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.
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.
Forbes now values Lionel Messi at around $1.1bn, putting him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only footballers near the billion mark. Other estimates run lower. Here is how he got there.
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.
England led for an hour in Atlanta and were minutes from a first World Cup final since 1966. Then Enzo Fernandez levelled, Lautaro Martinez headed the winner, and Messi set up both.
Twenty-one years an Argentina international and Lionel Messi has never faced England. He gets his chance in Atlanta on Wednesday, at 39 and with the record already his, and a place in Spain's final on the line.
Four decades on from the Hand of God, England and Argentina renew football's most loaded rivalry in Atlanta on Wednesday, and this time Lionel Messi walks out against England for the first time.
The reigning champions meet England in Atlanta on 15 July, and for Lionel Messi, widely reported to be at his last World Cup, one more win puts another final within reach.
England chase a first World Cup final since 1966 when they meet Argentina and a probably departing Lionel Messi in Wednesday's semi-final in Atlanta.
Julian Alvarez's 25-yard strike in extra time broke Swiss resistance in Kansas City as the defending champions booked a last-four meeting with England.
Argentina are heavy favourites and unbeaten in seven meetings, but Switzerland arrive without a single deficit all tournament and a defence Colombia could not crack. Here is where the last-eight tie will be decided, and why the goals market is tempting.
Every serious signal in Kansas City points to the holders: the bookmakers, Opta and a lopsided betting market. Yet Argentina's shaky knockout defence and a Swiss side that has not trailed all tournament keep this quarter-final honest.
The Swiss are into a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1954, but a knee injury to 20-year-old Johan Manzambi leaves Murat Yakin's side facing the holders in Kansas City without their breakout star.
Lionel Messi scored and assisted as defending champions Argentina came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland, a night on which the 39-year-old set fresh all-time marks in what is widely reported to be his final tournament.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are locked together on seven goals apiece as the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race turns into the tournament's defining storyline.
Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi's record, Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first knockout goal at 39, and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi becomes the youngest player with five goal involvements since Pele.
Kylian Mbappe has matched Lionel Messi's tournament-leading goal tally at the 2026 World Cup while breaking Ronaldo's all-time record and Haaland hunts from behind.
Cape Verde reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time and now face Lionel Messi's Argentina in a Round of 32 David vs Goliath showdown.
Lionel Messi scored six times in Group J, including a hat-trick against Algeria, to reach 19 career World Cup goals and lift defending champions Argentina to second in the post-group-stage power rankings.
