Spain vs Argentina summary: Goals, score and highlights | World Cup final 2026

SPAIN ARE WORLD CUP WINNERS!!! THEIR SECOND STAR!!! AND NOW IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!! I'M WRAPPING UP. IT'S BEEN A FUN LAST FIVE WEEKS. SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS. IT'S TIME TO PARTY!!!

THE WORLD CUP WINNING GOAL SCORER FERRAN TORRES SPEAKS AFTER MAKING A MOMENT THAT WILL LIVE IN HIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY. 

SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HISTORY!!! THE STRETS OF MADRID AND BARCELONA AND ALL OVER SPAIN WILL BE PARTYING DEEP INTO THE NIGHT!!!

It was an ugly finish from the Argentinians. They went after some of the Spain players after losing the World Cup instead of just shaking hands and accepting defeat. They didn't offer anything in attack. They didn't have a shot, or a shot on goal for the first 100 minutes of the match. Spain played better, and they deserved to win. 

Giuliano Simeone was this close to drawing level off the corner kick but skiied his effort high of the cross bar. 

Once Spain went up in the extra time session, Argentina had to press. That's one thing they do well. When the pressure is on and the game is in the late stages, they thrive. They almost came up with an equalizer and sent it to penalties but Spain was able to scrape it off the front post and keep their seventh clean sheet in eight matches. It's a World Cup record for Spain who also conceded a record low one goal in the entire tournament. 

Ferran buried the second goal of the second extra time, but was called offside. It was close. It was not even looked at by VAR. Once the replay showed, it was offside, but just by a fraction. 

This was the moment Messi knew Argentina was in trouble. A historic World Cup career comes to what is likely a sad ending. After winning it four years ago, Messi got his team to the final but fell short of back to back glory. 

It was the 116th minute that Andres Iniesta won the World Cup in extra time over Netherlands sixteen years ago. This year it was Ferran Torres who came off the bench and won the game after another sub Nico Williams nodded the ball back for Ferran who blasted it past Dibu for the first and only goal of the game. 

Mikel Merino had two games winners in the knockout rounds and it looked like, he had a third game winner with this header. It was this close but he just missed the frame with this glancing effort. 

I'm not one to judge. I'm not one to make decisions or sway opinions. I'm just here to present facts, and evidence. This was the foul that erased the goal from Nico Williams. 

There has been some controversy over some favorable calls for Argentina throughout the World Cup. Had this gone differently today, a whole lot of people would have looked back at this play and wondered how this play wasn't reviewed. 

Time and time again it was Dibu coming up with save after save. You just got the feeling if Argentina could hold off until penalties Dibu would be the favorite to win it for the Albiceleste. 

Enzo Fernandez was sent off with time remaining in regulation time. It was a savage tackle on Marc Cubarsi from Enzo, and with a yellow card already to his name, that was it for him. 

He needed to be historic. He needed to be perfect and he nearly was. Nine saves, and it was almost enough to let him decide it in penalties. 

You could just sense that it was coming. Spain continued to press. Dibu fought back. He was the best on the pitch for the Argentines but he couldn't make every save. 

This was the defining moment in the game. Subs that Luis de la Fuente made in this World Cup made the difference. Merino came off the bench in two straight matches and scored two goals. Fabian scored a goal when he got the start. Ferran Torres comes off the bench and delivers the game winning goal in extra time. 

It wasn't just the game in New York/New Jersey it was the halftime show too. Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber performed, but that was just the side show. The real show was on the pitch and what a show it was from Spain. 

It was just an endless onslaught of Spanish possession. Chances were few and far between in the first half for the Spaniards but they were the only ones creating. They were the only ones able to possess and string together passes. Argentina looked overwhelmed from the start. 

Spain are champions of the world for the second time in their history. It was a dominant performance from start to finish. The controlled the game, they controlled the Argentinians. They controlled everything. They needed extra time. It was close, it was tight, it was tense but the better team won tonight. 

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS, SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!! THEY DOMINATED THE GAME. THEY DESERVED THE WIN. IT TOOK THEM EXTRA TIME, BUT THEY MADE IT HAPPEN!!! ESPAÑA ENHORABUENA!!!

