Spain and Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as favorites to win the tournament; now the two teams will meet in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Spain sealed its spot in the final following a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday. Argentina clinched its spot with a 2-1 win over England at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.
For the first time in their careers, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi will face off on the international stage in a full-circle moment in football history.
After winning a charity raffle organized by Diario Sport and UNICEF, Lamine Yamal’s family earned a spot in a promotional photo shoot with a young Lionel Messi. The photo went viral after Yamal’s father shared it following the 2024 Euros. Almost 20 years after that photo shoot, the baby from the photo and the legend himself are destined to face off on the international stage.
Here’s everything to know about Spain vs. Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final:
Spain’s Path To The Final
Following a scoreless draw against Cape Verde to open group stage play, Spain has won six straight and neutralized each of its opponents in the knockout rounds.
Spain routed Austria 3-0 in the round of 32, followed by a 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16 to send Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. packing.
Spain finally conceded, but Mikel Marino scored his second winning goal in as many games in a 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal win over Belgium also saw the only goal Spain conceded over the course of the tournament.
Argentina maintained a perfect record prior to the final, but it has been far from easy for the defending world champions.
Argentina began the tournament in Group J with routs over Algeria and Austria, capped off by a 3-1 win over Jordan. Argentina then narrowly advanced through the knockout stage with a 3-2 win against Cape Verde in extra time in the round of 32, a 3-2 victory over Egypt in the round of 16, and a 3-1 overtime win against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Argentina earned its place in the final by defeating England [insert score] nas semifinais na quarta-feira.
Principais jogadores
Lamine Yamal pode não aparecer na súmula de sua primeira campanha na Copa do Mundo. Depois de marcar um gol na vitória da Espanha por 4 a 0 sobre a Arábia Saudita na fase de grupos, Yamal não marcou gols nas partidas subsequentes, um contraste com sua forma na Euro 2024 e na UEFA Nations League de 2025.
No entanto, Yamal tem mostrado sinais de progressão desde que regressou de uma lesão numa coxa sofrida antes do torneio e ainda é uma grande parte do ataque da Espanha. “Cada vez que ele pega a bola, há um medo real na seleção francesa”, disse Landon Donovan após sua atuação nas semifinais.
Se Yamal continuar a inspirar medo nos defensores na final, a Espanha terá uma grande oportunidade de erguer o troféu no domingo.
Lionel Messi
Atacante · Argentina
Lionel Messi continuou a quebrar recordes naquela que é a sua sexta participação em Copas do Mundo. Messi lidera o torneio com oito gols, totalizando 21 em sua carreira, tornando-o o maior artilheiro de todos os tempos na história da Copa do Mundo. Messi conseguiu duas assistências contra a Inglaterra.
Como assistir Espanha x Argentina
Quando: Domingo, 19 de julho, 15h (horário do leste dos EUA)
Onde: Estádio de Nova York e Nova Jersey
Televisão: FOX
