Spain win World Cup in triumph of football over Argentine thuggery

· Yahoo Sports

Spain celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their victory over Argentina - Getty Images/Hector Vivas

Football 1 Felons 0. It took extra time to get there but, thank goodness, we got there. The sport prevailed. Spain won the World Cup and we are all better for that. Football is better for that. It desperately needed Spain to win this final. Anything else would have felt like a crime.

Even at the final whistle Argentina showed their thuggishness with Nahuel Molina throwing a punch at Rodri and coach Lionel Scaloni – usually so calm – getting involved. Leandro Paredes, who might want to try to play football rather than manhandle his opponents, grabbed Eric García by the throat and pushed over Gavi. What a sight.

Visit truewildgame.online for more information.

And Lionel Messi? For all the brilliance of the world’s greatest ever player – as England can sorely testify from the semi-final – his most memorable contribution was to try to get Spain’s Marc Cucurella sent off for covering his mouth.

That was in retribution after Enzo Fernández was rightly dismissed in added time of the regulation 90 minutes to become the third Argentina player to be sent off in a World Cup final, after two in 1990. They used the same dirty tactics as all those decades ago.

After he collected his runners-up medal there were tears from Messi, 39 now and surely at his last World Cup. But no one need cry for Argentina.

Lionel Messi could not hold back the tears at the end - Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

Now the deposed world champions, they deserved nothing because they did nothing, becoming the first World Cup finalists not to even have a shot until the 121st minute, when Giuliano Simeone fired over from a corner when they were frantically chasing the game.

Instead, they pushed and shoved, fouled and stood over opponents on the ground with a few choice words. And tried to pressurise the referee, as they had so successfully done against England. But at least this time the official, Slovenian Slavko Vincic, eventually intervened with Fernández’s red.

In the first half, Argentina committed more fouls – nine – than they completed passes in the final third of the pitch – eight. This was nasty, depressing anti-football. And it got what it deserved.

The only goal came in the second period of extra time with Spain’s brilliant winger, Nico Williams, who should have started and made such a difference, cleverly heading back a Pedro Porro cross for another replacement, Ferran Torres, to lash high into the net. What a relief.

Spain should have won far more comfortably, but the European champions lived up to the claim made by their coach Luis de la Fuente and proved they are the best team in the world, having beaten the favourites France in the last four. 

Spain won this tournament for the second time, 16 years after the first. Now there is just one nation chasing a “second star”, the one beaten by Argentina in Atlanta last Wednesday.

If England ever want to win this again then here is the blueprint. This is how the game should be played. Get the ball, keep the ball, love the ball, move the ball. Try to play. Be brave and stay brave. It is not complicated, but it requires a re-education.

Maybe one day English football will grow up and cherish ball-players of their own, rather than Manchester City signing Rodri, who was magnificent here until he tired, or Arsenal with Martín Zubimendi, who successfully replaced him.

Rodri was named player of the tournament, in recognition of the football his nation played and the 30-year-old’s importance to to their system. He is their heartbeat and metronome. England do not just need to find a Rodri, but cherish whoever that is.

Argentina will point to the fact they lost three-quarters of their back four to injury. But that would be a diversionary tactic. Their approach was clear from the first whistle and did not deviate as they attempted to rough up Spain the way they did England.

Except Spain are more evasive because they pass the ball quicker and better than England. There is such a debate about possession-based football in the Premier League, the attempt by coaches, often unsuccessful, to replicate Pep Guardiola. But that is what the best teams do; the winning teams. Especially in international football. We need to reduce the pace and physicality and remember what the purpose of the game is. Thomas Tuchel got it wrong and should admit it.

Spain again showed the way as they did in beating England in the final of the last European Championship, and they will be the team to beat when it comes to retaining that crown in two years’ time. Which will largely be held in England.

This was not a great final. It was a hard watch, especially after the referee gave Argentina licence to play as they wanted as he somehow failed to book Alexis Mac Allister for a horrible lunging tackle on Dani Olmo. The ball was an afterthought for the Liverpool midfielder.

