Ferran Torres climbed off the bench to score the decisive goal in extra time on Sunday night as Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, breaking the hearts of Lionel Messi and his teammates. 

Spain secured their second World Cup title after a tense final against Argentina, with the match decided deep into extra time.

The victory adds another major honour to Spain’s recent success under head coach Luis De La Fuente, who previously guided the team to European Championship glory in 2024.

The triumph places Spain among football’s elite nations, although they remain behind Argentina’s three World Cup victories.

Spain are #FIFAWorldCup Champions. ???? pic.twitter.com/mWLw5iis2C

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026

Martinez keeps Argentina alive with stunning saves

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was outstanding throughout the match, repeatedly denying Spain’s attacking threats and keeping the score level for long periods.

Spain had an early opportunity when Lamine Yamal found space inside the penalty area in the fifth minute, but his effort went straight at Martinez when he appeared to have a better chance to score.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper continued his heroics after the break, producing important saves to frustrate Spain.

In the 67th minute, Ferran Torres rose highest to meet a dangerous cross, but Martinez comfortably stopped his header. Fourteen minutes later, he again came to Argentina’s rescue, making a superb save to deny Aymeric Laporte’s header towards the left post.

Argentina reduced to 10 men before extra-time drama

Spain continued searching for the breakthrough and came close again in stoppage time when Nico Williams produced a curling effort from the edge of the box, only for Martinez to make another smart save.

Argentina’s hopes became more difficult moments later when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card in the 90th minute following a reckless challenge, leaving his side with 10 players.

Despite being a man down, Argentina continued to resist Spain’s pressure, with Martinez making another brilliant stop from Lamine Yamal’s free-kick in the eighth minute of added time.

Ferran Torres delivers Spain’s winning moment

Spain thought they had taken the lead shortly after the start of extra time, but the goal was ruled out following a foul in the build-up.

However, La Roja finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute.

Nico Williams delivered a header over the defence, allowing Ferran Torres to meet the ball inside the box and fire past Martinez to give Spain a 1-0 lead.

Ferran Torres.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xiPy6MJ6Mg

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026

Argentina pushed for an equaliser, but Spain’s defence held firm to eventually be crowned World Cup 2026 Champions.

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Ipswich Town are closing in on the signing of Ghana international Abdul Fatawu from Leicester City after the two clubs reportedly reached a verbal agreement over a £20 million transfer.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star, the deal is progressing quickly, with Leicester expected to finalise the transfer before Ipswich depart for their pre-season training camp in Spain next week.

Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing after Ipswich's initial offer was rejected on Friday. The Championship side remained in talks with Leicester and have now reportedly agreed a fee for the 32-cap Ghana winger.

Fatawu had also attracted interest from Premier League side Everton, with reports suggesting he had agreed personal terms with the Merseyside club. West Ham United and Turkish outfit BeÅŸiktaÅŸ were also linked with the 22-year-old.

However, Ipswich now appear to have won the race for the Ghana international, who is set to bolster Kieran McKenna's attacking options ahead of the new season.

Fatawu joined Leicester City from Sporting CP on an initial loan deal in 2023 before the move was made permanent following the Foxes' promotion to the Premier League. He has since established himself as one of Ghana's key attacking players and will now be hoping to make an immediate impact if the move to Portman Road is completed.

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Ghana's Black Queens will continue their preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Monday, July 20, when they take on Tanzania in a friendly match in Casablanca.

The encounter, which kicks off at 18:00 local time, forms part of the team's final build-up before the start of the continental competition, with the technical staff expected to use the fixture to further assess the squad.

The Black Queens head into the match after completing their first pre-tournament friendly against Ivory Coast and will be looking to build momentum as the tournament draws closer.

Facing Tanzania provides Ghana with another competitive test as the players continue to sharpen their performances and develop greater understanding on the pitch ahead of the championship.

The friendly also gives the coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate individual performances and tactical combinations before selecting the team's preferred lineup for the tournament.

With WAFCON fast approaching, Ghana will be aiming to ensure the squad is fully prepared and in peak condition as they seek a strong campaign at Africa's premier women's football competition.

At the tournament, the Black Queens are in Group D, where they will face Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde.

