The Champions League final may have better players and more co-ordinated teams, but for sheer drama, excitement, unpredictability and anticipation, the World Cup final remains the biggest game in football.
Tonight’s clash is a fascinating encounter between Spain’s meditative, cerebral brand of football and Argentina’s more chaotic, emotion-filled, Messi-inspired approach.
One of the many fascinating subplots is that the two key figures for the sides were being written off until recently – Messi, owing to his age, and Rodri, because of his ACL problems.
There is also the Lamine Yamal factor – the 19-year-old is one of the few superstars who has had a disappointing tournament as he has been recovering from an injury. However, even if he is not 100%, the Barcelona winger has more than enough quality to be a decisive figure in this game.
One significant matter could be the fitness of both sides.
You suspect Spain will be better off in that regard.
Luis de la Fuente’s side are the younger team and haven’t had to play extra time in any of their knockout games, whereas two of Argentina’s knockout matches have lasted 120 minutes.
La Roja have also had an extra day to recover from their semi-final.
That said, Lionel Scaloni’s men have made a habit of defying the critics at this tournament, so they will feel like another victory is possible.
Jennifer Kate Hudson sings the US national anthem. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
21 hrs ago
8:00PM
Some interesting Opta facts below…
4 - 🇪🇸 duo Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are the fourth and fifth teenagers to start a FIFA World Cup final, with each of the previous three going on to lift the trophy that year:
3 - Lionel Messi is the second player to feature in three different FIFA World Cup finals (after Brazil's Cafu), while at 39 years old he's the oldest outfield player to ever play in the showpiece.
Spain looked the better team in the first half, dominating possession and territory.
But the European champions have been wasteful in promising positions, and Emiliano Martínez has yet to be seriously tested.
Meanwhile, Argentina have barely threatened, and have been content to sit back and commit cynical fouls, much like the first half of the England game.
But the longer Spain continue to toil in front of goal, you suspect the more encouragement Lionel Scaloni’s side will get given their tendency to finish games so strongly at this World Cup.
The two superstars, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, have shown glimpses of brilliance but have mainly been on the periphery of this game.
FULL-TIME: ARGENTINA 0-0 SPAIN – EXTRA-TIME TO BE PLAYED
19 hrs ago
10:21PM
So it’s extra time.
It seems hard to see Argentina hanging on when they’re effectively defending with eight outfielders and a team who look exhausted.
Lionel Scaloni’s side haven’t registered a shot on goal, whereas Spain have had 15.
Argentina winning this game would be the ultimate smash and grab.
But you suspect Spain will eventually find a way through their opponents’ dogged defence.
19 hrs ago
10:21PM
The match is back underway…
19 hrs ago
10:26PM
93 mins: Pedri floats in a ball.
Williams gets a faint touch with his head, but Martinez does well to parry the ball away.
19 hrs ago
10:27PM
Here’s a look at the red card…
🇪🇸 0-0 🇦🇷
Bedlam in New Jersey as Spain are once again Denied by Emi Martinez, and seconds later Enzo Fernandez picks up a second yellow for a clumsy challenge, and Argentina are down to 10 men.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
104 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
As it happened: Argentina v Spain, World Cup final
Argentina 0-1 Spain
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
The Champions League final may have better players and more co-ordinated teams, but for sheer drama, excitement, unpredictability and anticipation, the World Cup final remains the biggest game in football.
Tonight’s clash is a fascinating encounter between Spain’s meditative, cerebral brand of football and Argentina’s more chaotic, emotion-filled, Messi-inspired approach.
One of the many fascinating subplots is that the two key figures for the sides were being written off until recently – Messi, owing to his age, and Rodri, because of his ACL problems.
There is also the Lamine Yamal factor – the 19-year-old is one of the few superstars who has had a disappointing tournament as he has been recovering from an injury. However, even if he is not 100%, the Barcelona winger has more than enough quality to be a decisive figure in this game.
One significant matter could be the fitness of both sides.
You suspect Spain will be better off in that regard.
Luis de la Fuente’s side are the younger team and haven’t had to play extra time in any of their knockout games, whereas two of Argentina’s knockout matches have lasted 120 minutes.
La Roja have also had an extra day to recover from their semi-final.
That said, Lionel Scaloni’s men have made a habit of defying the critics at this tournament, so they will feel like another victory is possible.
Kick-off for the match is 8pm Irish time.
Confirmation of tonight’s teams…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Some interesting Opta facts below…
We’re underway…
3 mins: It’s been a cagey opening.
Neither team has really threatened, though most of the game is being played in Argentina’s half.
5 mins: Chance for Spain!
The ball ricochets favourably in the box for Olmo, who plays it to Yamal.