FERRAN TORRES WILL GO DOWN IN SPANISH HISTORY!!! ANDRES INIESTA AND FERRAN TORRES!!! WORLD CUP HEROES!!! TODAY AND FOREVER!!! NICO NODDED IT BACK AND FERRAN TUCKED IT HOME!!!

THE 20TH OF JULY 2026 WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF SPAIN!!! IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD CUP!!! FERRAN TORRES!!! WINS IT FOR SPAIN!!!

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

SPAIN HAVE THEIR SECOND WORLD CUP STAR AFTER AN EXTRA TIME WINNER FROM FERRAN TORRES!!!

ARG trying to build something from the midfield but a foul on Simeone will give Spain possession back!

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!!

Low driven corner to the spot and Simeone turned on it and sent it a finger tip or two high of the frame!!!

Messi into the mix off the corner and it hung there for a second and finally got cleared by Spain for another corner. 

Free kick for ARG and Messi sends it short for Tagliafico who send it into the mix and Spain just got a touch on that ball and sent it inches wide of the target for a corner. 

ARG with their last push. Spain trying to hold on for another two minutes. 

Messi with a shot from outside the area and Merino takes it straight to the forehead. He blasted it and Merino took it like a champ!

Messi sends it into the area from the right side and Eric sends it out for a corner kick with the header. 

FERRAN ONE VS. ONE WITH A THE KEEPER AND HE TUCKS IT HOME FOR THE SECOND ONE, BUT THE FLAG GOES UP. NO VAR. NO WAIT. NO NOTHING UNBELIEVABLE. 

Remember Spain has only given up one goal at this World Cup. If they hold up for the rest of extra time it wouldn't just be a second World Cup, it would be history. Spain's 2010 team allowed a record low 2 goals when they won it 16 years. 

What Spain can't do now is sit back and defend. The urgency is there for Argentina, but Spain's back line is holding up like champs. 

It was a ball sent in from the far side to the near post for Lamine. He nodded it back for Ferran who took it out of the air a blasted it past Dibu!!!

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND 15 MINUTES OF THE EXTRA TIME SESSION. 

WE ARE AT THE BREAK HERE FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY! FIFTEEN MORE MINUTES FOR SOMEONE TO WIN IT. FIFTEEN MINUTES TO AVOID PENALTIES. 

Argentina with a push up the park but they aren't even trying to attack. They just want to give their defenders a chance to breathe a bit. 

THREE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME

Yellow card for Scaloni for protesting from the bench. 

Nico Williams opens up to the middle of the pitch, sends a ball to the head of Merino who skimmed the ball off his forehead and sent it inches wide of the back post. 

Lamine from outside the box on the one touch and that goes skiing high and wide. Have to make more of those chances. Can't force them with ARG playing for penalties. 

How this is a foul and how this isn't a goal for Spain is beyond me. No clue.

Zubimendi and Garcia in for Rordi and Laporte. 

Otamendi went down after what looked like nothing, Merino tapped the ball to the side where Nico was waiting to tuck it home. He slotted it home. But the ref brought the play back and took the goal off the board. 

NICO WITH THE TAP IN BUT IT'S BLOWN AWAY AFTER A FOUL CALLED SPAIN!!!

Nico with the slightest of touches on the header from the ball which was saved by Dibu again. Great ball from the right side rom Merino.

Thirty more minutes from New York/New Jersey and Argentina have to do it with a man down. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE FIRST EXTRA TIME SESSION. 

WE ARE AT THE END OF THE 90!!! EXTRA TIME!!! THIS WORLD CUP HAS BEEN SO GOOD, WHY NOT HAVE ANOTHER 30 MINUTES. 

Lamine got it over the wall and was looking to tuck it into the far post but Dibu was there to make the save. 

Ferran taken down by Paredes at the area and a dangerous free kick from the top of of the box. Could it be? Could they do it here?

ENZO IS GONE!!!! A TERRIBLY LATE CHALLENGE ON CUBARSI RESULTS IN A SECOND YELLOW CARD!!!! ARGENTINA WILL PLAY WITH A MAN DOWN THE REST OF THE WAY!!!

