Spain clinch second World Cup as Torres goal leaves Messi in tears again

Ferran Torres, Spain's super-sub, scored the decisive goal in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, leaving Argentina legend Lionel Messi in tears for the second time in his career at the tournament.

Torres came on for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute and netted the winner early in the second period of extra time, finishing off a pass from teammate Nico Williams in the 106th minute to secure Spain's second World Cup title.

The defeat echoed Messi's previous heartbreak in 2014, when Argentina lost the final to Germany after substitute Mario Götze replaced Miroslav Klose in the 88th minute and scored the only goal in the 113th, assisted by André Schürrle.

Similarly, Messi was seen in tears after the 2014 final, as he had yet to win a World Cup at that time.