But the winger’s low shot is too close to the goalkeeper and is blocked.
8 mins: Spain are very much the dominant team in these opening stages.
Luis de la Fuente’s men have dominated possession as expected and are looking much more threatening.
12 mins: Ruiz’s cross is nervously knocked out for a corner by Martinez.
Spain continue to knock on the door.
13 mins: This feels a little reminiscent of the England game.
Argentina are looking to keep it tight and not overextend themselves, as they presumably prepare for a second-half surge.
14 mins: Olmo is down after a late challenge from Mac Allister.
The Liverpool star is lucky to avoid a yellow card, though it’s in keeping with officials’ lenient approach at this tournament.
17 mins: Yamal delivers a dangerous low cross.
But Martínez does well to get to the ball ahead of Oyarzabal.
22 mins: Argentina get a rare opportunity to attack.
Messi plays it forward, but the linesman has his flag up for offside, and González couldn’t control the pass away.
25 mins: Messi is fouled by Rodri as a potential counter-attack is stopped.
The whistle then sounds for the hydration break.
We’re back underway…
29 mins: Tagliafico cynically drags down Yamal in the latest of many fouls in this game.
The referee seems determined not to show any yellow cards in this first half.
32 mins: Baena creates space down the left, but his cross fails to beat the first man.
Defences have been on top so far.
38 mins: Spain continue to do most of the attacking.
But the European champions have lacked a cutting edge in the final third, with Argentina defending well.
As I type, Martinez gets down well to stop Oyarzabal’s low shot from distance after a well-worked move.
Finally, the referee produces a yellow.
Lisandro Martinez gets booked for cynically taking down Oyarzabal to stop a Spanish counter-attack.
43 mins: Space opens up for Cucurella on the edge of the area, but the full-back’s low shot drifts narrowly wide.
Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez has suffered a thigh injury and has to go off.
38-year-old Nicolás Otamendi comes on.
There will be four minutes of first half stoppage time…
HALF-TIME: ARGENTINA 0-0 SPAIN
So it’s been an unremarkable first half.
Spain looked the better team in the first half, dominating possession and territory.
But the European champions have been wasteful in promising positions, and Emiliano Martínez has yet to be seriously tested.
Meanwhile, Argentina have barely threatened, and have been content to sit back and commit cynical fouls, much like the first half of the England game.
But the longer Spain continue to toil in front of goal, you suspect the more encouragement Lionel Scaloni’s side will get given their tendency to finish games so strongly at this World Cup.
The two superstars, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, have shown glimpses of brilliance but have mainly been on the periphery of this game.
Some footage from the half-time show…
Here’s a look at one of the better chances in the first half for Spain…
Argentina are making a change for the second half.
Paredes, a surprise omission from the starting XI, replaces Gonzalez.
The second half is back underway after a 27-minute break.
47 mins: Spain start the half strongly.
Baena finds himself in a decent position, but his low shot is straight at Martinez.
Paredes has made his presence felt, knocking down Rodri off the ball.
The Argentine substitute gets booked as a result.
55 mins: Ruiz and Oyarzabal break menacingly towards goal with some lovely one-touch football.
But Otamendi does really well to get himself in the way and make a clearance.
Moments later, Olmo’s inviting low cross is cleared by Montiel.
Argentina are hanging on a bit.
58 mins: Argentina make another change that seems to be injury-related.
Montiel is replaced by Molina.
That’s their third sub, whereas Spain have yet to make any.
61 mins: Spain make a double sub.
Ruiz and Oyarzabal go off.
Pedri and Torres come on.
An unfortunate moment as referee Slavko Vincic can’t reholster his vanishing spray.
65 mins: Yamal delivers a dangerous inswinging cross.
But Paredes is in the right place to head it away.
It’s one-way traffic at the moment, with Spain looking much more dangerous.
67 mins: Yanmal beats two men on the right.
The cross finds Torres, whose header is straight at Martínez.
The subsequent hydration break comes at a good time for Argentina.
Wayne Rooney gives his blunt verdict on the half-time show…
70 mins: More changes for Argentina.
Medina and Simeone replace Romero and De Paul.
73 mins: There are signs this game is finally starting to open up.
Messi plays it to Simeone, but the winger’s low cross hits off a Spanish player and is cleared.
75 mins: More changes for Spain.
Olmo and Baena go off.
Merino and Williams are introduced.
76 mins: Padedes is already on a booking and needs to be more careful.
The midfielder jumps into the back of a Spanish player and gives away a free kick, but the referee lets him off with a warning.
As I type, Pedri’s low shot from the edge of the area is saved by Martinez.
Spain remain the dominant side. They may rue all these missed chances, though.
