Argentina, Spain brace for 2026 World Cup final

Lionel Messi’s battle-hardened Argentina take on silky Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday as the first 48-team tournament in history reaches a climax in New Jersey.

Argentina are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.

Sunday’s showpiece is likely to be the final World Cup appearance for Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing the diminutive genius lead out his team at the MetLife Stadium at the age of 39.

“He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The three-time champions have shown an astonishing never-say-die attitude during the 2026 tournament.

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They recovered from 2-0 down in the closing stages against Egypt in the last 16 and mounted another dramatic comeback in the final minutes of their semi-final against England.

Spain, on the other hand, have been almost flawless, conceding just a single goal in their seven matches so far and sweeping past France in the semi-finals.

Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a “physical” battle and would aim to ignore any possible “provocations”.

Rodri said: “It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared.

“But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.”