New Delhi: Spain’s victory in FIFA World Cup 2026 was more than lifting the trophy. Luis de la Fuente’s team made history by becoming the fourth team to win the World Cup without conceding a single minute of play.Before Spain, only Italy (1938), Italy (1982) and Germany (1990) achieved this feat. La Roja made another impressive record. They became the first World Cup winning team to score a single goal in the entire tournament.Spain sealed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra time win over defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
How Spain’s undefeated victory came about
Spain began their campaign with a stunning 0-0 draw against fellow World Cup rivals Cabo Verde despite creating 27 chances. They then defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal to become Spain’s second winner.An emphatic 1-0 win over Uruguay, courtesy of a goal from Alex Baena, helped Spain finish top of their group.In the knockout stage, 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 scoring.Spain then beat Portugal 1-0 after substitute Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner set up by Ferran Torres.In the quarterfinals, Merino struck again as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring.Spain did well in the semi-finals, beating France 2-0 through Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Porro’s goal.Finally, Torres’ long-range strike against Argentina capped off a memorable career as Spain lifted the World Cup for the second time and set a remarkable record.
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal
Deciding time came in the 106th minute. Argentina were down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.Lamine Yamal started to move to the right before finding Pedro Porro. The full-back race is almost over, but substitute Nico Williams has brought it back to the centre. Another substitute, Ferran Torres, met the ball well with his left foot to beat Emiliano MartÃnez.It was Spain’s 20th shot of the match, with Argentina yet to score.After the shot, Torres celebrated by hitting the corner flag before being carried off by his teammates.Reflecting on his game-winning feat, Torres said: “I think at the end of the day, it was a goal that 47 million people scored,” Torres said. “I feel very happy. I was criticized a lot during the World Cup, but I think it was written in the future and things. But I always have that chance, that chance to continue, and God gives to those who believe, who deserve it the most.”Torres came close to scoring again later in extra time but was ruled offside as Spain went on to become world champions.