24 articles
Spain's 1-0 win in extra time cost Argentina the trophy, but thousands still poured into the Obelisco to thank a side that reached back-to-back finals and, most believe, to say goodbye to Messi at a World Cup.
The Inter captain is back in Milan after Argentina's final defeat to Spain, and with Serie A kicking off on 23 August, the World Cup's leading men are filtering home to clubs that spent the summer watching.
Spain beat Argentina in the final, but Messi has still not announced whether he is done with the national team. Here is what is actually confirmed about the 39-year-old's international future, and what is not.
Ferran Torres settled a tense final in extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 for a second world title, their first since 2010. With a squad this young, the double under De la Fuente feels like a beginning.
The Spain goalkeeper barely had a save to make in Sunday's final, yet the Golden Glove is his. Behind a World Cup built on defensive discipline, Unai Simon completes his country's clean sweep of the individual prizes.
Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Luis de la Fuente's side add the World Cup to their European crown, with Lamine Yamal a champion at 19.
Argentina came to defend their crown and left without a single shot on target. Spain won 1-0 after extra time, and Lionel Messi's likely last World Cup ended without the trophy and without the Golden Boot, lost to Kylian Mbappe.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win a second World Cup, and the data was brutal: 65% possession, 762 passes to 358, and 12 shots on target to none. Ferran Torres decided it in the 106th minute.
Spain kept the ball, closed every gap and left the holders without a single shot on target. A tactical breakdown of how de la Fuente's side controlled the final and starved Messi.
Luis de la Fuente's side beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium, Ferran Torres finishing off a Nico Williams header to seal Spain's second world title and a Euro and World Cup double.
While Lamine Yamal soaks up the headlines, Oyarzabal arrives at the World Cup final as Spain's top scorer with five goals and the penalty that saw off France. Argentina's defence would be unwise to lose sight of him.
Argentina meet Spain at MetLife on Sunday with far more than the World Cup at stake. Messi can start a third final, and the holders aim for something no team has managed since Brazil in 1962.
Rodri has run this World Cup from deep, the pulse at the heart of everything Spain do. Argentina know it. Ahead of the final at MetLife, the fight to disrupt Spain's metronome may settle everything.
No host nation, no England, and still the planet has adopted this one. Spain against Argentina is the World Cup final the neutrals claimed as their own: Messi's farewell, Yamal's coronation, and a Golden Boot still up for grabs.
Argentina face Spain in the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Here is the kick-off time wherever you are, how to watch, and what the models make of it.
Lionel Messi, 39 and playing what is widely expected to be his final World Cup match, leads Argentina against reigning European champions Spain at MetLife Stadium today. Kickoff is 3pm ET, 8pm in the UK.
The Spain vs Argentina stats behind Sunday's World Cup final: Spain have conceded one goal all tournament, Argentina have won three knockout ties in extra time, and Messi arrives on eight goals. Here is the form guide.
The Spain vs Argentina head to head is dead level after 14 meetings, six wins each and two draws, yet only one was ever competitive. Here is the full record and history before Sunday's World Cup final.
Spain vs Argentina predicted lineups for the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife: the likely starting XIs, both formations and the latest on Yamal, Porro and Messi before the team sheets drop.
Our Spain vs Argentina prediction for the 2026 World Cup final: Spain are the bookmakers' favourites and Argentina the holders chasing back-to-back. We weigh the odds, the form and the case for both before MetLife.
Spain vs Argentina how to watch guide for the World Cup 2026 final: kick-off is 3pm ET, 8pm BST on Sunday 19 July at MetLife, free on FOX, Telemundo, BBC and ITV.
Spain and Argentina meet at MetLife on Sunday, and the sharpest duel may be between the two goalkeepers: the record-breaking wall against the loudest showman in the shootout business.
Before either man reached a World Cup final, Scaloni sat in de la Fuente's coaching course in Las Rozas. On Sunday at MetLife, instructor and student meet with the game's biggest prize between them.
Sunday's final at MetLife is the first ever between Spain and Argentina: the tournament's tightest defence against Messi's Argentina, and a 19-year link between the 39-year-old and Lamine Yamal.