Free kick taken short and it was sent in from the right side but Unai wrapped it up. Nico on the counter from the right side a and he takes the shot on. Dibu made the save but had to punch it away. 

Messi had a head of steam and was taken down by Laporte who is shown a yellow card. First of the match for Spain. 

FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!!

Penetrating pass through the midfield for Rodri who took the shot on from distance and sent it well high of target. 

Ferran tries it off the half volley from the dink over the top from Merino and that tough effort goes glancing wide of goal. 

Nervy moments for Spain right now after dominating all game. 

This is when Argentina starts to scare teams. They haven't done anything. Literally nothing. But Spain have seen what they Argentina can do in the final minutes of a game. 

Corner taken short and Laporte gets a chance with a header off the cross by Williams and that was right at Dibu. 

Built up from the back, Spain finds Porro on the right side and his ball into the area is blocked off for a corner kick. 

TEN MINUTES TO GO FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY!!!

Corer kick to the back post from Williams and Cubarsi was the closest there but couldn't get a head to it. 

Cubarsi takes a shot on from distance and Dibu deals with it but left a chance for a rebound but no one was there. 

Spain working the ball around from side to side, and Pedri finds the space in the middle of the park to have a shot on goal but that was stopped again by Dibu. 

Williams and Merino in for Olmo and Baena.

Lamine Yamal with a hopeful ball more than anything to Ferran and it hasn't been his day. 

The subs seem to have activated Argentina. They didn't make anything of the attack but they strung together a couple of passes and looked like they had Spain a little uncomfortable. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE FINAL 20 MINUTES OF THE FINAL. 

Medina and Simeone out for Romero and de Paul.

HYDRATION BREAK FROM FINAL IN NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. 

Yamal to the front post and it's cleared away by Mac Allister but Yamal got it back and sent it into the area from the end line. Ferran got a head to it but sent the effort right into the belly of Dibu. 

Baena to the end line and sends it to the back post and Tagliafico had to nod it out for a header. 

Baena with the corner and Dibu got just enough on that to see it cleared away by Romero. 

Corner kick taken low and to the front post, it was sent away but only as far as Lamine who sent it in and Paredes had to head it away for another corner. 

Olmo with a half chance from the top of the area and Dibu struggled with that. The rebound bounces off his chest and goes out for a corner. 

`5 shots and 3 on goal for Spain, 0 shots and 0 shots on goal for Argentina. 

Ferran and Pedri in for Oyarzabal and Fabian. 

Yamal takes it and bangs it into the wall without any danger. 

Olmo taken down right outside the box and this is free kick chance for Lamine. 

Corner kick was taken short blown over the bar by Lamine on a cross into the area.

Olmo to the end line and he sends it back to the spot for Cucu but that was just blocked away by Enzo for a corner kick. One of the best build ups of the day for Spain. 

Another great chance for Spain, Oyarzabal running the counter down the middle of the park and instead of shooting it, he looked for the 1-2 with Olmo.

Spain is starting to push back after constantly being barraged with foul after foul. That might be what Argentina want. 

Rodri goes down after a collision with Paredes off the ball. He threw Olmo to the ground afterwards and that got him in the book but not the bump off the ball. 

Argentina are getting ready to make some subs. They have to find a way to be more dynamic up top. 

Terrible corner taken on the near side. Messi took it but that was never going to find anyone before curling over the touchline. 

Corner kick after Cucurella blocks off the ball into the box from Enzo. 

Spain come out of the break on the front foot and Baena opens up to the middle of park and lets a shot on goal but that was shave easily by Dibu. One of these is going to test him. He's not going to have this easy of a time for the rest of the game, Dibu. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!!

Back to football we go!

See now, that wasn't so bad, was it? Admit it, you had a little fun. 

All right, let's get back to the game. No more shenanigans.

Take it away, Dane!

The stage has been cleared. The players are on the pitch and the second half is about to start. 

