Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi As Spain-Argentina Set Up World Cup Final

It all comes down to this: Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium in the worlds most important game. It is a clash between two elite national teams who both put on remarkable performances in their respective semifinal wins. 

It pits the reigning European champion who is undefeated in its last 14 games in major tournaments (13 wins and one draw) against a team whose success is unparalleled, like the two-time reigning Copa América holders and the defending World Cup champion.

Here is everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup final:

Spain vs. Argentina: How To Watch

Winning any major international tournament is exceptionally hard as it takes world-class talent, top coaching, no off days, and even a little bit of luck. On Sunday, Argentina will attempt to win its fourth consecutive major tournament in what would be an unprecedented feat. 

Of course, the accomplishment was made possible by Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.

What is striking about Messis career is that most of his international success began at the age of 34 with the 2021 Copa América, when he was named the tournaments best player in leading Argentina to its first title since 1993. Then he won the World Cup in 2022 at the age of 35, where he was again named the best player. Argentina repeated the Copa América title in 2024 in the United States despite Messi scoring just one goal and leaving the final injured. 

Now at the 2026 World Cup, Messi has once again continued to dominate the tournament at the age of 39. He scored Argentinas first five goals of the tournament and only three of the teams 14 goals in the last five games. What is so impressive, is that in the last five games he has actually played his best because he has been elevating his teammates. 

Against England, Messi took advantage of Englands defensive shift after the Three Lions took a 1-0 lead. He then assisted on Enzo Fernándezs equalizer in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinezs stoppage time winner. Messi has instead helped to balance the team’s attack and give it more versatility. 

Argentina has an incredible amount of talent and Messi has helped to bring it all to its potential. Lionel Scaloni also has this team playing with raw intensity and a desire to win that has not been matched. Argentina has been vulnerable at times in this tournament, such as trailing Egypt by two goals late, or trailing England 1-0 into the 85h minute. But Argentina has excelled when its back has been against the wall.

If there is any team that can match Argentinas intensity, it is Spain. La Roja played a near perfect game in its 2-0 win over France in the semifinal. What makes Spain so great is that all the players are so deeply committed to the system implemented by head coach Luis de la Fuente. 

No team in this tournament can pass and move as well as Spain. Once Spain has possession, it is extremely difficult to win it back. Then on the defensive side, Spain knows how to shut down spaces and force turnovers. 

Everyone in Spain plays a role in its system, but Rodri is the glue that makes the team move. Against France, the Manchester City central midfielder put on a world-class shift in terms of connecting the ball from the midfield and into the attack. Then defensively, he forced France into turnovers. He also won a significant percentage of his duels to keep Spain in possession. 

Spains attack is led by teenager Lamine Yamal and veteran forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who spent his entire career at Real Sociedad as opposed to the top clubs where elite center forwards play. Oyarzabal has been a perfect center forward for Spains system, and he typically finds ways to score big goals. Yamal, on the other hand, is a teenage superstar at Bar