World Cup: Can Spain Wreck Messi’s Last Dance?

Spain vs Argentina

It’s here at last, after five weeks of scintillating football, drama, controversy, and heart-stopping action. The World Cup 2026 final is upon us.

While England and France are left to face the ignominy of the third-place play-off, it is Spain and Argentina who will fight it out for the ultimate prize at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. 

The final isn’t all about Argentina captain Lionel Messi, but he will dominate most of the pre-match headlines, and maybe the reports too. The 39-year-old talisman leads the race for the Golden Boot, on eight goals and ahead of Kylian Mbappe by way of his four assists.

But he and his team face a Spain side which has been hugely impressive throughout the competition, certainly after an opening-day draw with Cape Verde, and it will probably take one more Messi masterclass to stop La Roja.      

 

Talking Points

Albiceleste will try to unsettle Spain

They began their semi-final as slight underdogs, but Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina did a professional job on the Three Lions, winning 2-1 thanks to a late comeback. La Albiceleste displayed all sides of their game, attacking with verve, skill, and ruthlessness in a blistering final 15 minutes that saw Enzo Fernandez hit a stunning long-range equaliser. Then, after Alexis Mac Allister had crashed a shot against the upright, Messi picked up the loose ball and chipped over a delightful cross that Lautaro Martinez met with a powerful header beyond Jordan Pickford.

The first half was a different story. Argentina registered only two shots on the England goal, but they racked up 12 fouls (15 by the final whistle) and picked up three yellow cards. The Three Lions were clearly rattled and started to retaliate. And while they took an early lead in the second half, the England players looked weary as they reemerged after the half-time break and eventually buckled under the pressure.

Spain will not be as easy as England were to unsettle, but that will not stop La Albiceleste from trying; they will use every weapon in their arsenal, the main one being their talisman, of course.          

 

Barcelona vs the King of Catalonia

Before the tournament began, the World Cup 2026 betting odds backed a Spain triumph to add to their Euro 2024 title, and that is exactly where we finish as Luis de la Fuente’s team are the favourites to win the final.

And La Roja’s victory over France told us exactly why. While Les Bleus had some clearly talented individuals, Spain played like a team and comfortably snuffed out the French threat while cutting through their defence twice. The Spain team is characterised by a strong Catalonian and Basque influence.

While Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal has led the line superbly, top-scoring with five goals, there is a Barcelona influence throughout the outfield, and the Camp Nou contingent will have a huge part to play again on Saturday.

Winger Lamine Yamal is a potential match-winner as is Ferran Torres; while Dani Olmo and Pedri will, in front of Manchester City star Rodri, aim to dominate in midfield. And another Barca youngster, Pau Cubarsi, has been superb at the heart of the Spain defence.

While these players are making their mark in Catalonia, they face a man who has already written himself into Barcelona folklore. He’s made more than his fair share of World Cup 2026 highlights, but there is more left for Messi to do, and he is the player the Spaniards fear the most.

The Catalans know him so well after he played most of his glittering career at the Camp Nou Stadium, scoring 474 goals in 520 games while winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with the Blaugrana to add to his record eight Ballon d’Ors. This is a matchup that neither Barcelona fans nor Messi will ever forget.           

 

History

Spain and Argentina have met six times in the past and have picked up three wins each, with the last meeting yielding a 6-1 La Roja win in 2018.

2010 champions Spain have won their last six games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once in their quarter-final victory over Belgium. Meanwhile, the three-time champions of Argentina have scored 16 goals and conceded seven in their six victories leading up to this final showcase.  

 

Betting Tip

With Argentina priced at 3.40 and the draw at 2.95, the SBOTOP odds point to a tight match, and we’re guaranteed plenty of drama between these two great teams.

I’m sticking with the team I have backed throughout and think La Roja will edge it, and for an alternative bet, I’d go for Over 2.50 at 2.25, or a 2-1 Spain win priced at 8.50.

   

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