2026 FIFA World Cup: FINAL - Argentina vs. Spain

I dont understand when people excused their 2014 disaster because of relying on old veterans. I mean 25-29 age brackets is aging squad? Really?

Even Casillas was in prime age of goalkeeper. The Barcelona guys won treble again with Messi the very next year.

 

Scaloni has a great plan v France in 22. I wonder what he has stored for the Gallegos.

 

He has been preparing since Finallisima and we know their squad very well.

 

Yes Spain have actually struggled against non euro sides. 2010 they basically had all european teams and since the group stage where Cabo Verde and Uruguay made people think Spain were not contenders they have faced Austria Portugal Belgium France a super impressive run but all teams they are comfy with. Chile beat them in 2014 and then Japan and Morocco gave them trouble in 2018/2022.

 

Yes they are usually a last 8 and out team. 2018 and 2026 the draw somewhat lifted them to last 4 and out. They were fortunate to not lose to Norway in 90 if not for that strange goal from that strange goal kick. Mexico/Norway are their biggest win off home soil in world cups it's just the fact of the matter.

 

This is why he is so dangerous in 2026 he has nothing to lose nothing to prove it's just pure magic unleashed. just don't take a penalty Leo!

 

Watching highlights from games where we lost possession and were controlled by the Swiss(Prior to the second yellow)…. There will be times where they are going to control possession but we need to keep our cool and not ball watch.


We also need to be careful playing too cute in the back. The gallegos are going to press and try to make us make mistakes in the back, particularly losing the ball in the middle of the pitch.

We need to return the favor and make this our type of game. We can’t just sit back and let them dictate tempo and etc.

Scaloni I am sure will have something ready. Last time around we jumped all over France, I wonder if we are going to do something similar. If we were saving our legs, this is the time to unleash some intensity.

 

Tomorrow you must not let Rodri and Ruiz settle and dictate. If they get on top then the rest of the Spanish team clicks in to gear.

 

We have to disrupt them and their style in similar way we did against england. Foul them, make them emotional the first 15-20 minutes. Im sure the spaniards know it will happen and thats why they want the ref to address it early and force him to give bookings. We have to play dirty. Once we have annoyed them enough, they will start doing the same to us and thats where we can hurt them as they become unfocus but they are expecting all of this. Man I'm so nervous for this one.

 

Seems like there will be a max of 2 changes

- Montiel or Molina
- RDP, Lo Celso or Giuliano

I'm hoping that we start the same lineup vs England. Montiel is better coming as a sub.

Tomorrow is the D-Day. Vamos Argentina!!

 

As terrible as Molina has been in this tournament, Spain players aint relying on speed like France & England. Montiel always proven to be more effective as late sub much like Lautaro. Plus, its hard to imagine Molina taking a penalty, if its comes to that...

 

My thoughts exactly.

Plus Nico Williams come as a sub, I'd rather have Montiel fresh against him than Molina as a sub. Molina should be able to handle Baena, who is also his club teammate as well so should know all his tricks (same goes vice versa but Molina can't perform any worse lol).

 

I think Molina starts, lol. There are too many arguments for using Montiel as a sub.

Lo Celso in midfield instead of RDP would be an excellent option.

 

I am surprised Lo Celso is getting a shout. Scaloni always has some plan...

 

RDP isnt much stronger physically than Gio these days. Maybe for the first 30 minutes but other than that, Gio creativity and goalscoring threat are more useful against technical opponents who dont rely on pace. RDP these days doesnt have much pace either , so I'm ok with him as a sub as in previous game.

 

1 Last Ride

Vamos Argentina!!

 

Tapia already thinking of friendlies against Honduras and Costa Rica.

 

Win or lose this is the last barbecue and the last time we see these boys play( for a lot of them) Ill probably be cheering and crying regardless of the outcome. I couldn't have asked for a better run or a better group of players.

Not just Messi who im no where near ready to say bye to no or 10 years from now. Otamendi, Tagliafico, RDP, Paredes, and Montiel there's a possibility that all are gone by end of day tomorrow. What a ride it has been. At the moment no one plays harder or better than this team. They deserve everything and deserve to go out on top.

 

Yeah, I'm bummed that Messi won't get the top scorer title nor hold the record all-time WC scorer claim for at least four years...Mbappe pretty much left him in the dust and will hold the latter for a long, long time.

I just cannot see (even) Messi having a final performance that puts him back on top of the 'race' with Mbappe...

 

#SelecciónMayor Porque nunca nos conformamos con lo conseguido, ahí vamos otra vez.

¡Vamos por todo, Argentina! 🇦🇷💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/ucR3ic4a3S

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 19, 2026

 

doesn't mean anything 3 world cup finals potentially 3 golden balls is what counts.
if he can win a 2nd world cup he is the greatest world cup player of all time.

 

Well that quote basically said it will be either 2 wide midfielders (should be Nico G here, come on Scaloni).

Or if he goes with 3 more central midfielders, Lo Celso has a chance maybe. No RDP please.


Molina - Romero - Licha - Tags
Mac - Paredes - Enzo - Lo Celso
Messi - Julian

 

Not sure how I feel about the reports but seems Scaloni going back to the lineup that started against Egypt except Montiel for Molina ….

hope RDP proves our doubts wrong because he was great coming on as a sub but if he starts and reverts back to his earlier form we are so fked

once again Enzo and Mac really need to have the game of their lives again. Really want them to outduel this other overhyped midfield like they did last game

oh and Julian really wants to move to Barca right? The Barca brass are all watching their golden boys so uh if you want to join them let’s get a brace eh?

 

Yep, they've showed a great fighting spirit throughout the tournament (in last 7 years to be exact), I'll always thank these guys for giving me the best of times as an Argentina fan (been following the NT regularly since 1998).

They already exceeded my expectation by reaching another final, winning all 7 games with Messi most likely having another golden ball, and most of all...defeating the English!