Describing a result as a 'victory for football' might seem like a trite cliche - but you won't find many neutrals disagreeing with that description of Spain's win in the 2026 World Cup final. When Ferran Torres slammed in the extra-time winner, and Rodri lifted the trophy high in New Jersey, it is hard to imagine many will have had sympathy for Argentina. Spain triumphed in a battle of endurance, for players and spectators, to beat the Argentines and win their second men's World Cup. On every football metric - and, some would say, morality too - this was the right result. "There is no doubt that the right team won," former England captain Alan Shearer said on BBC One. "From start to finish, Spain controlled possession. They were the ones looking to play football, create chances and get in behind. "This is a result for football because of the way that they have played. Spain deserve it." Spain had 65% possession, an expected goals tally of 1.94 and 20 shots on goal - 11 on target. At the other end, goalkeeper Unai Simon kept his seventh clean sheet in eight matches as he won the Golden Glove for the tournament's best goalkeeper. Spain conceded just one goal at the 2026 World Cup - the fewest conceded by any winning team.

Bukayo Saka became just the second England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout match, after Sir Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final. The only other player to score a treble versus France in the competition was Pele in 1958. And it means England achieved their highest men's World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966 - and their best-ever result on foreign soil. They did so in the highest-scoring World Cup third-place match ever, surpassing France 6-3 West Germany in 1958, and by beating a side higher in Fifa's rankings at a World Cup for the first time since the win over Argentina in 2002. After losing Wednesday's semi-final to Argentina in galling fashion, England showed no hangover from that disappointment by racing into a four-goal first-half lead in a chaotic game which up-ended any gloomy pre-match talk. Saka scored twice after Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa had put England in control inside the opening 20 minutes. France trailed by four goals at half-time of any match for the first time since April 1930, and the players were clearly given a rocket at the break by manager Didier Deschamps - for who this was his final game in charge of his country. And so momentum completely switched after the break, with France pulling three goals back and missing clear-cut chances to equalise. Kylian Mbappe netted either side of a Bradley Barcola goal, to put himself ahead in the race for the 2026 Golden Boot and leap above Lionel Messi to become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals. But Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto. Ousmane Dembele curled home in the sixth minute of stoppage time to cut the deficit to 5-4, however Jude Bellingham jinked through France's defence to seal England's win in the 98th minute. France had never before conceded six goals in a World Cup match. It is the first time they have conceded six times in any match in, appropriately, 66 years. Bellingham meanwhile finishes his superb individual tournament with seven goals at this World Cup - the most of any England men's player at a single edition. "It was brilliant," said former England defender Stephen Warnock on Match of the Day. "Some of the best free flowing football we have seen all tournament." "So much talent on show," added Danny Murphy. "Some of the football I have seen today is the best I have seen. It had everything."

Thomas Tuchel's side looked on course to reach England's first men's World Cup final since their win in 1966 when Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in a feisty encounter after 55 minutes. Argentina, however, were inspired and turned the contest around when Enzo Fernandez struck a magnificent equaliser with five minutes left, before Lautaro Martinez headed in a stoppage-time winner from Lionel Messi's cross. England's wait for success goes on as they now face France in the third-place play-off, while Argentina will attempt to retain their crown against Spain on Sunday. The searing atmosphere inside and outside Atlanta Stadium was mirrored by a feisty first half littered with 19 fouls, as American referee Ismail Elfath struggled to keep control. Fernandez came closest with a long-range drive just off target, but it was England who made the breakthrough when Morgan Rogers justified his selection with a perfect right-wing cross for Gordon to score at the far post. Argentina were stung into action and it required a brilliant reflex save from England keeper Jordan Pickford to keep out Nico Gonzalez's header. As England came under severe pressure, Alexis Mac Allister headed against the post before Argentina finally levelled five minutes from time, beating the defiant Pickford with a 25-yard drive. Tuchel had set up England to defend the box with four central defenders, but Argentina's momentum was unstoppable, Mac Allister hitting the woodwork once more before England finally crumbled in the 92nd minute and Martinez scored to settle an enthralling semi-final.

Luis de la Fuente's side blunted a France team brimming with attacking talent, controlled a game of few chances and will deservedly take their place in Sunday's showpiece thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half after a lapse from France left-back Lucas Digne resulted in him giving forward Lamine Yamal an unceremonious wallop as he tried to clear the ball. The spot-kick was confidently thumped into the corner by Oyarzabal and with a lead to defend, Spain's control of the match only grew. After a below-par first-half, France were expected to come out fighting but it was an increasingly confident Spain who seized the upper hand once more as Porro played a lovely one-two with Dani Olmo before slotting in the second at the near post. With a little more than half an hour to save themselves, France were again thwarted in their attempts to break down an incredibly disciplined Spain outfit, who have conceded just once all tournament. Spain remained calm, composed and full of class to the end and, ultimately, saw the game out comfortably. For France, their hopes of making a third final in succession are over as they go into Saturday's third-place play-off, which will represent the end of an era - with coach Didier Deschamps departing at the end of the tournament after 14 years at the helm. Meanwhile, Spain will now travel to New Jersey, where they will await the winners of Wednesday's second semi-final between England and Argentina, as they bid to win the World Cup for just the second time.

Julian Alvarez settled a controversial match in extra time with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel to set up the meeting with Thomas Tuchel's side – a match that will be shown live on the BBC. It was heartbreak for Switzerland, who had defended valiantly after being reduced to 10 men during the second half in dramatic circumstances. Star striker Breel Embolo was dramatically given a second yellow card for diving following a video assistant referee review. Embolo initially appeared to be fouled near the half-way line by Leandro Paredes, who was booked. However the referee was called by VAR to check under the mistaken identity rule, with the replay showing the Swiss player had clearly simulated contact. The Paredes booking was quashed and Embolo, who had already been booked, was sent off to his distress and Swiss outrage. Just five minutes before Embolo was dismissed, Switzerland had deservedly equalised having been the better team for much of this game against the reigning world champions. Argentina may have anticipated a cruise to the last four when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi's corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone. But they failed to press their advantage and Switzerland built into the game before Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes. Ndoye cut in from the left, played a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and tucked his finish through the legs of Emiliano Martinez. But Argentina assumed dominance after the Embolo red, and after long periods of struggle were blessed by Alvarez's moment of genius. Switzerland pushed for a second leveller, but they were caught on the counter and Lautaro Martinez slotted home as Argentina kept their bid for back to back World Cups alive.