PS22 Chorus sends message of love

A Webby Award-winning children's choir from Staten Island, New York, provided a beautiful song of love, the universal language alongside Coldplay's perfoemance.

In a divided world, the World Cup reminds us to unite. A lovely end to the tournament's first-ever halftime show!!

The Ghetto Kids from Uganda

Wondering who the dance troupe backing up Shakira and Burna Boy was?

They are the Ghetto Kids, a group of kids and teenagers from the impoverished neighborhoods of Kampala, Uganda. They originally shot to fame via viral street dance videos on TikTok and YouTube before reaching the finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2023. Chris Martin personally advocated for them to get this massive global spotlight.

Shakira has arrived, ladies and gents.

Let's be honest, this is what we've all been looking forward to. Even you hardcore anti-halftimers have to admit you turned up the volume just now.

If not, do so now! The Colombian is performing the World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” along with Burna Boy!

Fun fact about the Biebs

As he sings “Everything Hallelujah”, here's a fun fact about JB. 

Bieber has historically been a massive soccer fan, often seen training with professional clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea during past European tours.

Ted Lasso presents Justin Bieber!

A surprise appearance by Ted Lasso and Coach! 

Lasso's brought out Justin Bieber after giving him one of his famous Ted Lasso pep talks with a “Beliebe” sign. Awwww.

Global K-Pop juggernauts on the field

BTS has taken the field to perform their 2020 hit “Dynamite”!

Member Jungkook previously performed “Dreamers” at the 2022 opening ceremony in Qatar, but this is a massive milestone for the full ensemble on U.S. soil.

Seven-Nation Army performed by the Muppets!

As expected, the Muppets showed up alongside Madonna, performing The White Stripes' "Seven-Nation Army".

Madonna on the field!

This isn't Madonna's first massive sporting milestone. She famously headlined the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show in 2012, which set a viewing record at the time.

She was driven out of the tunnel by famous footballers Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Now, she's singing “Music” and taking the field with a group of dancers, looking as fresh as ever!

Muppet Mayhem on the pitch

In a bizarre twist meant to highlight the education fundraising element, characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets (including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy) are integrated directly into the live performance. If you see Miss Piggy standing next to Madonna on your monitor, it is completely intentional.

Marc Cucurella got his chance at goal but blew his effort just wide. Three shots for Spain, none for Argentina after the first half. That's good news for Spain, but bad news Spain if they can't materialize their chances. 

Oyarzabal got his shot from the top of the area, but was denied by Dibu. It's been one way traffic for most of the first half, but Spain still hasn't figured out a way to break down the back line. 

Coldplay's Chris Martin at the helm

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is serving as the official creative curator of the show, partnering directly with the advocacy group Global Citizen (which he has curated for since 2015).

Martin didn't just pick his friends for this show. He purposefully built a lineup representing nearly every major continent to mirror the global nature of the tournament (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa are all represented on stage). 

He also insisted that the show be tethered to a cause. The entire production is a fundraising driver for the newly minted FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for children's schooling and grassroots soccer access worldwide. 

There weren't many highlights to bring you from that first half, but the ones Spain did create, we will show you. 

IT'S TIME FOR THE WORLD CUP FINAL HALFTIME SHOW.. JEN, TAKE IT AWAY. 

It's HALFTIME!

All right, it's time, guys. HALF-time, that is. It's Jen here again to bring you all the live updates from the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show!

Let’s lay out how this is going to go. 

Unlike the Super Bowl, which stretches halftime to nearly 30 minutes, FIFA is keeping a tight leash. The actual musical performance will last exactly 11 minutes.  

To accommodate moving massive stages onto the pitch without ruining the turf for Spain and Argentina, FIFA has extended the traditional 15-minute halftime break to 17 minutes total. 

WE ARE AT THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY!!!

Not a whole lot happening in stoppage time. Like most of the first half, if not all, Spain have looked better but not capitalizing on that possession and few chances can cost you later on. 

FOUR MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!

Lisandro Martinez stays down after the play and he's is going to have to be subbed off. Otamendi comes in for the injured defender right before the end of the 45.

