2026 FIFA World Cup: FINAL - Argentina vs. Spain

The excuse I guess can be said that is that teams started a little earlier than us and we had more reset to the build-up to the tournament? But the crazy thing I was looking was that the CA was a six game tournament… This is a 8…

I was thinking the same thing… Spain isn’t exactly a rival rival. Sure there is media stuff, particularly with the Madrid media(Even though zero players from Madrid rep this team) and other things here and there…But France was definitely gonna take that game v personal, particularly the Nina Turtle. They can sulk it up for another 4 years that we got that one over them…


France was super stupid to play with only two midfielders. They thought they could just outrun the Spanish but you can’t outrun a ball. I’m sure Scaloni had prepped for the Finalissima but has also prepped extensively for the Gallegos.

It’s crazy to think about that exactly a month ago that tournament run just began with a 3-0 v Algeria. The tournament flew by.

 

Because they have only conceded one goal we have no idea how Spain would react to going a goal behind, I think we need to rake advantage of free kicks and corners. The first goal in this game will be massive.

 

Belgium had de Ketelaare and Lukaku who are physical presences. We don't have that but we can certainly play behind their FBs especially Porro if he plays who is not a great defender and in between the channels.

You can see Spain trying to work the 1-2s around the box . We do need to be aggressive but measured. Squeeze the space in behind not allow ourselves to get rolled when they come into contact. Get a hold of Olmo and cut the supply to Yamal and keep him on his right foot.

 

We do have excellent set piece delivery. I'm sure Ayala and Samuel will be working something analyzing with Manna. Julian can also vary it and takes a great dead ball maybe set up Messi on a corner play so to speak.

 

France's entire fanbase absolutely HATES argentina with a passion. Not even generalizing. They hate on almost every player bar maybe Di Maria for psg fans. See that bald fraud frenchie on ESPN and other clown Jules Laurent.

 

I think people are just trying to hype them up is because of how easily they handled the favorites France… I’m sorry,’if you go into a game with two midfielders, you’re going to get killed. They looked good but France basically told them “Here, take it!”

Outside of that, they looked uninspired v a very average Portuguese side and I mentioned it before, Belgium gave them a bit of issues. Spain like ourselves have needed late winners to close out games. They just haven’t been as dramatic as us since our defending has looked shotty at times, and when I say defending, I’m talking about mostly Molina….

The rumor is they Nico G may get a start over a Giuliano and Montiel will be ahead of Molina… I’m not sure if Montiel can go for a 120 minutes but bringing in Molina late seems problematic to me but we clearly can’t trust him at the start… Maybe when attackers are a bit more tired? I don’t know…

 

I see that fat oaf Laporta saying Spain have the better team and will win. Does Leo need any extra motivation

 

No great surprise with the kits for the last two games of the World Cup - though France in the tricolore and England in white-navy-white was fine for the 2022 quarter-final pic.twitter.com/Z0RGSraDnb

— The Football Kit Podcast 👕 (@footballkitpod) July 17, 2026

No surprises

 

This would be a wonderful game for Lo Celso to get some minutes, seeing as he has played most of his career in Spain, offers a goal scoring threat from the left side of midfield (or anywhere for that matter), and compliments Messi very well. The question is how do we fit him in?

 

Yeah, I don't think he's gonna get to play in a world cup final out of sentiment

 

I wasn't referring to sentiment. He plays in Spain and knows how to play against a lot of these players and this style. Additionally, he has always elevated his level with the NT. I'm just not sure how he fits in.

It will be the same 11 as against England, with one player replacing Simeone, probably to help defend Lamal. Probably Nico G but his ball control might let us down (like Simeone's did). Lo Celso has excellent ball control, but he doesnt have the speed to chase down Lamal.

 

I cant deal with more bald frauds. We need a gofundme to get mascherano to turkey asap

 

• "Your career is like a video game, you keep unlocking new levels until you reach the final.”

Leo Messi: “I already completed the game at the last World Cup.." pic.twitter.com/5PH8Xcuhho

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 17, 2026

 

That event was so American.

Imagine if CR was there? "We'll win not 3, 4 or 5...."

 

I want Yamal to win a World Cup over Mbappe in the future, but this Sunday all my prayers for the GOAT, MESSI and he’s not my favorite all time, my favorite is MARADONA but MESSI is the GOAT.

 

I don't think Lo Celso will play but it's not a bad idea. This match up is most similar for the Scaloneta to the match against Croatia - the only other team against which we didn't expect to control the mid; also like Croatia, Spain is not very threatening up front. Scaloni changes his formation to 4-4-2, we play 4 mids, but cede possession (Croatia 61% for the match). But they are never able to penetrate our mid in a meanginful way. We have far more clear chances and easily win.

If Scaloni decides to replicate our 4-4-2, I'd go with Barco though. We don't have the counterattackers we had back then - Julian seems a bit slower to me, Messi quite a bit slower. We certainly can't match France's counterattacking ability. But our style is different. It relies more on quicker combos which include our mids. If we go with this, Mac Allister and Enzo's surprise runs will be key.

 

Simeone was tried on the left and did very poorly.

Anyhow, the only reason Simeone started against England rather thah Nico G, is because, defensively, the right is *our* weakest flank with Messi and Molina there. Furthermore, it was England's strongest flank.

Against Spain, our weakest flank is still the right but their stronger flank is our left.

 

Reading some comments from the Spanish press, from Laporte, and Laporta, I am so proud of our players of not doing anything nonsense before the match. Let's do the talking on the pitch.

Vamos Argentina!

 

Uruguay did better vs Spain than France btw nevermind the goated CV