Messi’s Heartbreak: Argentina Equals Unwanted Record in 2026 World Cup Final Loss to Spain

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates equaled an unwanted World Cup record, after the Albiceleste lost to Spain in Sunday’s final.

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres was the hero for Spain after slotting home the winning goal on 106 minutes, to help Luis de la Fuente’s side clinch a second World Cup title since 2010.

Torres was just the second substitute to score the winning goal in a FIFA World Cup final, after Germany’s Mario Götze in 2014, which also came against Argentina.

According to football and statistics website, OptaJoe, Argentina have now finished as runners up at the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time.

It is the joint-most of any side, along with Germany as Argentina also lost in the 1930, 1990, 2014 finals.

Four-time World Cup title winners Germany were runners-up in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002.

Also Argentina are the first ever team to fail to have a single shot in 90 minutes in a FIFA World Cup final.

Spain are now unbeaten in their last 38 matches in all competitions, the longest ever run by any European or South American team in history.