Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly reflect on Spain winning a second World Cup, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner highlighting Spain’s depth and collective style under Luis De la Fuente. They lament Argentina’s negative, ill-disciplined performance which lacked any shot on goal until the 117th minute, a red card for Enzo Fernandez and post-match flare-ups—calling it a frustrating final, and a sad possible last World Cup game for Lionel Messi. The pair also assess the tournament as good rather than great, discuss England’s missed opportunity under Tuchel and the value of federation-rooted coaches, and condemn chaotic World Cup organisation in the US, including Secret Service delays linked to Donald Trump, celebrity-centric presentation, and a halftime show no-one asked for. For all the analysis, predictions and news you need for the World Cup, tune in to Copa Independent on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Despite crass commercialisation, and political meddling, the finals remain magica

Hosts Tamerra Griffin and James McNicholas take a look back at the unforgettable highlights and lowlights defining the 2026 World Cup. On the eve of the historic final between…

Lionel Messi’s Argentina defend their title against European champions Spain in New Jersey

The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its climax as Spain take on Argentina in a highly anticipated final. The match pits the defending champions against one of football's rising…

Epic tournament reduced to a cauldron and concludes as something claustrophobic and almost unbearable

Spain deserved their win, and America desperately needed a feel-good summer.

Spain win their second World Cup with a late goal from substitute Ferran Torres.

As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping…

Manager says team and and fans ‘deserve everything’ while Lionel Scaloni will ‘think about the future’ with Argentina

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin, Jonathan Wilson and Sid Lowe as Spain win the 2026 World Cup.

The route to this World Cup victory involved beating the other 2022 finalist and then suffocating Argentina as they dried out in the sun

Join our writers for the latest news and reaction after Spain earned their second men’s World Cup title with victory over Argentina

Argentina became just the second defending champions in 30 years to reach the final.

Argentina seemed content to niggle, pull shirts, shove, foul and disrupt rather than attack. In some respects, it was remarkable they finished with only one red card, Enzo…

Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the World Cup final as Spain beat Argentina in New Jersey - but the game was marred by unsavoury scenes at the full-time whistle

Join our writers for the latest news and reaction after Spain earned their second men’s World Cup title with victory over Argentina

Hosts Tamerra Griffin and James McNicholas deliver the ultimate preview for the historic 2026 World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain. The Athletic’s James Horncastle joins…

The Spain manager is now a world and European champion after his side produced a near flawless display to beat Argentina in the World Cup final, writes Chris Wilson in New York

In some ways, the tournament was like the best American fast food, writes Miguel Delaney, entertaining but immediately forgettable, yet Fifa ushered through some harmful…

A thrilling tournament concluded with a slog of a game where Spain finally emerged as the winner.