Ferran Torres scored a dramatic 106th-minute winner as Spain dominated 10-man Argentina 1-0 to lift their second World Cup, shattering Lionel Messi's dreams of a perfect international farewell in front of a star-studded crowd at MetLife Stadium.

Spain have been crowned World Cup champions!

Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi’s dreams of a triumphant farewell to football’s greatest stage. Spain totally dominant Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes. A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory. But the 39-year-old maestro — almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game — was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout. Fernandez sees red The South Americans’ skullduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi in injury time. For long periods though it looked as if Argentina may somehow hold on for a penalty shoot-out as Spain struggled to make the breakthrough. But after Nico Williams had a goal controversially disallowed in extra-time, Spain struck. A lofted cross to the back post by Pedro Porro found Williams who nodded into the path of Torres to crash home the goal that would clinch Spain’s second World Cup title after their maiden 2010 triumph. Earlier, a clear sign of Argentina’s frustration came in the 15th minute when Alexis Mac Allister went flying in with a studs-up challenge that struck Dani Olmo’s ankle. Mac Allister escaped an early yellow card although after Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic only awarded a foul. Spain made their presence felt moments later though, with Alex Baena poleaxing Messi with an elbow to the back that again escaped sanction. Argentina test referee’s patience Argentina continued to test referee Vincic’s patience with a series of niggly challenges, and Nicolas Tagliafico was lucky not to be cautioned after raking Lamine Yamal’s calf in a clumsy challenge. Spain meanwhile continued to probe for openings but Mikel Oyarzabal failed to seriously test Emi Martinez with a low shot that the Argentina goalkeeper gathered easily in the 39th minute. Eventually though Vincic did reach for a yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez booked for a cynical challenge on Oyarzabal. Martinez was substituted shortly afterwards with an apparent injury, veteran Nicolas Otamendi coming on in his place. The final’s controversial extended half-time show featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber stretched to 27 minutes but did little to upset Spain’s rhythm. The Spanish piled on the pressure in a lopsided second half as Argentina hung on grimly. Spain coach de la Fuente sent on Pedri and Ferran Torres for Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal and the chances continued with Argentina in full siege mode. Yamal twisted away and chipped a cross for Torres, whose downward header was saved by Martinez. Pedri and Cubarsi both lashed long-range shots that Martinez failed to grasp at the first attempt but somehow Argentina continued to hold on. Subs spark Spain But the arrival of substitutes Williams and Mikel Merino gave fresh life to Spain’s attacking momentum, and the onslaught continued. Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute before Torres and Rodri both fired long-range shots from Martinez. Fernandez’s dismissal left Spain down to 10 men heading into extra-time. Martinez had one last save deep in stoppage time when Yamal’s superb whipped free-kick was clawed wide. The Spanish dominance continued in extra-time, with Williams almost opening the scoring with a glancing header that Martinez got down well to save one-handed. Moments later it looked as if Spain had made the breakthrough when Williams slid a low finish into the net but referee Vincic blew for a marginal foul on Nicolas Otamendi. But the breakthrough came with Torres’s winner on 106 minutes. Argentina made a desperate last raid on Spain’s goal but La Roja held firm to seal victory.