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Dreams FC have completed the signing of left-back Majeed Abubakar Sapak. 

The young left-back joins the Still Believe lads from lower-tier side Hakla FC.

Abubakar becomes Dreams FC's third signing following the arrivals of Joel Agbovi and Salifu Osman.

"Dreams FC is delighted to announce the signing of Majeed Abubakar Sapak on a permanent transfer from Hakla FC. The defender joins the Still Believe family after successfully passing his medical and completing all transfer formalities. Welcome to Dreams FC, Majeed! We wish you every success in the green and white," wrote the club, announcing the arrival of the defender.

Dreams FC are preparing for the new campaign with the team opening camp for pre-season.

The Ghana Premier League side reached the final of the FA Cup last season and will be hoping to go a step further in the 2026/27 campaign.

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German-born Ghanaian winger Maximilian Baafi has joined Czech outfit Viktoria Zizkov in the summer transfer window. 

The 22-year-old signed a deal to join the Czech second tier side on a free transfer after leaving Dutch side FC Twente.

Baafi has been signed to bolster the attack of Zizkov as they eye promotion ahead of the 2026/27 season.

"A similar story brought Maximilian BAAFI (22) to the broadcaster. The Hamburg native grew up in football in the St. Pauli youth team and subsequently worked in the joint Dutch project of the Twente and Heracles academy. The German forward, who understands the ball and finds one-on-one duels a challenge, also passed the tests in Viktoria and will fight in the red and white colors. Welcome to Žižkov!" posted the club on their official website. 

Baafi previously played for St Pauli and Einsbuttel's youth teams in Germany before moving to the Netherlands.

Despite being born in Hamburg, he remains eligible to play for Ghana's senior team.

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The Black Queens continued their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with another high-intensity training session in Casablanca, Morocco.

Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren and his technical team put the players through a series of tactical, technical and physical drills as Ghana fine-tunes its preparations ahead of the continental tournament.

The session focused on improving pressing, movement off the ball, ball circulation and finishing, while strength, agility and conditioning exercises also formed part of the programme.

The players trained with high intensity and enthusiasm, reflecting the positive atmosphere within the camp as the countdown to WAFCON continues.

Ghana is using the training camp in Casablanca to build fitness, sharpen tactical awareness and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the competition, which runs from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.

The Black Queens will be aiming to improve on their bronze-medal finish at the last edition by mounting a strong challenge for the continental title in Morocco.

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New Black Queens assistant coach Pierre Persson believes Ghana has the quality to make a strong impact at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after describing the team's potential as "enormous."

The Swedish tactician, who has joined head coach Kim Lars Björkegren's backroom staff, says accepting the opportunity to work with Ghana was an easy decision after receiving the call to be part of the Black Queens' WAFCON campaign.

"When Kim called, I was really happy. Joining the Black Queens for WAFCON is a huge honour and a challenge I'm genuinely excited about. This team has enormous potential, and I'm delighted to be part of the journey," Persson said.

Persson arrives with more than a decade of experience in women's football, having served as a head coach, sporting director, club director and general manager in Sweden's top women's leagues. He is also currently attached to Finnish side Ã…land United.

His immediate focus is on sharpening Ghana's passing, possession play and tactical organisation as the Black Queens continue their preparations in Casablanca.

"My role is to complement the head coach by working on passing drills, possession and tactics. The players are technically gifted and explosive, with many competing at top clubs in Europe. My job is to help them move the ball quicker, improve their movement off the ball and increase the tempo in possession."

Since arriving in camp, Persson has introduced high-intensity training sessions built around concentration and precision while ensuring the team's existing culture remains intact.

"It's important to respect the culture that's already here, but I also want to bring new ideas. Every training session should demand focus and precision because that's what helps players improve."

The former Swedish league coach has also praised the mentality within the squad, insisting the competitive environment is helping drive standards.

"These players already compete at a high international level, and they constantly push each other. My goal is to build their confidence by recognising what they're doing well while also showing them where we can improve."

Despite only recently joining the technical team, Persson says he has been encouraged by the reception he has received from both the players and staff.

"As a new coach, I know I have to prove myself, but the response from the players and staff has been very positive. There's much more to come, and I'm really looking forward to the journey ahead."