Cucurella winds up from the left side and slashes it across the face of goal just wide of the target! Dibu went for it, and was lucky to see that fly past the post. 

Porro was slipped in to the end line by Oyarzabal and he played a perfect ball to the back post that was begging to be deflected in, but no one was there. 

Oyarzabal taken down in the middle of the pitch by Martinez and finally the ref takes the card out of his pocket. First booking for either side.

Oyarzabal with the shot from outside the area. Olmo left the ball from Baena at the top of the box, and Oyarzabal took it from the top opf the D. 

Olmo with a ball into the box for Oyarzabal but that pass nodded away by Martinez. Spain looking a little more confident in the final third of the pitch. They have been controlling but failing on the final touch. They seem to be getting closer.

Rodri slips in Cucurella to the end line and he puts in a ball, low driven and to the front post but no one was there waiting for it. Flag goes up for offside on the Spain defender. 

Messi takes the long free kick short and Spain take back possession after a couple of seconds. Nothing happening for Argentina. 

Rodri takes down Mac Allister on the left touchline and this is going to be a rare chance for Argentina and Messi to do something in the attacking third. 

Baena with a nice move to the end line but his ball into the front post was chested down and cleared away by Romero. 

Yamal's ball into Olmo from the right touchline was a little too far out in front of the Blonde Spaniard. Spain are knocking but haven't broken down the wall at the back of the Argentina defense. 

Yamal taken down after a skillful move around Tagliafico and he dragged the winger down, but again, Argentina get away with no yellow card. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY AFTER THE BREAK!

Spain were looking the more comfortable. Argentina have more to correct coming out of this break. Let's see how both teams come out. 

Pssstttt....don't forget to get excited about halftime!

Hey! It's Jen again, taking advantage of the hydration break to kick off Dane for a second and remind you that I will be here to bring you all the halftime updates. Time to show the world how we do things in the U.S.

Please, don't cover us with your cumbia! We promise it can be fun! If nothing else…do it for Shakira.

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!

Baena's corner kick was a bit too tight to Dibu and he claims it out of the air. 

Cucurella earns a corner kick for Spain with a ball that was blocked off by Montiel. 

Messi with a ball in from the left side but that was cut away by Laporte. Spain are wrapping up Messi quite well at the moment. 

Spain have looked better, but that doesn't mean a whole lot with the match at 0-0 through 22 minutes. Argentina can strike in the blink of an eye. 

It's starting to get a little more phyiscal. Romero just send Baena to the ground as he looked to shield off the defender. Then Enzo got the follow through of a Olmo challenge off the throw in. 

Fantastic control from the right side by Lamine who sent it into the box and that was easily taken by Martinez. 

Free kick from the middle of the park and de Paul looks for Nico on the far post who was in space but that ball didn't drop for him. 

Olmo goes down off a challenge from Mac Allister, and that could have been a bookable offense. It's been clean a quarter of an hour, but that can change in a hurry.

Argentina hasn't done anything in their attacking half of the pitch. Spain are dominating possession, which isn't much of a surprise. 

Ball to the back post for Olmo off the corner and he took it down but took too long to put the shot on. 

Fabian sends the ball in for Olmo and it's sent away by Martinez corner coming. 

Just how tired is Argentina going to be coming into this game? They have played some tough, intense long matches in the knockout rounds. 

This was the first chance of the game. It came from Spain, and it was their main man with the chance. Olmo laid it off, and Yamal's shot had to be saved by Dibu.

This game is starting to open up on both sides. Spain don't want to get into a track meet. Argentina won't mind. 

Messi was sent in behind the defense but Unai Simon was high off his line and was just about able to clear it away. 

Yamal with the first chance of the game!!!! A ball into the box was deflected into the feet of Olmo, he laid it off for Yamal on the near post but his shot was blocked off by the Argentina back line. 

Niether Messi, nor Yamal have touched the ball just yet. Those are the two spark plugs for both teams. They don't need to find themselves in this match. They will create by themselves.

Very tentative play from both teams at the moment. That's to be expected. With the new hydration breaks, a lot of these matches don't start to open up under around the 30 minute mark. 

