Argentina’s Lionel Messi cries at the end of the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford. (AP Photo)
Argentina went down 1-0 to Spain after extra time, falling just short of defending their world title
Football legend Lionel Messi was left in tears after Argentina suffered a extra-time defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Monday July 20, 2026 (IST) .
Argentina went down 1-0 to Spain after extra time, falling just short of defending their world title.
Messi, who has most likely played his final FIFA World Cup in Argentina colours, was visibly emotional after the final whistle as his dream of ending his World Cup career with another title came to an end.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the second period of extra time against a 10-man Argentina side to seal Spain’s victory and secure La Roja’s second FIFA World Cup title.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists. With the defeat, Messi has now lost two of the three FIFA World Cup finals he has played, having also finished on the losing side against Germany in the 2014 final.
![]()








