The final match of the 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the brightest in football history. Two great teams will meet on the pitch — Spain and Argentina. For Lionel Messi, this match could be his last in the 'Albiceleste' jersey, while for Lamine Yamal, it is an opportunity to establish himself as a modern superstar.
The Road to the Final: Spain — A Flawless Machine
The Spanish national team demonstrated exceptional cohesion and tactical maturity at the tournament. From a draw with Cape Verde to a confident victory over France (2:0) in the semi-finals, 'La Roja' only improved. On their way to the final, the Spaniards defeated Saudi Arabia (4:0), Uruguay (1:0), Austria (3:0), Portugal (1:0), and Belgium (2:1). In seven matches, they scored 13 goals, conceding only once.
Argentina: Will to Win and Messi's Genius
Argentina confidently passed the group stage, beating Algeria (3:0), Austria (2:0), and Jordan (3:1). In the knockout stage, the 'Albiceleste' relied on their mental strength and the talent of Leo Messi. Victories over Cape Verde (3:2), Egypt (3:2), Switzerland (3:1), and England (2:1) — all were earned in tense matches, often in extra time. Messi became the undisputed leader of the tournament in the 'goal + assist' system.
Squads: Questions and Super Subs
Spain has doubts about the availability of Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro — both players suffered injuries but are ready to play. If Porro can replace Marcos Llorente, then Yamal is irreplaceable. Otherwise, the 'La Roja' lineup is unlikely to change: Fabian Ruiz will likely start, while Mikel Merino will again play the role of a super sub.
Argentina approaches the final without personnel issues, but questions about the lineup remain. For almost the entire tournament, the team played with four defensive midfielders, but against England, one of them was replaced by winger Julián Simón. The Argentines also have their own 'super sub' — Lautaro Martínez, who scored the winning goals in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
History of the Rivalry
The teams have faced each other seven times, but only one of them was official — at the 1966 World Cup, the Argentines won 2:1. In friendly matches, Spain dominates — five wins to one loss. The aggregate score is 16:7 in favor of 'La Roja'.
Coach Quotes
"Much will depend on the referee's work. The referee cannot be lenient and allow going beyond the rules. We are comfortable when it comes to football — about the game, about loyalty to our principles," said the Spanish coach.
"In the Spanish team, everything worries me. They have players who have played in the biggest world tournaments, and many of them are leaders of their clubs. I don't think our second consecutive run to the final will give us any advantage," noted the Argentine coach.
Where to Watch the Final
In Ukraine, the official broadcaster of the tournament — the media service MEGOGO — will show the live broadcast of the match. The start is scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time. The game can be watched on the 'MEGOGO Football First' channel. Subscribers with the 'Maximum' or 'Sport' subscription will also be able to see the match in the special 'Sport' section.
The pre-match analytical studio will begin broadcasting at 20:20. Host Alexandra Kucherenko and experts Alexander Golovko and Roman Bebekh will be on air. Vitaliy Kravchenko and Sergey Lukyanenko will commentate on the final.
Earlier, it was reported that the bronze medalists of the 2026 World Cup were the English, who defeated France in a real thriller.
