winning goal, Torres said: “I think at the end of the day, it’s a goal that 47 million people got,” Torres said. “I feel very happy. I was criticized a lot during the World Cup, but I think it was written by fate and things.Torres almost scored again late in added time but was ruled offside as Spain remained world champions.