Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal joined in the nationwide celebrations after Spain clinched their second FIFA World Cup title with a thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 final. Shortly after the final whistle, Nadal took to social media to congratulate the national football team on their incredible achievement.
The decisive moment came at MetLife Stadium when substitute Ferran Torres netted the winning goal in the 106th minute. Expressing his excitement over this historic win, Nadal shared his happiness with fans, standing out as one of the most prominent sports figures to honor La Roja's remarkable success.
Nadal's enthusiasm for Spain was evident long before the final match. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, whose uncle Miguel Angel Nadal proudly represented Spain in three FIFA World Cups, posted videos of himself celebrating the victory. As one of Spain's most celebrated athletes, Nadal has consistently supported the national football team, joining millions of fans in celebrating the country’s latest world title.
Spain's Dominance Across Historic FIFA World Cup 2026
Spain's victory was celebrated as a well-deserved reward for their consistent performances throughout the tournament. Ferran Torres provided the crucial moment in extra time, paving the way for captain Rodri to lift the trophy in New Jersey. From the very beginning, Spain dominated the final, boasting 65% possession, firing off 20 shots with 11 hitting the target, and finishing with an impressive expected goals tally of 1.94.
On the other hand, Argentina, despite a remarkable 12 saves from Emiliano Martinez, couldn't manage a single shot on target during regular time and ended the match down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez picked up a second yellow card.
This victory capped off an unbeaten World Cup journey and added another prestigious trophy to Spain's collection following their UEFA Euro 2024 triumph. Goalkeeper Unai Simon achieved his seventh clean sheet in eight matches, earning the Golden Glove, while Spain conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, the fewest by any World Cup-winning team. The men's squad now holds the titles of world, Olympic, and European champions, extending their unbeaten streak to 38 matches, the longest ever for a European nation.
https://x.com/FIFAcom/status/2078982201803223364?s=20
Spain also showcased the talent of its young stars. Pau Cubarsi completed an impressive 121 passes in the final, while Rodri followed closely with 101, making them the third and fourth players to achieve over 100 passes in a World Cup final. At just 19, Cubarsi was named the tournament's Young Player, and Lamine Yamal, who is only 19 years and six days old, became the third-youngest player to both appear in and win a FIFA World Cup final. Their emergence, coupled with Spain's recent success, suggests that the nation's dominance on the international stage is likely to continue for years to come.