Argentina will come out looking to ruffle the feathers of Spain. They did it against England, and they know if they can get in their heads, they plays into their advantage. 

Spain isn't a team that is going to light up the scoreboard. They want to pass the ball around, possession and make the other team chase. 

Spain are going to want to dominate possession from the start. Argentina have struggled to get off to quick starts. Spain knows that and will be trying to use that to their advantage. 

THE WORLD CUP FINAL IS UNDERWAY FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY!!!

The best defense in the tournament taking on the best attacking team in the the World, and Messi. It's the dream final for FIFA. It's the dream match up for soccer fans everywhere. 

The Spanish Brass just played the Spanish National Anthem just played. Argentina's is coming now, and the heavy contingent of Argentinians are going to belt out the anthem here from New York/New Jersey. 

The teams are coming out of the tunnel and we are getting ready for both teams anthems. It's almost kickoff time from New York/New Jersey.

Madrid is rocking in the Plaza Colon. There are thousands of Spanish fans in the middle of the Spanish capital waiting to celebrate their second World Cup. 

World Cup 2026

How long will the World Cup final halftime show last? How much for singing?

Halftime Show

In the spirit of the US, and the Super Bowl tradition of a halftime show the  World Cup organizers have introduced a halftime show between the first and second half. Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS are going to take the stage and many purists of the game thought this would interrupt the flow of the game, but the good news is, the halftime show won't be as long as expected. Our Calum Roche has more.

Music

Flashback to Robbie Williams’ 2018 World Cup show performance in Russia and his middle finger to critics

We made it through this one vulgarity-free this time!

Jennifer Hundson just belted out the National Anthem. Now it's time for Robbie Williams and Nicole from the Pussycat dolls. Can't remember how to spell her last name, but they are singing the newest FIFA anthem “Desire”

Halftime update interruption!

Hi, everyone! It's Jen here, stealing the mic from my colleague, Dane, to let you know that I’ll be hopping on at halftime to give you all the updates from the first-ever World Cup halftime show. We’ve got Shakira and BurnaBoy, Madonna, BTS, JustinBieber, and GustavoDudamel coming up. We know this idea has been controversial to the fans outside the U.S., but give it a shot! It’s happening, like it or not, so may as well sit back and let yourself be entertained. 

World Cup 2026

FIFA to present World Cup championship rings: how much are they worth and what are they made of?

World Cup rings

FIFA has adopted more than a few American traditions since the kicking the World Cup on US soil. The winners of today's final, in very American spirit, will be taking home World Cup rings. They have been fashioned much like the championship rings we see in the NFL or the NBA. Our Pablo M. Fuentenebro and Aritz Gabilondo have more.

World Cup 2026

How rare is a back-to-back World Cup champion? The historical stats behind defending the title

Back to back champs

Lionel Messi are back in the World Cup final for the second time in four years. They are looking to do something that has only been done twice before in the history of the tournament. It's been sixty years since a team went back to back, and our William Allen has the scoop on back to back winners of the World Cup.

World Cup 2026 | Spain - Argentina

MetLife Stadium chaos: Journalists wait more than three hours to enter World Cup final

There was a major shake up at the ground of New York/New Jersey Stadium. Journalists had a nightmare of a time entering the ground before the final. Our David Nelson has more. 

World Cup 2026

What is Argentina’s record against Spain? All-time head-to-head record ahead of 2026 World Cup final

Overall record

Historically, these two teams couldn't be more evenly matched. When you look at the overall record you see this match up is dead even. This will be the 15th time these two giants of the game have met with Argentina having won six games, Spain have won six games and they have drawn twice. Our Jen Bubel has more.

The Comeback experts

Call them what you want. The Comeback Kids. The Avengers. What ever floats your boat, but this Argentina side have made a few hearts back home skip a beat or two over the last few weeks. The way they have been winning isn't the easiest, but it sure had been fun. A fantastic match against Cabo Verde that went to extra time, a two goal comeback on Egypt with a stoppage time winner, another extra time match against Switzerland, and a two goals after the 85th minute to complete a comeback over England. How much more do they have in the tank is one question? But how much more can we take in another?

