Title-holders Argentina face challengers Spain in a star-studded 2026 FIFA World Cup remaining, because the 39-day spectacle prepares for its closing act.
Sunday’s showdown in New Jersey will stage a unique battle, pitting the match’s finest assault in opposition to the very best defence – Argentina have scored essentially the most targets (19); Spain have conceded the fewest (one).
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The ultimate additionally brings collectively the champions of South America and Europe on the World Cup for the primary time in 60 years.
And, to make issues extra particular, it marks a conflict of generations: Spain’s 19-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal going through his childhood hero, Argentina’s 39-year-old Lionel Messi.
Right here’s all to find out about Spain vs Argentina:
What’s the winner prediction for Spain vs Argentina?
The Opta supercomputer predicts Spain have a 59.46 p.c likelihood of profitable the 2026 World Cup, whereas Argentina have a 40.54 p.c chance of retaining the title they gained in 2022.
The place will the World Cup remaining be performed?
The World Cup remaining shall be performed at MetLife Stadium, residence to 2 Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) groups: the New York Giants and the New York Jets. For the FIFA World Cup, the venue has briefly been rebadged as New York-New Jersey Stadium.
Inbuilt 2010, this big multipurpose stadium holds as much as 82,500 spectators for soccer matches. The venue additionally hosted the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup remaining and each semifinals.
Spain vs Argentina: Head-to-head
- Matches: 16
- Spain wins: 6
- Argentina wins: 6
- Attracts: 2
Spain vs Argentina: Final 5 matches
(All friendlies)
- Spain 6-1 Argentina (March 2018)
- Argentina 4-1 Spain (September 2010)
- Spain 2-1 Argentina (November 2009)
- Spain 2-1 Argentina (11 October 2006)
- Spain 0-2 Argentina (November 1999)
Have Spain and Argentina ever performed on the World Cup?
Sure, however simply as soon as.
They met in a gaggle match on the 1966 World Cup in England, with Argentina beating Spain 2-1.
Spain had been knocked out within the group stage of that match, whereas Argentina bowed out within the quarterfinals.
Spain and Argentina: Trophies
Spain have gained the World Cup as soon as, in 2010, whereas Argentina are three-time winners: 1978, 1986 and 2022.
On the continental stage, Spain are document four-time European champions (1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024), whereas Argentina are document 16-time winners of South America, with their newest Copa America title coming in 2024.
Who’re Spain’s key gamers?
Mikel Oyarzabal has been Spain’s prime scorer at this World Cup with 5 targets, together with one of their semifinal win over France. Rodri has been a significant presence in Spain’s midfield, finishing essentially the most passes (648) within the match.
Teen sensation Yamal, enjoying within the match after an damage, has not proven his regular magic but, however is all the time a risk on the fitting wing.
Who’re Argentina’s key gamers?
Messi is the outright hero of the crew, main by eight targets and 4 assists, which additionally makes him the frontrunner for the Golden Boot.
Messi scored in each match up till the spherical of 16, and his assists set them up for fulfillment within the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Lautaro Martinez (three targets) and Enzo Fernandez (two) have additionally performed a task in Argentina’s attacking masterclass.
What have the gamers or coaches mentioned?
Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s head coach: “I imagine that each Spain and Argentina can have a recreation plan the place expertise and good soccer will rule over all the things else.”
Rodri, Spain’s captain: “This crew and this technology had been going to make a reputation for themselves… and now reaching the ultimate of a World Cup. So we’re happy with the journey the crew has taken, however we’re not stopping there; our ambition goes a lot additional.”
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s head coach: “It fills me with delight as a result of he [Messi] is the very best participant within the historical past of soccer. To have been in a position to get to a remaining in the way in which that he has on this second, on the age of 39, I believe it’s unimaginable.”
Emi Martinez, Argentina’s goalkeeper: “Truthfully, generally I cry to myself serious about what we’ve got achieved. I’m simply attempting to benefit from the second. As a result of generally, as footballers, you don’t actually realise the place you might be in your profession. My message to my teammates is that they need to take pleasure in this second, put together with a smile on our faces. That is one thing we are going to bear in mind perpetually.”
What occurs if the ultimate match ends in a draw?
If a match is stage on the finish of regular enjoying time, further time of two intervals of quarter-hour every shall be performed. If nonetheless tied, the match shall be determined by a penalty shootout.
