The FIFA World Cup 2026 finally came to an end with Spain securing its second title by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final at New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Ferran Torres smashed in the winning goal in the 106th minute to end Lionel Messi-led Argentina’s dreams of defending their title.
With the number of teams being increased to 48 for the tournament in North America, fans were able to witness 40 more matches than in the previous edition in Qatar. And hence, the back of the net was found 308 times, smashing the record of 172 set in 2022.
Take a look at Sportstar’s picks for the top goals of the FIFA World Cup 2026:
Sidny Lopes Cabral of Cape Verde scores his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Argentina. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Cape Verde exceeded all expectations when it got out of the group stage after holding Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws. But its knockout showdown against Argentina was predicted to be a one-sided affair, but the island nation took the game into extra time before the defending champion took the lead again.
But Cape Verde levelled things up, and it required something absolutely special as in the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a stunning curler from the left edge of the box into the top right corner, which quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the tournament. Argentina, however, went on to win the game 3-2 with Diney scoring an own goal in the 111th minute.
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou dives in vain as Wilson Isidor of Haiti scores his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Haiti may have bowed out of the tournament without a single win, but Wilson Isidor gave its fans a moment to cherish when he smashed home the ball from distance to beat Yassine Bounou and give his side a short-lived lead.
However, Morocco ended up mounting a comeback and won 4-2.
England's Harry Kane scores his side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against DR Congo. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Harry Kane came into the tournament on the back of a terrific season where he found the back of the net 61 times for Bayern Munich. And the 32-year-old’s skill was on show in North America as well, best exemplified by his strike against DR Congo in the first round of the knockout stage.
After going down in the seventh minute, he brought the Three Lions back into the game with a header in the 75th minute. But he saved his best for the winner 11 minutes later, after he turned away from his marker to get into the box before flashing his leg at the ball while off-balance and still managing to find the back of the net.
Argentina's Lionel Messi scores his side’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match against Algeria. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
There was a lot of talk regarding whether Lionel Messi would be at his best as Argentina came into the World Cup as the defending champion.
However, it took the 39-year-old just 17 minutes to silence the doubters as he received a line-breaking pass from Rodrigo De Paul before carrying the ball to the edge of the box and curling it past Luca Zidane.
He went on to score two more on the night and complete a hat-trick.
Norway's Erling Haaland scores his side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Brazil. | Photo Credit: AP
Erling Haaland had the ultimate debut World Cup for Norway, with his best showing coming against five-time champion Brazil. The 25-year-old got on the scoresheet twice as the Nordic nation caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in its first Finals appearance in 28 years.
His first of the match was a routine header from close range but what made headlines was what turned out to be the winner. Haaland walked to the edge of the box, received the ball before steering a thumping low shot through Danilo’s legs and into the bottom right corner, past a diving Alisson.
Argentina's Julian Alvarez scores his side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Switzerland. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
A lot of expectation was on Julian Alvarez as he came into the tournament with defending Argentina, but injuries hampered his performance for the large part in the World Cup.
However, he found the perfect time to end his drought and what a strike it was.
After being frustrated by a 10-man Switzerland side for more than 40 odd minutes in the quarterfinal, the Atletico Madrid forward received the ball on the edge of the box and wrapped his foot around it to curl it into the top right corner in the 112th minute to take the lead.
Argentina went onto score one more in stoppage time with Lautaro Martinez finding the back of the net after catching the opposition out of shape.
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Published on Jul 20, 2026