Spain Player Ratings vs Argentina. Spain are back on top of world football after beating Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike sealed a historic triumph for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who controlled the contest from the first whistle and restricted the defending champions to zero shots on target in 90 minutes.
Enzo Fernández’s red card in second-half stoppage time tilted the contest further in Spain’s favour. The decisive moment came in the 106th minute when substitute Nico Williams delivered a brilliant knock-back for Torres to finish. Here is how every Spain player rated on the night they became world champions.
Ratings at a glance
Player
Rating
Role
Unai Simón
6/10
Goalkeeper — quiet but alert; early save from Messi key
Pedro Porro
7/10
Right-back — energetic; cross led to Torres’ winner
Pau Cubarsí
8/10
Centre-back — commanding; provoked Enzo red card; vital block
Aymeric Laporte
7/10
Centre-back — commanding; tactical foul earned yellow but prevented counter
Marc Cucurella
7/10
Left-back — excellent both ways; shot narrowly wide
Rodri
8/10
Midfield — Player of Tournament; tempo, interceptions, composure
Dani Olmo
6/10
Midfield/attack — intelligent link play; no decisive output
Left wing — width and combinations; struggled with final ball
Ferran Torres (sub)
8/10
Sub striker — GOAL (106’); composed finish; changed the final
Pedri (sub)
7/10
Sub midfield — fresh legs; sharp passing; Spain kept control
Mikel Merino (sub)
7/10
Sub — aerial presence; goal ruled out; headed wide; dominant
Nico Williams (sub)
8/10
Sub — pace; goal ruled out; assist for Torres; transformed attack
Martín Zubimendi (sub)
6/10
Sub — seamlessly replaced Rodri; kept structure
Eric García (sub)
6/10
Sub defender — calm close-out; no scares
Luis de la Fuente (coach)
9/10
Tactical masterclass; decisive subs won the title
Player-by-player ratings
Starters
Unai Simón 6/10
The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper had a quiet evening, shielded brilliantly by Spain’s backline. His biggest contribution was an early reaction save to prevent Messi breaking through. After that, Argentina barely tested him.
Pedro Porro 7/10
Another energetic display on the right flank. Defensively sound, recovered possession well and constantly stretched Argentina’s defence with overlapping runs. His cross into the box in extra time ultimately led to Torres’ winning goal.
Pau Cubarsí 8/10
Outstanding. The young Barcelona defender looked unfazed by the biggest match of his career, reading the game superbly and handling Julián Álvarez with authority. His anticipation provoked the reckless Enzo Fernández tackle that led to the red card, and a vital late block helped preserve the lead.
Aymeric Laporte 7/10
Another commanding performance at the heart of the defence. Calm in possession, dominant in the air and an experienced marshal alongside Cubarsí. His tactical foul on Messi late on earned a yellow card but prevented a dangerous counter-attack.
Marc Cucurella 7/10
Excellent on both sides of the ball. Argentina rarely threatened down his flank, allowing Cucurella to push high in support of Spain’s attacks. He nearly capped his performance with a goal, flashing a shot narrowly wide.
Rodri 8/10
Player of the Tournament. Dictated the tempo, recycled possession relentlessly, intercepted loose passes and broke up Argentina’s attacks before they could develop. His intelligence and composure were Spain’s heartbeat throughout.
Dani Olmo 6/10
Linked midfield and attack intelligently and almost created an early opener. Did not produce a decisive final-third contribution but his movement and ability to retain possession kept Spain in control.
Fabián Ruiz 6/10
Quietly effective. Crisp passing, excellent positioning and solid defensive work rate ensured Argentina struggled to build through midfield. An unsung but essential contributor.
Lamine Yamal 6/10
Spain’s biggest attacking threat in the opening stages, drawing doubles and trebles from Argentina’s defence. Unlucky to be blocked by Lisandro Martínez. His movement constantly stretched the Albiceleste shape even as individual openings dried up.
Mikel Oyarzabal 6/10
Opportunities were difficult to come by against Argentina’s compact block. Managed one effort that tested Martínez but sacrificed his attacking game by pressing aggressively from the front.
Alex Baena 6/10
Plenty of possession on the left and combined well with Cucurella. Struggled to produce a decisive final ball but contributed to Spain’s dominance by maintaining width and stretching Argentina’s defensive shape.
Substitutes
Ferran Torres 8/10
The match-winner. Replaced Oyarzabal and remained patient before perfectly timing his run to meet Nico Williams’ headed knock-back. His composed finish beyond Martínez secured Spain’s place in football history.
Pedri 7/10
Brought fresh energy to the midfield, immediately lifted the tempo with sharp passing and outstanding positioning. Ensured Spain never lost control as Argentina faded physically in extra time.
Mikel Merino 7/10
Immediate aerial impact. Unlucky to see one effort ruled out and headed wide from an excellent Nico Williams delivery. Played a major role in Spain’s dominance during the closing stages.
Nico Williams 8/10
Transformed the contest. His pace and direct running immediately stretched Argentina’s tiring backline. Saw a goal disallowed and created a chance for Merino before delivering the decisive contribution — winning the aerial duel and heading the ball into Torres’ path for the winning goal. Changed the final.
Martín Zubimendi 6/10
Seamlessly replaced Rodri in midfield without any loss of structure. Kept possession moving and ensured Spain’s control was never disrupted.
Eric García 6/10
Introduced to reinforce the defence as Spain closed out the match. Handled everything calmly with Argentina’s threat minimal by then.
Coach
Luis de la Fuente 9/10
A tactical masterclass from the World Cup-winning coach. Spain dominated every phase — possession, press and shape — and his substitutions proved the difference. Williams setting up Torres for the winner was the perfect vindication of his timing and selection instinct. A fully deserved second World Cup title for Spain.
Tekra Muthoni is an experienced digital content writer at Yaani Digital Limited, specializing in sports, betting insights, and digital media content. She has contributed extensively to leading platforms such as iWriter, Upwork, SportPesa, and other regional brands, helping scale content visibility through SEO and audience-driven storytelling. Tekra has studied in Faculty of Media and Communications (2023) – Laikipia University.
