The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Spain defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time to win their second World Cup title. The tournament — the first to feature 48 teams — delivered 32 knockout matches across the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Here is the complete knockout stage recap.
The Final: Spain 1–0 Argentina
Spain needed a moment of individual brilliance to break down a stubborn Argentina side that played the final 25 minutes with ten men after Enzo Fernández was dismissed with a second yellow card in stoppage time of the second half. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the winner early in the second period of extra time, firing home a rebound to send the Spanish bench into chaos. Argentina failed to register a single shot — on or off target — for the first 115 minutes of the match. It was a defensive masterclass from Luis de la Fuente’s side, who conceded just one goal across the entire tournament — the fewest ever by a World Cup winner.
Semi-Finals and Third-Place Match
Spain reached the final by defeating France 2–0 in the semi-final on 14 July, controlling the match through Rodri’s midfield orchestration. Argentina edged England 2–1 in the second semi-final on 15 July, with Lionel Messi — playing in his final World Cup at age 39 — delivering an assist in what became his last competitive international appearance.
The third-place match on 18 July produced one of the most remarkable scorelines in World Cup history: England 6–4 France. Ten goals, no extra time, and a spectacle that reminded everyone why the third-place playoff — often dismissed as a meaningless fixture — can deliver pure entertainment when two attacking sides treat it as a showcase rather than a consolation.
Individual Award Winners
Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain). The Manchester City midfielder controlled every match he played, providing the defensive shield and passing tempo that allowed Spain’s attackers to flourish. His performance in the final — winning duels, recycling possession, dictating rhythm — was the defining individual display of the tournament.
Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) — 10 goals. Mbappé became the first player since Gerd Müller in 1970 to reach double figures at a single World Cup, scoring in every knockout round France played before their semi-final exit.
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain). Conceded one goal all tournament. Made crucial saves in the quarter-final against Belgium and kept a clean sheet in the final.
Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain). The 19-year-old centre-back started every knockout match and played with a composure that belied his age.
Notable Knockout Round Results
The expanded 48-team format produced several early surprises. The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 in the Round of 32. Egypt eliminated Australia on penalties. Colombia edged Ghana 1–0. Brazil required extra time to beat Japan 2–1. By the quarter-final stage, the usual powers had reasserted themselves: Spain, Argentina, France, and England were the last four standing — a final four that would have looked familiar in any era of World Cup football.