New Zealander Ryan Fox won the 154th British Open with a birdie at the last to claim his first major at 10 under par on Sunday. The world number 56 produced a two-under-par 68 on the final day to pip American Cameron Young to the Claret Jug by one shot. Son of former All Black rugby union international Grant Fox, the 39-year-old was 52nd after playing the first two rounds in level par. But he tied the all-time record low score of 62 for a round in a major on Saturday to set up his shot at history. As the other overnight contenders faltered on a thrilling final day at Royal Birkdale, Fox produced his best under extreme pressure with birdies at 13, 14, 16 and 18 to claim, by a distance, the biggest win of his career. “I don’t really know what to think at the moment,” said Fox. “I spoke to my kids last night and they said ‘bring back a trophy’. I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them.” He becomes just the third man from New Zealand to win a major after Bob Charles at the 1964 British Open and Michael Campbell at the US Open in 2005. The Kiwi kept his nerve as others, unaccustomed to the pressure of battling for a major wilted in a tense final round. Sam Burns held a two-shot overnight lead, but that vanished in three consecutive bogeys at four, five and six that cost the American his first major as he finished third at eight under par. South Korea’s Kim Si-woo moved within sight of his major breakthrough with nine holes to play but was four over on the back nine. Young’s shot appeared to have gone with a four-over par back nine on Saturday to leave the American seven shots off the lead at the beginning of the day. But the world number four stormed through the front nine in 29 shots to go from three under to eight under par and added more birdies at the two par fives on the 14th and 17th coming home to move to 10 under. However, he found the sand off the tee at 18 and smashed his second shot into the face of the bunker for a costly bogey. Scheffler falls short Defending champion Scottie Scheffler left himself too much to do as he finished in a tie for fourth at seven under after a rollercoaster final round. The world number one began the day six back, but halved that deficit with three birdies in his opening five holes. Bogeys at the 13th, 15th and 18th ensured he will end 2026 without adding to his four major wins. Local hero Tommy Fleetwood finished alongside Scheffler after briefly giving his adoring public belief he could end the wait since 1992 for an English winner of the British Open. The world number nine was three under for the day through eight holes to close to within one of the lead. Three consecutive bogeys dropped Fleetwood back to where he started the day at five under before a birdie-birdie finish to move into the top four. Rory McIlroy was never truly in contention to land his seventh major and ended with a 71 to finish at one under par for the tournament. “Any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey,” said the world number two. “Just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.” Bryson DeChambeau’s two-shot penalty after his second round on Friday ultimately did not prove decisive in the destiny of the championship as the American finished at four under. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Casey Jarvis shot a final round 66, with four birdies and no dropped shots to finish in a tie for sixth, on a total of six-under-par, four shots back of Fox. Hennie du Plessis was tied 46th, Shaun Norris tied 53rd, Aldrich Potgieter tied 59th and MJ Daffue tied 71st. The three SA players who missed the cut were Jayden Schaper, Michael Hollick and amateur Jack Buchanan. Full leaderboard

Drake has lost $1,5 5 million on a bet that Argentina would win the FIFA World Cup. The South American country lost 1-0 to Spain. The Canadian rapper – who is believed to have a “curse” when it comes to sports bets – was in attendance at the New Jersey Stadium, where the heated finale took place. DRAKE LOSES MILLIONS IN FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL BET As the final whistle blew, signalling Spain’s defeat of Argentina, news quickly spread about Drake’s high-stakes loss… Drake just lost 1.5 million dollar on a bet 🤔 pic.twitter.com/XTV497QBu0— Snackzzz🇯🇲🐉 (@papisnackzz) July 19, 2026 THAT 2022 BET AGAINST ARGENTINA It’s not the first time Drake has lost millions, and the hands of Argentina’s national team. In 2022, the rapper bet $1 million on Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the final against France,  And while Argentina won, he lost every cent as it did not take place within 90 minutes. Argentina and France were tied 2-2 at 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time. Drake had bet on the 1×2 market; only the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time counted. Since the match was tied after regulation, the official betting result was a draw, meaning his wager was a loss. Ultimately, the country that boasts Lionel Messi has their superstar player,  won 4-2 on penalties to become world champions.

Jayden Adams’s second baby mama, Jody Solomons, has shared a sweet ode to her son’s father on TikTok. The woman is the mother of Jayden’s son, Jude. The late Bafana Bafana player – who reportedly took his own life a week ago – also has a daughter, Allaia-Jayda, with his girlfriend, Aqueelah Adendorf. JAYDEN ADAMS’S BABY MAMA POSTS ODE TO LATE SOCCER STAR In a TikTok video, Jody Solomons dedicated another post to Jayden Adams, the father of her son, Jude. The brunette woman posted several images of her son to the song, Sengithole Omunye by Feza featuring Chulumanco M. The viral Maskandi hit track was the soundtrack to a clip of Jayden and fellow Bafana Bafana player Oswin Appollis dancing at the FIFA World Cup just a few short weeks ago. The song’s lyrics speak of heartbreak, healing, and moving forward. Like his famous father, the little boy beamed for the camera. RELATIONSHIP TIMELINE In her tribute to Jayden Adams earlier this week, Jody Solomons revealed that her young son was born in 2024. At the time of his death, Jayden was in a relationship with his partner, Aqueelah Adendorf. Aqueelah, who was first linked to the soccer star in 2021,  is the mother of the couple’s five-year-old daughter, Allaia-Jayda. In older TikTok videos, Jody talked about being a single mother and raising her child alone. In a post last year, she shared: “Maybe I wasn’t made to be someone’s wife or girlfriend. But I know I was made to be someone’s mom”. In another, she added: “Two worlds did collide, but I was left to do it alone”. The nature and timeline of Jody and Jayden Adams’s relationship is unclear.

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