23 articles
Spain won the World Cup and Rodri took the Golden Ball, yet the bookmakers make Harry Kane the Ballon d'Or 2026 favourite ahead of Lamine Yamal. Where the race stands, and why the ceremony leaves Paris for London.
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 19-year-old Barcelona centre-back saw off his own teammate Lamine Yamal to be named the World Cup's best young player, the reward for a defence that barely gave Argentina a sniff in the final.
The day after Spain beat Argentina to win the World Cup, the 19-year-old tops the post-final power rankings for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, placed ahead of Messi, Kane, Dembele and Mbappe.
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.
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.
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.
Spain's teenage forward walks out at MetLife on Sunday against the childhood hero he idolised. At 19, Lamine Yamal is about to become the third-youngest player ever to grace a World Cup final.
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.
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.
France and Spain meet in the first World Cup 2026 semi-final in Arlington on Tuesday, a rerun of the Euro 2024 last four, with a place in the final on the line.
France and Spain meet in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas on Tuesday, only the second time they have crossed paths at a World Cup. Their recent knockout history, from Zinedine Zidane's 2006 masterclass to Lamine Yamal's rise, points firmly one way.
Lamine Yamal blows out 19 candles on 13 July, a day before Spain meet France in the World Cup semi-final. He has a habit of turning up against them on the big stage, even if this tournament has been quieter than his last two.
For the third tournament running, France run into Spain in the knockout rounds, this time in the last four in Dallas on 14 July. Twice Lamine Yamal has settled it. Deschamps has one more go at breaking the spell.
A 41-year-old icon and a 19-year-old phenomenon headline Portugal against an unbeaten Spain in Arlington, with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
How Barcelona turned a La Masia core, a few shrewd loans and a stretched salary budget into consecutive La Liga titles, and where the squad still looks vulnerable.
Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou knowing a win seals back-to-back La Liga titles - the form, tactics and stakes behind a Clásico with the championship on the line.
