Lionel Messi he faced a missing day in the final victory of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Argentina in Spain, where the player failed to create a single chance for his partner for the first time in his World Cup. The numbers vindicated Spain’s defensive resilience as Luis de la Fuente’s side thwarted Argentina’s biggest threat en route to a 1-0 extra-time win at MetLife Stadium. Messi, making his 34th World Cup appearance in six tournaments, had yet to start FIFA World Cup match without creating a single chance for his teammates. This incredible tournament came to a final conclusion as Spain successfully denied him the places and moments that defined his international career. The 39-year-old was unable to produce the brilliant moments that led Argentina to their second consecutive World Cup final. Twenty years after making his tournament debut, Messi saw his bid to become a two-time world champion as Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title. Spain’s plan to have an Argentinian captain worked very well. Messi only had 15 touches in the first half and finished the game with just 54, never receiving a dangerous spot. His combinations failed to click, and he was never found to have a chance to threaten Spain’s defence. After the match, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente admitted that stopping Messi was the team’s main goal. “The first thought was for Messi not to leave,” he said. Spain dominated most of the tournament, finishing with a 20-2 advantage in shots as they managed 845 wins compared to Argentina’s 433. Ferran Torres finally scored 37 seconds into the second period of overtime, firing into the roof of the net after Nico Williams headed the ball into his path. The victory secured Spain’s first World Cup title since 2010 and extended La Roja’s international streak to a European record 38 matches. For Messi, the defeat was a disappointing end to another successful campaign. The Argentina captain led his country back to the World Cup finals with eight goals and four assists, as he became the first player to start the last three games of the FIFA World Cup. He also finished the tournament with 125 international goals, second only to him Cristiano RonaldoHe is 146 years old, and has appeared in 34 World Cups. Following the final whistle, an emotional Messi was comforted by several Spanish players before walking past a guard of honor made up of newly crowned champions as Argentina claimed their final medal. As Spain celebrated with the trophy, Messi left the field wearing a silver medal, his hopes of leading Argentina to consecutive World Cup matches dashed by a Spanish team that excelled when every other opponent failed, preventing one of football’s greatest producers from creating one chance.