Nico Williams put Spain ahead in the 96th minute of extra time during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, only for the referee to swiftly rule out the stunning goal, a moment that sparked outrage across the globe. Spain and Argentina were deadlocked after 90 minutes at MetLife Stadium, making every single extra-time play monumental. So when Williams found the back of the net, it felt like the game winner, but the jubilation was short-lived.
The Call Everyone’s Talking About
The official explanation for wiping Williams’ goal off the scoreboard was that Mikel Merino stepped on the foot of Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up. Seriously? Most fans who saw it couldn’t believe it, saying it wasn’t an obvious foul at all. It felt like a phantom call in the biggest game of the year, a decision that could have completely flipped the script for Spain. This wasn’t some minor league game, this was the World Cup final, and a controversial call like that just hits different. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was one of many who couldn’t hold back, hitting X to express his disbelief.
Portnoy Unleashes on the Ref, Spain Secures the Win
“That was a brutal call taking that goal away. Brutal,” Portnoy wrote on X, and honestly, can you blame him? It really felt like Nico Williams deserved the honor of scoring the actual game-winning goal in a World Cup final. Even with the controversial call, Spain kept pushing. They were rewarded for their relentless attack when Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute. Torres managed to get past Argentina’s goalie, Emiliano Martinez, who had an insane 11 saves during the final. That’s a record, by the way! Spain ultimately took home the trophy, but that disallowed goal will definitely be one of the most debated moments of the tournament.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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