EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina controls the ball against Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Spain have broken Italy’s record of 37 unbeaten games in a row, but Argentina’s defeat means two Azzurri World Cup achievements remain intact.
Whatever the result this evening in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium would mean bad news for the Nazionale and its history books.
It went all the way to extra time, where Ferran Torres eventually broke down 10-man Argentina to give Spain the trophy.
Spain break Italy record
This means Spain are unbeaten in 38 competitive matches in a row, shattering the previous record of 37 set by Italy under Roberto Mancini between 2018 and 2021.
That record is gone, but Argentina had the opportunity to ruin perhaps two more important tallies for the Nazionale.
It means Italy and Germany remain the only teams to have won the World Cup on four occasions, both behind Brazil on five, as Argentina are still on three.
The Azzurri are also one of the only sides to have won the World Cup two for two editions in a row, in 1934 and 1938.
Brazil also achieved it in 1958 and 1962.