Cup cake run for defending champs?

Finally Argentina had to play a team that was considered a “top” side in this tournament after a relatively breezy run through the group stages and the knockout stages. Before the England games, who were ranked fourth, they hadn't played a quality opponent in any of their matches. The FIFA World Rankings began in 1992 and since the 1994 World Cup, no team has reached a semifinal without playing a top 15 opponent. Argentina has played Algeria (28), Austria (24), Jordan (63), Cabo Verde (67), Egypt (29) and Switzerland (19) in this tournament. Call it the luck of the draw, but Argentina can only beat the teams that are put in their way to a second straight World Cup final. Today that team is Spain, ranked second in the world, behind Argentina.

Messi and Argentina are out on the pitch, getting ready for their second World Cup final in a row. 

Minutes piling up

It's not just the 39 year old Messi, but obviously as one of the older players entering the tournament you can’t help but wonder who much more is in the tank? After breezing through the group stages, it’s been a long and winding road for Argentina. They have had to play an hour more of extra time soccer, and in the two matches that didn’t go to extra time, they had to make late comebacks that had to take their tole. Messi has played in every minute of every game except when he started on the bench against Jordan. He has played 620 of the 680 that Argentina has played. Again, he’s not the only one that the minutes are starting to their their toll on, but he is the oldest one on the team.

World Cup 2026

Piqué relives 2010 and breaks down Spain–Argentina: “Messi is pure intelligence, and Spain must be more radical than ever in its style”

Our Miguel Angel Vasco sat down with Gerard Pique. The Barca defender won a World Cup with Spain, but says he'll be happy is Spain lose, for one reason. Here is the entire interview. 

Argentina are going with Nico Gonzalez on the wing instead of Simeone. That's the only change in the XI from the semifinal.

Spain is going with a pretty unsurprising XI for this World Cup final. It's Olmo and Fabian in the middle, which may have been the only doubts coming into today. 

Today's odds

We have been keeping track of the World Cup winner odds all tournament. Spain and France were the favorites coming into the World Cup. Argentina was in the mix, but they weren’t considered the front runners in the minds of the odds makers. After 103 games, we have just 90 minutes left. Perhaps 120. Spain comes into the final as the favorite to win, at (+125), while Argentina pays (+260) and a draw would get you a (+200) pay out.

FIFA Rankings

Taking a look the ever changing FIFA Rankings, we see Argentina has retaken the top spot. Heading into the semifinals, Argentina had dropped out of the top spot as France topped the ranking but that was short-lived after Spain beat them in the semis. After beating England in the semis, Argentina are back in the top spot with Spain sitting in second. France lost the third place game yesterday but they still sit third while England are fourth. The team that made the biggest jump up in the top 10, is Mexico who were eliminated by England and the round of 16.

STARTING XI: Argentina

We have the Argentina XI ready. While they haven't published it on their social media yet, we have got word that this will be Scaloni’s starting XI. It’s Dibu Martínez in goal with  Montiel, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico in the back. De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Nico González are in the middle with Messi, Julián Álvarez up top.

Last game: Argentina

Argentina looked like they were in trouble for the first 60 minutes of the semifinal against England. They spent most of the first hour of the match chasing, and creating very few chances. Right before the hour mark, Anthony Gordon tucked home the opener to put England up but then they would drop back and open the door for Argentina to mount an epic comeback. First it was Enzo Fernandez with the equalizer from outside the in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scored the stoppage time winner off Messi's second assist of the match to put Argentina back in the final for a second straight World Cup.

Spain's last game

The Spaniards took on big, bad France and their seemingly unstoppable front four, but the record setting defense of Spain locked down one of the best attacking teams in the world. Lamine Yamal drew a penalty on Lucas Digne after a shaky clearance from the defender and Mikel Oyarzabal tucked home the spot kick to put Spain in the lead in the 22nd minute. Mbappe, Dembele, Olisw and Doue were silenced by the Spain back line and Pedro Porro connected with Dani Olmo on a one-two and the defender slotted the second goal past the keeper as Spain punched their ticket to the World Cup final.