Nigeria, July 20 -- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted Spain deserved to be crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions after La Albiceleste's dream of retaining the trophy ended with a heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat in Sunday's final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain's hero, striking in the second period of extra time to finally break the hearts and resistance of a 10-man Argentina side, handing La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title.

The defeat ended Argentina's bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, with captain Lionel Messi very ordinary in the Final.

Speaking after the final whistle, Scaloni acknowledged that Spain had been t...