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UNITED STATES - JULY 16: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image, created on July 16, is a digital cutout composite of image numbers 2280945202, 2280945611, 2280945773, 2280945722, 2281268567, 2281268725, 2281268671 and 2281268507.) In this photo illustration, (L-R) Rodri, Alex Baena, Lamine Yamal and Unai Simon of Spain and Emiliano Martinez, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez of Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina on July 16, 2026 in the United States. The match will be played at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. (Photo by FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
The 2026 World Cup is down to its final weekend. Tomorrow, a champion will be crowned as Spain takes on Argentina in the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Spain’s path through the knockout stage included wins over Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France. They’ve only allowed 1 goal throughout the whole tournament and enter the match on a 37-match unbeaten streak, which ties Italy’s record streak from October 2018-October 2021. La Roja will break that record if they win this match or the match advances to penalties, which technically counts as a draw but they want the win to become champions and break that mark in the process. Spain’s streak has lasted since March 26, 2024, and they’ve done it through a sound defense and taking advantage of their opportunities on offense. They have guys who can score from anywhere and strike at any time, and it isn’t just wonderkid Lamine Yamal. They have youth, experience, dangerous strikers, and solid defenders, and they’ve quietly rebuilt their squad to get to this point with a chance to once again wrap their hands around the trophy.
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Argentina arrived at the World Cup final after defeating Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England, and in two of those matches, they’ve had to come from behind. La Albiceleste have struggled at times in defending their title, but have ultimately showed some of the qualities that made them champions in the first place. Lionel Messi has been his usual otherworldly self, picking his times to be heroic and other times to be herculean. With the ball at his feet, Argentina is always dangerous because almost every time, he has made the right decision with the ball. His teammates aren’t chopped liver, either. They have come through at opportune times to either bring Argentina back into it or send them through to the next round.
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So, what’s the key matchup in this final? It’s Spain’s defense against Argentina’s offensive front. Spain has done an incredible job of limiting prolific offenses throughout the tournament, and that has to hold against Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and the rest of Argentina’s attackers. And, Spain’s defense has to hold through the final whistle, because we’ve seen Argentina strike when the world thought they were down and out.
Whoever wins this match will set a new precedent when the next World Cup comes around in 2030: they will become the first World Cup champion to have the opportunity to defend their title as a co-host. To do that, they first have to win this match, and it will be a dogfight tomorrow afternoon. To the winner goes the World Cup trophy and the glory of adding another star to their jersey.
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