Who made the difference for Spain? World Cup final player ratings

Jul 20, 2026 - 00:20

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Spain have won the World Cup after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

BBC Sport journalist Neil Johnston assesses how the players performed in New Jersey - and you can see how BBC Sport readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.

Spain

Starting XI

Unai Simon: Came charging outside his box in the opening minutes which almost led to disaster before recovering to help Spain add the World Cup to their European triumph of two-years ago. 7

Marc Cucurella: Drove forward on numerous occasions and went close with a rare first-half attempt which whistled just wide. 7

Aymeric Laporte: Has been a rock at the back throughout the tournament – and so he was once again as Spain recorded a seventh clean sheet in eight games. 7

Pau Cubarsi: Once again provided a calm presence in defence as he has done all tournament. Only the second player on record (from 1966) to complete 100-plus passes in a World Cup final. 8

Pedro Porro: Followed up on his solid display in the semi-final to play a part in the move that produced the winning goal. 7

Fabian Ruiz: Worked hard in the engine room as Argentina struggled to impose their authority. 7

Rodri: Another controlled midfield performance from the captain as he helped his country to their first World Cup triumph since 2010. 7

Alex Baena: Put himself about and made a nuisance of himself. 7

Dani Olmo: Created chances and made a nuisance of himself on another glorious day for Spanish football after the Euros success of 2024 and the Nations League triumph of 2023. 7

Lamine Yamal: Ends the tournament with a World Cup winners medal at the age of 19. Will there be more to come? Had the first chance of the final after finding space inside the box. 7

Mikel Oyarzabal: Has been influential upfront for Spain but was kept quiet for large parts. Ends a glorious tournament as Spain's leading scorer with five goals. 7

Substitutes

Pedri (62 mins): Came on to bring energy into the side. 7

Ferran Torres (62 mins): Injected pace into Spain's play and was first to react when the ball fell to him in extra-time to seal the biggest prize of all for his country. 8

Nico Williams (75 mins): What an impact. Williams has had to remain patient at this tournament and has been limited to a string of substitute appearances. Spain looked dangerous each time he had the ball at his feet and played a huge role in the goal. 9

Mikel Merino (75 mins): Has proved to be an impact substitute at this tournament and again played his part on a glorious day for Spain. 6

Eric Garcia (99 mins): Worked hard and put himself about after coming on in extra-time. 6

Martin Zubimendi (99 mins): Did what he needed to as Spain wrote another glorious chapter in their football history. 6

Listen: Football Daily - Spain win the World Cup

Argentina

Starting XI

Emiliano Martinez: Produced a fine save to keep out Lamine Yamal's free-kick right at the end of normal time. 6

Nicolas Tagliafico: Helped frustrate Spain for large spells before Argentina's 10-men were undone. 6

Lisandro Martinez: Booked for a foul from behind on Mikel Oyarzabal. Then replaced by Nicolas Otamendi before half-time after picking up an injury. 5

Cristian Romero: Helped ensure Mikel Oyarzabal – Spain's top scorer at this World Cup – was quiet. Booked for dissent. 6

Gonzalo Montiel: Showed great reactions to save a goal after Dani Olmo's low cross. 6

Nico Gonzalez: Replaced at half-time after Argentina failed to register an attempt in the first half. 5

Alexis Mac Allister: Fortunate to escape a caution after a late challenge on Dani Olmo. 5

Enzo Fernandez: Shocking challenge on Pau Cubarsi which resulted in a second yellow card and dismissal – Argentina's first red card at a World Cup since 2006. 4

Rodrigo De Paul: Struggled to influence the game and was replaced midway through the second half. 5

Julian Alvarez: Did not impose his authority on a day that belonged to Spain. 5

Lionel Messi: If this was his final appearance on the World Cup stage, what a sad end for the legend. Struggled to seriously test the Spain defence and finished the tournament on eight goals – two behind France's Kylian Mbapppe. 6

Substitutes

Nicolas Otamendi (41 mins): Came on towards the end of the first half for Lisandro Martinez and tried to make things happen before Argentina were undone by Enzo Fernandez's red card. 5

Leandro Paredes (46 mins): He had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was booked for shoving Rodri – and then was involved in ugly scenes at full time. 3

Nahuel Molina (50 mins): Disappointing end to his World Cup as Argentina came unstuck in the final. 5

Facundo Medina (70 mins): Unable to help his country as the best team won. 4

Giovanni Simeone (70 mins): Unable to make an impact as the Copa America winners struggled and Simeone could not get into get into the game. 4

Marcos Senesi (102 mins): Could not impact the game as Argentina conceded for the sixth straight game and lost the final. 4