Argentina and Spain set for World Cup final
The World Cup final is set to feature Argentina, the defending champions, against Spain. The match will take place on Sunday, bringing together two prominent national teams. Lionel Messi and Argentina will face a Spain squad that has maintained an unbeaten streak of 37 consecutive matches since early 2024.
For Spain, this final presents an opportunity to secure a second World Cup title, adding to their 2010 victory, and to solidify their position as a dominant force in football. Argentina aims to become the first team to win back-to-back men’s World Cup titles since Pele and Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962. For Messi, the match could mark a significant conclusion to what he has indicated will be his final campaign with the national team.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain‘s coach, described the upcoming final as a “great show” between “two superteams” that share similarities in attitude and player talent. He has guided his team to a 28-0-9 record during their unbeaten run. The matchup is seen by many as a clash between one of the sport’s best players and a highly dominant team.
Tactical approaches and key players
Spain‘s playing style, characterized by patience and ball retention, has been a hallmark since Vicente del Bosque took over as manager in 2008. Luis de la Fuente has revitalized this juego de posición model. Their average possession in the tournament has been 64%, indicating a strong emphasis on controlling the ball.
In contrast, Argentina under coach Lionel Scaloni has consciously worked to restore a more traditional Argentinian game, focusing on short passing rather than physicality in terms of longer passes or bigger forwards. Analyst Matías Manna highlights midfielder Leandro Paredes as a crucial presence, noting his ability to win the ball and defend, as well as his role in connecting with inside players and finding Messi between the lines.
The final is expected to be a classic encounter between a process-driven team and a side riding an emotional wave. Argentina‘s greatest strength under Scaloni is their unity and shared purpose, particularly in their aim to secure a second World Cup for Messi. The team’s late surges, often inspired by Messi, have been a defining characteristic in the knockout stages.
One tactical consideration for Argentina could be to disrupt Spain‘s midfield rhythm, potentially involving Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernández in a man-to-man marking role against Rodri, who acts as a key orchestrator in the Spain midfield. Cape Verde and Egypt previously highlighted Argentina‘s vulnerability to pace, though this is not considered a primary strength of Spain in this tournament due to injuries.
Spain‘s Nico Williams, a significant force in previous Euros, has been limited to substitute appearances, while Álex Baena, a central creator, has been filling in on the flank. Lamine Yamal, who entered the tournament with a hamstring issue, has been improving but has not yet reached his peak performance.
Historical context and final stakes
The history between Messi and Spain is notable, given that Messi, born in Argentina, spent much of his youth and club career in Spain. Despite attempts by Spain to recruit him, he remained committed to Argentina. Their last encounter was a friendly in 2010, where Argentina defeated the then-reigning World Cup champions.
This final carries immense pressure. For Argentina, it is likely the conclusion of the Messi era with the national team. Scaloni has referred to Messi as “the best footballer that the world has seen” and a “legend.” Messi had briefly retired from the national team in 2016 after a Copa América final loss, but his return led to a period of success, including Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 World Cup.
Spain is also pursuing history, entering the final as favorites. They have conceded only one goal in their first seven matches of the tournament and have not trailed at any point. This defensive record places them in contention to surpass the achievements of past World Cup winners like Spain in 2010, Italy in 2006, and France in 1998, all of whom conceded two goals in their respective tournaments.
Spain captain Rodri acknowledged Argentina‘s strength beyond Messi, describing them as a “very complete team with top players.” He emphasized that both teams are strong collectively. The 104th and final match of the World Cup will conclude on Sunday.
Source: theguardian.com
