The history books will record Ferran Torres as Spain’s official Player of the Match for scoring the winner, but the most vivid act of heroism belonged to a teenager.

After Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón collected the Golden Glove following La Roja's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in Monday's World Cup final in New York, there was little debate over whether he deserved to be recognised as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

On one side stand the 2022 World Cup champions and three-time winners Argentina, proudly holding up pamphlets bearing the slogan "Us against the world" in bold red. On the other stand, well, the representatives of the other 47 teams at the tournament.

"I dreamed that we would win it again. I dreamed of bringing it to Argentina and making history once again," the Aston Villa goalkeeper wrote on social media post.

Spain produced a dominant display to beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final and reclaim the title they last won in 2010 at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday.

At 39, Messi remains as influential as he was during Argentina's triumph in Qatar. His performance in the dramatic semifinal comeback against England once again underlined his enduring ability to shape the biggest occasions.

It is the FIFA World Cup 2026 top scorers against the tournament's meanest defence. With Argentina having netted 19 goals and Spain conceding just once over seven matches, both goalkeepers are likely to play major roles in tonight’s showpiece at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Unlike Spain and France, who reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals by winning all six matches within regulation time, Argentina and England have endured a tougher route to the last four.

"After the 2-0, I felt like I couldn't help anyone, and I don't like that feeling," Martinez told reporters. "I think my time will come. I need to help them a lot more. They're saving me in several games, and it's my turn to do it."

Bangladesh's extraordinary passion for football has earned another heartfelt acknowledgement from a global superstar, with Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker thanking the country's fans for their unwavering support during the FIFA World Cup.

Even silent terror has a colour. Perhaps it is pale. Perhaps it resembles an evening when every breath feels trapped in the chest.

December 18, 2022 -- Lusail Stadium. More than 88,000 spectators in the stands were on the verge of holding their breath, while millions of football fans around the world stared fixedly at their television screens. In the middle of the pitch stood a group of battle-weary warriors. After regulation and extra time, the scoreboard showed a 3-3 deadlock.

The Argentine international, dubbed a 'specialist in provocation' by French sports daily L'Equipe, was seen wearing a hat that celebrated the Albicelestes' success while covering up a French cockerel emblem on Tuesday.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has attempted to provoke Paris Saint-Germain supporters with a baseball cap poking fun at France's defeat by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final as he arrived for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said he would hang up his gloves if Albiceleste won the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Aston Villa's Martinez will return to international duty after serving a two-match ban from FIFA for "offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play".

The incident was caught by the cameras broadcasting the match in Barranquilla and quickly uploaded to social media, where Colombian fans interpreted it as a sign of being a sore loser.

“One more step... We suffered a lot against a tough opponent. We passed to the semis thanks to the work of everyone and on top of that we have the best goalkeeper in the world @emi_martinez26. Go Argentina!” Messi wrote on Instagram.

Clubs are not obliged to release players for the Olympic football tournament held in France between July 24-August 9 with the new Premier League campaign beginning on August 17.

The Villa stopper received a hostile reception throughout from Lille fans who had not forgotten his provocative celebrations after Argentina beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.