The World Cup final brings together two formidable teams, Argentina and Spain, each known for their distinct styles. Lionel Messi leads Argentina, a team historically renowned for its offensive prowess. On the other side, Spain boasts the strongest defense in the tournament. The match will take place on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Spain secured its spot in the final by defeating France in the semifinal. Argentina, known for its comebacks in this tournament, overcame England with a 2-1 victory. Argentina aims for its fourth World Cup title and seeks to be the first team to win consecutive championships since Brazil achieved this in 1958 and 1962. Spain pursues its second title, having won previously in 2010.
Argentina leads the tournament in goals scored with 19, while Spain has conceded the fewest, allowing only one goal. The final marks the conclusion of the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The match is not the Finalissima, which was planned as a preliminary face-off between Argentina and Spain led by Messi and Lamine Yamal. Security concerns, due to unrest in the Middle East, led to the cancellation of the game that was to be held in Doha, Qatar. Instead, the teams will face off near New York, both ranked at the top in FIFA’s standings—Argentina at No. 1 and Spain at No. 2.
Lamine Yamal, a star for Barcelona, first crossed paths with Messi in 2007 during a UNICEF event, making their upcoming match a reunion of sorts. Their journey from a photo together to competing in the World Cup final is a remarkable narrative.
Spain’s Journey to the Final
- Record: Six wins, one draw, no losses.
- Goals scored: 13.
- Goals conceded: 1.
- Group stage: Drew with Cape Verde 0-0, beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, beat Uruguay 1-0.
- Knockout stage: Beat Austria 3-0, beat Portugal 1-0, beat Belgium 2-1, beat France 2-0.
Argentina’s Journey to the Final
- Record: Seven wins, no draws, no losses.
- Goals scored: 19.
- Goals conceded: 7.
- Group stage: Beat Algeria 3-0, beat Austria 2-0, beat Jordan 3-1.
- Knockout stage: Beat Cape Verde 3-2, beat Egypt 3-2, beat Switzerland 3-1, beat England 2-1.
Both Teams on Streaks
Spain enters the final with a 37-match unbeaten streak across competitions, including 28 wins and nine draws, not losing since March 2024 against Colombia. Argentina is unbeaten in its last 13 World Cup matches, boasting 11 wins and two draws since its loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022 group play.
Odds
Spain is favored at +120 over Argentina at +275, with the odds for a draw set at +200. These numbers might change as the final approaches.