Spain against Argentina. Two powerhouses are battling for the most prestigious trophy in world football.
Sunday’s World Cup final in East Rutherford, just outside of New York, has much more to offer than just the showdown between superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
Here, dpa takes a look at what speaks in favour of defending champions Spain and what speaks in favor of European champions Spain.
What can help Spain?
Defensive strength: Spain have conceded just one goal on their way to the final – in their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium. Prior to that, goalkeeper Unai Simón went 649 minutes without conceding a goal, setting a World Cup record.
Left back Marc Cucurella, in particular, stands out from the defensive unit as a tireless fighter. But his counterpart on the opposite flank, Pedro Porro, also has a major impact on the game and scored his first two international goals at this World Cup. This partinership helped Spain shut down France’s magical offence in the semi-finals.
Flexibility: Spain’s style of play is focused on possession and control, but that’s not all. One of the things that Luis de la Fuente’s team can do really well is to adapt to any situation, according to captain Rodri.
“We’re a very well-rounded team, and that’s why we’re here,” the midfielder emphasized. The 30-year-old expects an extremely physical match against Argentina.
If the Spanish team remains as composed as they have so far, however, they shouldn’t let any potential provocations from the South Americans throw them off their game.
Oyarzabal: Everyone’s talking about Messi and Yamal. But the Spanish team has another ace up their sleeve. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal has already scored five goals in this tournament – and he’s a specialist when it comes to finals.
The 29-year-old has scored in each of his six finals as a professional so far: with Real Sociedad in two Spanish Cup finals, with the national team in two Nations League finals, as well as the decisive goal in the 2024 European Championship final, and with the Olympic team in Tokyo five years ago. A remarkable record.
What can help Argentina?
Messi: Too old? Lionel Messi is apparently never too old. The 39-year-old is having an outstanding World Cup, with eight goals and four assists to his name.
He’s carrying this team, he’s carrying the entire nation. Sure, he takes his breaks on the pitch. But: He’s there when it counts. His team-mates look up to him and seek him out when things gets tough. That’s likely how it will be in the final, which will probably be Messi’s last World Cup match.
The game will also be his chance to retake the overall World Cup scoring record, which was taken by Kylian Mbappé as he scored two goals for France in the 6-4 defeat to England in the match for third place. Mbappé has 22 goals and Messi is one behind.
Mentality: The South Americans’ style of play thrives on emotion. They take the field with incredible heart and passion. The happy faces in the stands or back home is what inspires them, explained coach Lionel Scaloni.
That support helped Argentina to overcome several close calls during the tricky knock-out stage. They went into extra-time against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and saved themselves with late goals against Egypt and England. You can never count out the Albiceleste.
Experience: Spain are entering the tournament with the confidence of a European champion. However, Argentina’s roster still includes 17 members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad. Key players from the starting line-up that defeated France in the final in Qatar back then are once again playing crucial roles: goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, for example, superstar Messi, and striker Julián Álvarez.
Coach Scaloni is a true trophy collector: In addition to the World Cup trophy, Argentina have also won the Copa América twice (2021 and 2024) during his tenure.
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