Messi says ‘pain is immense’ after losing World Cup final
-
41'
Yellow card Lisandro MARTINEZ (Argentina) is booked by
-
52'
Yellow card Leandro PAREDES (Argentina) is booked by
-
82'
Yellow card Enzo FERNANDEZ (Argentina) is booked by
-
90'+2'
Yellow card Cristian ROMERO (Argentina) is booked by
-
90'+3'
Red card Enzo FERNANDEZ (Argentina) is booked for
-
105'
Yellow card Lionel SCALONI (Argentina) is booked by
-
106'
Goal Ferran TORRES (Spain) scores!!
-
111'
Yellow card Alexis MAC ALLISTER (Argentina) is booked
Spain squad
- Selected
-
8 Fabian RUIZ Midfielder
-
10 Dani OLMO Forward
-
12 Pedro PORRO Defender
-
14 Aymeric LAPORTE Defender
-
15 Alex BAENA Midfielder
-
16 RODRI C Midfielder
-
19 Lamine YAMAL Forward
-
21 Mikel OYARZABAL Forward
-
22 Pau CUBARSI Defender
-
23 Unai SIMON Goalkeeper
-
24 Marc CUCURELLA Defender
-
1 David RAYA Goalkeeper
-
2 Marc PUBILL Defender
-
3 Alex GRIMALDO Defender
-
4 Eric GARCIA Defender
-
5 Marcos LLORENTE Defender
-
6 Mikel MERINO Midfielder
-
7 Ferran TORRES Forward
-
9 GAVI Midfielder
-
11 Yeremy PINO Forward
-
13 Joan GARCIA Goalkeeper
-
17 Nico WILLIAMS Forward
-
18 Martin ZUBIMENDI Midfielder
-
20 PEDRI Midfielder
-
25 Victor MUNOZ Forward
-
26 Borja IGLESIAS Forward
Argentina squad
- Selected
-
3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO Defender
-
4 Gonzalo MONTIEL Defender
-
6 Lisandro MARTINEZ Defender
-
7 Rodrigo DE PAUL Midfielder
-
9 Julian ALVAREZ Forward
-
10 Lionel MESSI C Forward
-
13 Cristian ROMERO Defender
-
15 Nico GONZALEZ Midfielder
-
20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER Midfielder
-
23 Emiliano MARTINEZ Goalkeeper
-
24 Enzo FERNANDEZ Midfielder
-
1 Juan MUSSO Goalkeeper
-
2 Marcos SENESI Defender
-
5 Leandro PAREDES Midfielder
-
8 Valentin BARCO Midfielder
-
11 Giovani Lo Celso Midfielder
-
12 Geronimo RULLI Goalkeeper
-
14 Exequiel PALACIOS Midfielder
-
16 Thiago ALMADA Forward
-
17 Giuliano SIMEONE Forward
-
18 Nico PAZ Forward
-
19 Nicolas OTAMENDI Defender
-
21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ Forward
-
22 Lautaro MARTINEZ Forward
-
25 Facundo MEDINA Defender
-
26 Nahuel MOLINA Defender
Lionel Messi says "the pain is immense" after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup 2026 final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time. The result crowned Spain world champions for a second time and ended Argentina's defence of the title they won in 2022, dealing Messi his second World Cup final defeat after also losing to Germany in 2014.
At 39, Messi contributed eight goals and four assists as Argentina reached their third final in the past four World Cups, helping the side fight back from behind to beat Egypt and England in the knockout rounds. Spain, who conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, proved too strong in the final, and Messi is considered unlikely to play at the 2030 World Cup, though he has not yet confirmed his international future. In a social media post, he thanked supporters, praised his teammates' effort and congratulated Spain on their victory.
In short
- Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain
- Ferran Torres scored the winner in extra time
- Messi suffers second World Cup final defeat, future uncertain