Spain’s tennis legends Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal were quick to join the celebration after the national football team edged out Argentina to claim the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The duo took to social media to congratulate the World Champions on their historic win.
Spain won their second World Cup title following a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time triumph over the titleholders at MetLife Stadium, where substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute.
Overjoyed by the historic achievement, former Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz expressed his excitement on X.
“LET’S GO SPAIN!!!!!!!!!!!” Alcaraz wrote.
VAMOOOOOOOS ESPAÑA!!!!!!!!!!! ⭐️⭐️
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 19, 2026
Similarly, tennis great Rafael Nadal posted his enthusiasm for the squad’s second World Cup win.
VAMOOOOOOOS 🇪🇸🏆
¡CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO POR SEGUNDA VEZ! ⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/IbkSFwOqgy
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 19, 2026
“LET’S GOOOOO. WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND TIME!” Nadal posted on X.
Spain outclassed Argentina in the World Cup final
In the final match, Spain overcame defending champion Argentina 1-0 after extra time to capture their second FIFA World Cup trophy, courtesy of Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute finish off a header from Nico Williams.
Even with an impressive 12-save performance, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could not stop the game-winning goal. Spain controlled the pace and generated the majority of scoring opportunities. In contrast, Argentina was kept without a single shot during regulation and played the closing stages with ten men following Enzo Fernandez’s second yellow card.
This victory capped off an undefeated tournament run for the Spaniards, allowing them to pair the 2026 World Cup trophy with their UEFA Euro 2024 crown.
The final also saw Spanish prodigies Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, both 19, enter the history books as the fourth and fifth teenagers to play in a World Cup final. They joined an elite group alongside Pele (17, 1958), Giuseppe Bergomi (18, 1982), and Kylian Mbappe (19, 2018).
On the opposing side, Argentina skipper Lionel Messi established a record as the oldest outfield player to compete in a World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, breaking the previous mark held by Sweden’s Gunnar Gren (37 years, 241 days) from the 1958 final against Brazil.
Additionally, this appearance marked Messi’s third World Cup final, adding to his runs in 2014 and 2022. He joined Brazilian legend Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002) as only the second footballer in history to feature in three separate World Cup finals.
(With inputs from ANI)
