The 2026 FIFA World Cup final in the United States, Canada, and Mexico concluded in the early hours of July 20th, Beijing time, at New Jersey Stadium in New York. In this epic clash dubbed a "battle of mentor and student," Spain secured a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina thanks to Ferran Torres's volley in the 106th minute of extra time, lifting the World Cup trophy for the second time in 16 years, following their win in South Africa in 2010. This victory marks Spain's second consecutive major tournament win, combining their European Championship and World Cup victories within two years of their 2024 European Championship win.
Spain controlled the game from the very first minute, maintaining 65% possession and a near 90% pass completion rate. The statistics are astonishing: Spain had 20 shots, 12 on target, while Argentina didn't get their first shot until the 116th minute, with Messi scoring. In the 6th minute of extra time, Spain's Nico Williams scored, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Merino. Nine minutes later, Ferran Torres volleyed home a header from Nico Williams, scoring the only goal of the match. Spain conceded only one goal in eight matches throughout the tournament, setting a new record for the fewest goals conceded by a World Cup champion in a single tournament. They also extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches, breaking the record for the longest unbeaten run in European and international football history.
It's worth noting that 39-year-old Messi finished his sixth World Cup journey as runner-up. In this World Cup, he scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists, briefly breaking Miroslav Klose's record for most goals in World Cup history, ultimately finishing with 21 goals. At 39 years and 25 days old, Messi became the oldest non-goalkeeper to appear in a World Cup final. Photographed with tears in his eyes after the match, Messi may very well have completed his final performance on the World Cup stage.
At 19, Yamal wrote his own legend. He started and played the full 120 minutes in the final, recording 4 shots, 2 on target, and 5 successful dribbles out of 9 attempts. At 19, he became the youngest World Cup winner since 1982, and also the youngest player in history to win both the European Championship and the World Cup. When 39-year-old Messi and 19-year-old Yamal faced off in the final, it marked a historic exchange of power between two generations of Barcelona's number 10.
With the dust settled on the field, the battle in the collectibles market off the field has just begun—tonight (July 20th) at 8:00 PM, three high-profile collectibles signed by star athletes will be auctioned on JD.com starting at 1 yuan , marking the start of a "final" in the world of collectibles.
A Messi 2026 FIFA World Cup player-edition autographed jersey – the official testament to the King of Football's World Cup legacy. With only 50 pieces available worldwide, this jersey boasts extreme rarity, featuring triple anti-counterfeiting authentication and a real photo of the autograph moment. Messi scored 8 goals in this World Cup, ranking second in the top scorers list. Previous auctions of similar items attracted over 110,000 viewers, with bids starting at just 1 yuan on JD.com. As Messi is likely to retire from the World Cup, the collectible value of this jersey will only increase.
The autographed Spanish national team jersey for the 2024 season worn by Yamar – a testament to the crowning achievement of a 19-year-old prodigy. In the final, he had 4 shots (2 on target), 9 dribbles (5 successful), and helped Spain win both the European Championship and the World Cup within two years. At 19 years and 7 days old, he reached the pinnacle of world football, becoming a leading figure in a new era. A direct confrontation between two generations of Barcelona's number 10s on the final stage – regardless of victory or defeat, this jersey has become a historical footnote to the transfer of power in football.
Signed football boots by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho – a collectible featuring two generations of Brazilian legends. The signature boots of "The Phenomenon" Ronaldo and "The Football Genius" Ronaldinho are combined, offering both nostalgia and rarity, making them an unmissable treasure for Brazilian football fans and vintage football collectors.
Three collectibles will be auctioned simultaneously, starting at just 1 yuan, tonight at 8 PM on JD Auction. Guess how much they'll fetch? Click the image below to reserve your spot and watch the auction >>
