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The 2026 World Cup Final will be remembered for Ferran Torres’ last-gasp goal and Enzo Fernández’s red card, but the real emotional earthquake came from Marc Cucurella. Just minutes before kickoff at MetLife Stadium, Cucurella knelt down and buried a coin in the grass—repeating the good-luck ritual that brought Spain glory in South Africa 16 years ago.
This wasn’t some random act or last-minute whim. It was a direct request from Joan Capdevila, the legendary left-back who performed the same superstition before the 2010 final against the Netherlands. Capdevila, who finally made it to New York after a visa saga, asked Cucurella to repeat the gesture and bring some magic to the Spanish squad. “Back in 2010, I buried a coin in the pitch before the final... I’ve told this story a million times. I asked Cucurella to do the same yesterday... Marc, I love you. YOU’RE A WORLD CHAMPION!” Capdevila posted on social media after the match.
The moment was caught on video: Cucurella, looking dead serious and carrying the hopes of a nation, pulled the coin from his sock and pressed it into the turf on the left wing. Capdevila, watching from the stands, couldn’t hold back: “He did it, kid, he did it!” he shouted, filming the moment that many now believe sealed Spain’s fate.
The Power of Superstition: Spain’s Lucky Coin in the 2026 Final
This coin story isn’t just a locker room anecdote. For the Spanish national team, this ritual became a symbol of continuity, mystique, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of pressure. Coach Luis de la Fuente brought his squad into the final riding a jaw-dropping 38-game unbeaten streak, with a chance to cap off a golden era after winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024.
Cucurella’s gesture was the cherry on top of a whole sundae of Spanish superstitions. Capdevila himself, joined by Marcos Senna, flew to New York to witness the ritual and pass on the energy of the 2010 champions. That coin, buried just before the opening whistle, became the invisible lucky charm behind every tackle, every clearance, and every Spanish attack.
The pressure was off the charts: facing Argentina, with Lionel Messi watching from the stands and a hungry new generation out for revenge. But luck—or maybe just belief in the ritual—tipped the scales. Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the net in the 106th minute, sending Spain into ecstasy and proving that the lucky coin had done its job.
The Ritual, the Win, and the Coin’s Return
After the final whistle and Spain’s coronation as two-time world champions, Cucurella didn’t forget the most important detail: he went back to the exact spot where he buried the coin and dug it up, closing the circle of superstition. The images went viral, with Capdevila celebrating from afar and Spanish fans convinced that football magic is real.
The coin ritual is now part of FIFA World Cup legend. Not just for the historical coincidence, but because it connects generations, passes down traditions, and proves that little details can make a big difference on the world’s biggest stage. For Cucurella, it was more than a superstition—it was an act of faith, a nod to history, and a promise to the jersey.
Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in extra time didn’t just seal a golden era—it showed that in soccer, mystique and rituals are alive and kicking. MetLife Stadium witnessed how a simple coin can carry the weight of history and change the destiny of a World Cup final.
FAQ: Everything You Want to Know About Cucurella’s Coin Ritual
Why did Cucurella bury a coin before the final?
It was a request from 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila, who did the same thing before the South Africa final. The idea? Bring good luck and repeat the magic.
Where did Cucurella bury the coin?
He buried it on the left wing at MetLife Stadium, just minutes before kickoff against Argentina.
Did Cucurella get the coin back after the match?
Yes! After the celebrations, Cucurella returned to the pitch to retrieve the coin, closing the superstition loop.
What did Joan Capdevila say about the ritual?
Capdevila posted: “Back in 2010, I buried a coin in the pitch before the final... I asked Cucurella to do the same yesterday... Marc, I love you. YOU’RE A WORLD CHAMPION!”
Has Spain done other rituals before big finals?
The Spanish team is known for its superstitions, but the coin story is now the most famous—and, after two World Cup titles, the most effective!
