Spain are world champions once again!
After dominating Argentina for more than 90 minutes, Ferran Torres scored the goal that clinched a 1-0 win in one of the most lopsided finals in tournament history.
16 years after securing its first world title in South Africa, Spain joined an exclusive list of seven countries that have celebrated multiple titles on soccer’s biggest stage.
Spain also stretched its undefeated streak to 38 straight matches while becoming the third reigning European championship to secure a world title.
In many ways, we knew from the outset that the stage was set for Spain to seize its moment.
The pre-tournament favourite to lift the trophy at +450, Spain didn’t concede a single goal until the quarterfinals.
Underdogs for the first time versus France in the semis, Spain responded with a resounding 2-0 win in which they held Les Bleus to their lowest expected goal total on the world stage in 60 years.
While most of the betting public was on Argentina to win the final as the underdog at FanDuel, the number continued to move in Spain’s favour, climbing from -150 to -160 prior to kick-off.
Hopefully, you follow me on X @Domenic_Padula and celebrated one final footy best bet winner with me to end an epic tournament on a high note.
As I told you back in December, each of the previous 10 world champions were +1200 or shorter to lift the trophy pre-tournament.
With Spain, Argentina, France, and England all reaching the final four, that streak was guaranteed to continue.
As it turns out, it was Spain’s turn to wear the crown.
As this unforgettable tournament came to an end, I felt a wave of emotion that I didn’t expect.
We knew that it was going to be special, but I couldn’t have imagined it would have turned out like this.
For those who celebrated every win along the way with us, thank you for your support.
So, where do we go from here?
NFL training camps are getting underway, and we are only 52 days away from the start of the NFL regular season.
In the meantime, the CFL season has been every bit as good as advertised through the first seven weeks.
This week, we get a highly anticipated showdown between the defending Grey Cup champions and an opponent that is tied for the best record in the CFL entering Week 8.
Will that West Division showdown live up to the hype?
Let’s dive into the numbers in this Morning Coffee column for Monday July 20th, 2026.
Stage Is Set For CFL Week 8 Showdown Between Elks, Riders In Saskatchewan
The Edmonton Elks were expected to be an afterthought with the longest odds to win the Grey Cup at FanDuel entering Week 1 of the regular season.
Instead, they’ve won five of their first six games and have climbed from +1900 to +600 as the third choice to win the Grey Cup at FanDuel.
On Friday, I pointed to the fork in the road the Elks had arrived at following their 4-1 start.
A second loss to the BC Lions would raise doubts about whether their hot start was sustainable.
A win over the Lions would set the stage for an epic early-season home-and-home showdown with the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Fortunately for us all, Edmonton secured a 19-17 win over BC on Friday Night Football to improve to 5-1.
While Justin Rankin’s blistering start stole the spotlight entering Week 7, it was the Elks defence that made a statement in the win over the Lions.
Edmonton’s defence registered four interceptions and four sacks in the victory at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Elks defence leads the CFL with 20 takeaways.
Meanwhile, kicker Vincent Blanchard went 4-for-5 on his field goal attempts to save the day for an offence that stalled at times against BC.
Now the focus shifts to Week 8 and the first game of a home-and-home against a Saskatchewan side that should be fresh off its bye week.
The last time we saw them in action the Riders secured a completely dominant 38-7 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 6.
An Elks win in Week 7 left Saskatchewan a half-game back in the West Division standings, setting the stage for the first of a three-game season series that could have major implications for both teams.
Edmonton beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-18 in Week 4 and split its first two games against the Lions to start 2-1 against West Division opponents.
Now the Elks continue a brutal stretch of their schedule with a trip to Saskatchewan in Week 8, a home date with the Riders in Week 9, then a cross-country flight to face the Montreal Alouettes in Week 10.
Edmonton will play Saskatchewan three times this season, with one final regular season rematch set for Week 21.
The Elks also have a home-and-home against the rival Calgary Stampeders in September, as well as two more games versus Winnipeg in the West.
While some have already crowned Edmonton as the team to beat in the West Division, I’ll need to see them beat the reigning champions before I take that leap.
The Elks took an important step in the right direction with a narrow win over a Lions side that didn’t have its star quarterback Nathan Rourke available in Week 7.
A trip to Saskatchewan to face a rested and hungry opponent in the Riders will be a very different test.
Saskatchewan is a 3.5-point favourite at FanDuel.
Edmonton is +158 to pull off the upset win on the road.
The Elks’ odds to win the Grey Cup have been cut from +1900 to +600 as the third choice at FanDuel.
Their next three games are against the two teams that still have shorter odds to win it all at FanDuel.
Is Edmonton ready to prove it belongs in the same conversation as Saskatchewan and Montreal?
Because if they aren’t ready for the moment, it might not be long before the conversation shifts from the Elks as a surprise contender at 5-1 to a team that still isn’t ready for the spotlight at 5-4.
Have a great day, everyone!
