Argentina and Spain will battle it out in the 2026 World Cup final after Argentina’s impressive fightback victory over England in Atlanta on Wednesday evening.
It will be a historic clash and the first time the reigning continental champions of Europe and South America have met in a World Cup final. It also features the tournament’s two highest-ranked sides, with Argentina sitting top of the FIFA rankings and Spain second.
One of the ironies surrounding the final is that the Finalissima, which was due to take place earlier this year, was postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East. However, fate has now given football fans an even bigger occasion, with Argentina and Spain set to renew their rivalry in a clash for the World Cup title
The sides haven’t met since 2018. On that occasion, an Argentina side very much in transition were destroyed by Spain at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, suffering a 6-1 battering at the hands of La Roja.
Spain and Argentina have played seven times, with Spain narrowly edging the record with four victories to Argentina’s three.
The pair’s only meeting at a World Cup came in the 1966 World Cup at Villa Park, where Argentina enjoyed a 2-1 victory.
Argentina
Argentina’s route to the World Cup final in New Jersey has been far more chaotic than Spain’s. They narrowly beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time before coming back from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16.
Then, against Switzerland, a red card for Breel Embolo gave Argentina the initiative to go on and win the match. They did so, beating Switzerland after another difficult contest.
They then took on England, who scored through Anthony Gordon just after half-time before proceeding to sit back. Argentina pressed and pressed until they eventually found an equaliser, and then found the winner.
Rodrigo De Paul’s strike was too good for Jordan Pickford, while Lautaro Martínez’s header ensured Argentina would be playing in back-to-back World Cup finals.
In total, Argentina have conceded seven goals on their run to the final. Their opponents, Spain, have conceded just once.
Spain
After a frustrating 0-0 draw in their opening game against Cape Verde, Spain returned to winning ways with a 4-0 battering of Saudi Arabia, before narrowly defeating Uruguay to set up a tie with Austria in the round of 16.
Argentina’s knockout efforts have required late heroes and extra time; Spain’s route has been less nerve-jangling, but has included some late heroics, meaning fans were glued to World Cup live score apps.
A 3-0 victory over Austria showed they were simply too strong, before a 1-0 win over Portugal in an Iberian classic.
That was arguably Spain’s toughest game of the tournament as they edged it thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino.
In the quarters, they took on Belgium, with Fabián Ruiz opening the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere equalised. It would once again be that man, Merino, who stole the show for the Spanish with another late goal, in a match they pretty much dominated.
Then, in the semifinals, in what many expected to be a closer affair, Spain enjoyed a 2-0 victory over France. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before Pedro Porro made it 2-0 as La Roja booked their place in the final with an impressive display.
Spain will look to do something similar against Argentina as they aim to control possession and make it difficult for the opposition to create chances. It has worked throughout the tournament, balancing good attacking play with defensive resilience.
Spain’s elegant, rigid possession football will come up against Argentina’s tactical grit and emotional fire. It was something Lionel Scaloni’s side showed against England, where they balanced their game at different stages, allowing England possession before taking control themselves and putting the Three Lions under sustained pressure.
Messi vs Yamal
It would be hard to mention Spain versus Argentina without touching on Lionel Messi against Lamine Yamal.
Messi, at 39, is chasing back-to-back World Cup titles and hoping to win a fourth consecutive major trophy for the Albiceleste. He leads the tournament with eight goals and has taken his all-time World Cup tally to 21.
Of course, standing in his way is the 19-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who, during a UNICEF charity photoshoot in 2007, was famously pictured alongside Lionel Messi, is now set to face the Argentine icon in what has become a remarkable full-circle moment.
However, this final is about more than just Lamine Yamal versus Messi. It is Spain versus Argentina. It is Europe versus South America.
And with World Cup glory on the line, it promises to be a historic, exciting and intriguing battle.
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