The World Cup final is set for a showdown between potent offense and formidable defense. Lionel Messi, the top goal scorer in the tournament’s history, leads defending champion Argentina against Spain’s defensive powerhouse. The final takes place on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Spain secured their place by defeating France in the semifinal, while Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1. Argentina aims for their fourth title, striving to be the first consecutive World Cup winners since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Spain seeks a second championship, their first since 2010.
Argentina excels with 19 goals in the tournament. Spain excels defensively, conceding only one goal. Sunday’s match concludes the largest World Cup ever, with 48 teams and 104 matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
This isn’t the first anticipated clash between the two teams. Messi and Spain’s Lamine Yamal were set to compete in Finalissima in Qatar in March, but security concerns led to its cancellation. This final will instead highlight soccer’s present and future, with Argentina and Spain holding the top two FIFA rankings entering the tournament.
A notable moment connects Messi and Yamal. In 2007, Messi posed for a photo with Yamal as part of a UNICEF program. Yamal, like Messi, emerged as a left-footed star for Barcelona. This year’s World Cup concludes with their story coming full circle.
Spain’s Path to the Final
- Record: Six wins, one draw, no losses
- Goals for: 13
- Goals against: 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 Path to the Final
- Record: Seven wins, no draws, no losses
- Goals for: 19
- Goals against: 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
Current Streaks
Both finalists bring notable unbeaten streaks to the match.
- Spain: 37-match unbeaten streak across competitions and friendlies, with 28 wins and nine draws. The last loss was 1-0 to Colombia in March 2024.
- Argentina: Unbeaten in their last 13 World Cup matches with 11 victories and two draws since a loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022 group play.
Odds
Spain is slightly favored over Argentina, with early odds set at +120 and +275, respectively. Odds for a draw started at +200, and these numbers may shift leading up to the final.
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