Spain face Argentina in the World Cup final
The final: Spain vs Argentina, Sunday in New York
This is it. Spain face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, and your team has earned every bit of it (1) (10). France were swept aside 2–0 in the semi-final, and Didier Deschamps did not sugarcoat it: "Spain were better than us" (9). Now only Argentina stand between La Roja and the trophy.
Rodri: 'We have few weaknesses'
Your captain is not hiding. Rodri told the press that Spain have very few weaknesses and addressed Argentina's provocations directly, saying the team is ready for whatever comes (7). The complete package, and he knows it.
Laporte warns about Argentina's style
Aymeric Laporte did not mince words. "Argentina like to leave a mark on their opponents," he said ahead of the final (4). A defender's way of saying the match will be physical, and Spain need to be ready.
Spain dominate semi-final Team of the Round
Dan the Scout named his World Cup semi-finals best XI and Spain players filled it: Unai Simón, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, and Rodri all made the cut (5). Djed Spence also featured. The France performance left its mark.
De la Fuente's masterclass before the final
Luis de la Fuente spoke with humility and class ahead of Sunday. No arrogance, no mind games (6). The manager who has beaten Deschamps, Tuchel, and now faces Scaloni keeps it simple: when this Spain team plays together, nobody beats them.
Montse Tomé: 'Nobody plays football like Spain'
Former Spain women's coach Montse Tomé had high praise: "Nobody plays football like Spain" (2). She also spoke about her relationships with De la Fuente and Scaloni, two coaches she knows well.
Messi x Yamal: respect across the divide
Lionel Messi praised Lamine Yamal ahead of the final, and the Ballon d'Or storyline is real (8) (10). Messi called Yamal a fantastic player and admitted he follows him closely because of Barcelona. High praise from the man on the other side.
Dibu Martínez: 'It was destiny to face Spain'
Argentina's goalkeeper framed it as fate. "It was destiny to play Spain," Dibu Martínez said, adding that if Argentina score three goals every match, they will win (11). He sounds confident. Your forwards will have something to say about that.
Squad spotlight: all 26 stories
Olé published a deep profile of every player in Spain's 26-man squad ahead of the final, from Lamine Yamal to Mikel Oyarzabal (3). The full breakdown of the team carrying the nation's hopes into Sunday.
Fan-reaktioner
The big talking point among Spain fans: Cucurella has reportedly said he will retire from the national team if Spain win the World Cup. Reactions are split between admiration and disbelief that a player in his prime would walk away after the biggest prize. Read the thread here. Messi's warm words about Yamal have also landed well, with many fans appreciating the mutual respect ahead of a final of this magnitude.
Sources
- 1. marca.com — Cucurella y Enzo buscan la gloria absoluta en el Mundial
- 2. marca.com — Montse Tomé: "No hay nadie que juegue al fútbol como España"
- 3. ole.com.ar — El uno por uno de España: historias y secretos de los 26 jugadores que enfrentarán a la Argentina en la final del Mundial
- 4. bbc.co.uk — Argentina like to leave mark on opponents - Laporte
- 5. justarsenal.com — Dan the Scout Names His World Cup Team Of The Semi-finals – Who’s In Yours?
- 6. ole.com.ar — La masterclass de Luis De la Fuente antes de enfrentar a Argentina
- 7. ole.com.ar — Rodri avisó que España tiene "pocas debilidades" y qué dijo sobre las "provocaciones" de Argentina
- 8. ole.com.ar — Messi, antes de la final: la pregunta que le hizo Djokovic y muchos elogios a Lamine Yamal
- 9. marca.com — Deschamps ya no se acuerda del árbitro y reconoce la evidencia: "España fue mejor que nosotros"
- 10. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Coupe du Monde : Un duel Messi - Yamal pour le Ballon d'Or 2026 ?
- 11. ole.com.ar — Dibu Martínez, antes de la final: del "era el destino jugar con España" al "si metemos tres goles todos los partidos, vamos a ganar"