81 mins: Williams’ cross finds Laporte, but the defender’s header is straight at Martinez.
Argentina are really on the ropes and look tired.
It feels like only a matter of time before Spain score.
As I type, Enzo Fernandez gets booked for vehemently protesting the referee’s failure to award him a free kick.
86 mins: Argentina are offering almost nothing in attack.
It feels like the only way they can win this game is on penalties.
A look at one of Spain’s better chances…
89 mins: Spain are camped in the Argentina half.
Can they find a late winner?
There will be four minutes of injury time.
I thought there’d be at least six, given all the stoppages and substitutions, not to mention the hydration break.
RED CARD FOR ENZO FERNANDEZ!
Fernandez is already on a booking.
He foolishly clatters into Cubarsí, and the referee doesn’t hesitate to show him a red.
It’s hard to see how Argentina win from here.
96 mins: Alvarez has dropped into midfield.
Messi is now playing as a lone forward.
97 mins: Spain have a free kick on the edge of the area after Paredes commits a foul.
FULL-TIME: ARGENTINA 0-0 SPAIN – EXTRA-TIME TO BE PLAYED
So it’s extra time.
It seems hard to see Argentina hanging on when they’re effectively defending with eight outfielders and a team who look exhausted.
Lionel Scaloni’s side haven’t registered a shot on goal, whereas Spain have had 15.
Argentina winning this game would be the ultimate smash and grab.
But you suspect Spain will eventually find a way through their opponents’ dogged defence.
The match is back underway…
93 mins: Pedri floats in a ball.
Williams gets a faint touch with his head, but Martinez does well to parry the ball away.
Here’s a look at the red card…
96 mins: Williams has the ball in the net, but it’s ruled out.
Merino is penalised for a foul in the build-up.
99 mins: Two more changes for Spain.
Garcia and Zubimendi replace Laporte and Rodri.
101 mins: Yamal attempts a shot from the edge of the area, but it’s well off target.
Argentina then make another change as Alvarez is replaced by Senesi.
103 mins: Big chance for Spain!
Williams’ inviting cross finds Merino, whose header goes just wide of the post.
104 mins: Argentina are not happy, and justifiably so.
Messi plays a long pass for Simeone, who is barged over by Cucurella.
But the referee decides against awarding the free.
The officials certainly can’t be accused of favouring Argentina on this occasion.
Here’s a look at the disallowed goal…
HALF-TIME: ARGENTINA 0-0 SPAIN
If Argentina get to penalties, that will feel like a win in itself.
This is similar to the end of the England game, except on this occasion, Lionel Scaloni’s side are in the all-out defence role.
The second half is underway…
SPAIN 1-0 ARGENTINA (TORRES 106)
Game over?
Porro plays a ball into the far post, Williams keeps it alive, and Torres is on hand to hammer it home.
This would be the greatest of all Argentina comebacks.
Here’s a look at what might well be the winning goal…
111 mins: Argentina look exhausted and like a beaten team at the moment.
Spain are unlikely to sit back to the extent that England did in the semi.
A stat on TV has informed me that Spain have had 744 passes to Argentina’s 324.
As I type, Torres goes through on goal and puts it in the net but is adjudged to be marginally offside.
115 mins: Messi curls a cross into the area, but it’s overhit and goes out of play.
117 mins: Messi attempts a shot on goal, but it hits the face of Merino.
Play is stopped then so the Arsenal star can receive treatment.
120 mins: Big chance!
A low cross is played into the Spain area, but Curbasi gets the last touch, and it goes just wide.
Meanwhile, there will be five minutes of stoppage time.
121 mins: A Messi corner is prodded on and falls for Simeone.
But the Atletico Madrid star blazes it over from the edge of the area.
Less than two minutes remain.
Looks like Spain are going to see it out.
94 mins: Messi punts a long ball into the area that Simon collects comfortably.
Could that be his last touch in an Argentina jersey?
FULL-TIME: SPAIN 1-0 ARGENTINA
So Ferran Torres is Spain’s hero.
It’s been a tournament with some great games, but this was not one of them.
Spain were comfortably the better team and deserved their victory.
Argentina look tired and could not register a shot on target in 120 minutes, finishing with a 0.22 xG compared to 1.94 for their opponents.
Lionel Scaloni’s side rallied in the dying minutes and had one or two decent chances.
But anything other than a win for La Roja would have felt unjust given how ordinary and defensive Argentina were.
For Messi, it is surely the end of his World Cup career.
For Yamal, even though he didn’t have the best of games, it is another remarkable achievement for the 19-year-old to add to his glittering CV.
Here’s a look at that chance for Simeone in the dying moments…
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
2026 world cup Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Soccer Argentina Spain