The Black Queens are continuing their preparations in Morocco ahead of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which gets underway on July 25.

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Black Queens assistant coach Pierre Persson says he is building on the team's existing strengths while introducing new tactical ideas as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Swedish coach, who recently joined head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren's technical team, has been tasked with improving Ghana's possession play, passing accuracy and overall tactical execution ahead of the continental tournament.

Persson believes the Black Queens already possess the technical quality needed to compete at the highest level and wants to help them play with greater speed and precision.

"My role is to complement the head coach by working on passing drills, possession and tactics. The players are technically gifted and explosive, with many competing at top clubs in Europe. My job is to help them move the ball quicker, improve their movement off the ball and increase the tempo in possession," Persson said.

Since joining the team's training camp in Casablanca, the Swedish tactician has overseen high-intensity sessions designed to sharpen the players' decision-making, concentration and execution in possession.

Ghana are currently based in Casablanca as they continue preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.

The Black Queens will be hoping to make a strong impression at the tournament as they target a successful return to Africa's biggest women's football competition.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its conclusion on Sunday with Spain and Argentina set to clash in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

After six weeks of football across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament comes down to one final match to decide the world champions. A total of 48 teams took part in the expanded competition, playing more than 100 matches before the finalists emerged.

Defending champions Argentina are aiming to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago, while Spain are chasing their second World Cup crown after their triumph in South Africa in 2010.

All eyes will once again be on Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who is widely expected to be playing in his final FIFA World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has the opportunity to end his World Cup journey by lifting the trophy for a second consecutive tournament.

Spain, meanwhile, have relied on an impressive blend of youthful talent and defensive discipline throughout the competition. Nineteen-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has been one of the standout performers of the tournament, while Spain's backline has conceded just one goal on the road to the final.

Beyond the action on the pitch, fans can also expect an entertainment-filled spectacle.

The closing ceremony, scheduled to begin ahead of kick-off, will feature American rapper Post Malone as the headline act. Hollywood star Tom Cruise, singers Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams, along with popular streamer IShowSpeed, are also expected to appear. Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem before the match.

The final will also make World Cup history by introducing the tournament's first-ever halftime show. The performance will feature global music stars Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS, alongside Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, New York's PS22 Chorus and British band Coldplay.

United States President Donald Trump is also expected to attend the final.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. GMT), with football fans across the globe set to witness the crowning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions.

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Accra Shooting Stars emerged Gothia Cup B18 champions after defeating Ireland's Newbridge Town FC 2-1 in a thrilling final in Gamla Ullevi. 

The Ghanaians dominated much of the game, creating several early chances before taking an early lead in 18th minute after Newbridge goalkeeper Cian Rushe parried Karim Mohammed's long-range effort, with Daniel Opoku finishing.

However, Newbridge Town levelled early in the second half through Josh Hamilton's penalty.

Opoku struck his second goal of the evening following excellent build-up play, restoring the lead and ultimately clinching the title for the Ghanaian side.

Despite the late pressure from the Irish outfit, Accra Shooting Stars defended resolutely to secure a historic triumph and lift the prestigious Gothia Cup trophy.

Two-goal hero Daniel Opoku was deservedly named the Final MVP. Reflecting on the victory, he credited the team's success to hard work, discipline and faith.

"I planned it and God made it happen. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I also want to thank our supporters. We were compact, organised and calm on the ball. We applied everything we learnt in training, and we deserved to win."

The victory marks another proud moment for Ghanaian youth football, showcasing the country's immense talent and reaffirming its growing reputation on the international stage.

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The Major League Soccer made a comeback this weekend after a one-month break due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup which comes to an end on Sunday July 19, 2026.

Mohammed rose high to head home the winner from an Alex Muyl cross with ten minutes remaining. It was the 22-year-old's second goal in five matches this season.

The Ghanaian winger was handed a starting role following a series of impressive displays and repaid the manager with a goal that will extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table.

His compatriot Maxwell Woledzi also starred for the Boys in Gold, playing full throttle in the 1-0 victory.

Nashville will next face Montreal CF at the GEODIS Park on Wednesday July 22, 2026.

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