It prompted chants of “Fifatina” from the Spain fans; referencing the conspiracy theory that the governing body wanted Argentina, and more specifically Messi, to win it again.

Spain’s momentum was not helped by Argentina’s approach, or by the ridiculously long half-time break, with the spectacularly bad show, which lasted almost half an hour. But they kept striving forward.

Finally the chances came, late in normal time, with Torres heading straight at Emiliano Martínez, who also denied Pedri before Aymeric Laporte headed weakly. There were two more headers from Williams and Mikel Merino, all good chances.

The ball was in the net, from Williams, but those conspiracy theorists will have been in overdrive as it was ruled out for a non-existent foul on Nicolás Otamendi, who threw himself to the ground after contact with Merino.

But the goal did come and, with the world watching, justice was served. In this most controversial of World Cups, where the focus has sometimes been elsewhere, Spain won. Football won. Even if Argentina showed the final disrespect by turning their backs and failing to congratulate their opponents. Class against classlessness.

11:51pm

And here’s the moment on film

11:50pm

Donald Trump lingers during the trophy lift

David Ramos/Getty Images11:48pm

Rodri raises the World Cup for Spain

Kai Pfaffenbach/REUTERS11:44pm

Trump stays on the stage after handing Rodri the World Cup

Rodri was waiting for him to leave before he lifted it but he lingered a while on the edge of the group as Infantino tried to show the way off. 

11:38pm

Spain go up for their medals

And go up in squad number order with David Raya first.

11:37pm

Messi is starting to cry

Perhaps it is the end. One would thing being 43 in 2030 would make it impossible to carry on until then. 

11:36pm

Argentina go up for their runners-up medals

The vitriol has dissipated and Spain give them a gracious round of applause. A silver medal isn’t so bad when most of the squad already have a gold one.

Messi receives his silver medal from President Trump - Hannah McKay/Reuters11:34pm

Player of the tournament

Spain’s captain, Rodri. Ballon d’Or winner in 2024, world and European champion. 

11:33pm

Fifa’s Golden Glove

Unai Simon who has kept seven clean sheets and conceded only one goal in the tournament. 

11:32pm

Fifa’s young player of the tournament

Pau Cubarsi and it’s thoroughly deserved. 

11:30pm

The officials go first

The referee Slavko Vincic retires after today. 

11:28pm

Sergio Ramos brings the World Cup on to the platform

Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino walk on together with Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney behind. They are being booed, whether that’s for Infantion or Trump it’s hard to tell. Probably both. 

11:23pm

Paredes after the final whistle

Paredes throttles Garcia - JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty ImagesParedes and Almada attack Gavi - Mike Segar/ReutersParedes pushes Gavi to the floor - CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFPMolina gets in Rodri’s face - VINCENT CARCHIETTA/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters11:07pm

Paredes throttled Garcia then slapped Gavi

And Molina was involved too. Shameful.

A brief fight erupted immediately after the whistle, with punches thrown. One player went tumbling down in the chaos. Borja Iglesias also clashed with Lionel Scaloni.  It’s been just as ill-tempered from Argentina as the 1990 final, when they had two sent off in the second-half, Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti 

11:04pm

Argentina go down in disgrace

Paredes swings a couple of punches at Spain players and some of his team-mates join in the pushing and slapping. Messi does not get involved and Scaloni has to come on to get him away.

Otamendi is in Rodri’s face complaining about something. 

11:02pm

Full time: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Cucurella pushes Paredes over and Argentina will have one last chance to pump it into the box. Spain win the header and the World Cup!

11:01pm

120+4 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Argentina free-kick in their own half. Messi hangs it it up and Simon comes put to catch. 

11:00pm

120+3 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Argentina are on the attack but Tagliafico decides to shove Merino and gift-wraps a free-kick for Spain. 

10:59pm

120+2 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Messi’s corner inspires pinball and mayhem. The ball drops to Simeone on the volley and he hoofs it over from 12 yards as he fell backwards. 

10:57pm

120 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Williams with a cheap foul 10 yards inside the Spain half gives Argentina a free-kick. Messi plays a one two and dribbles down the right then sends Simeone to the byline to cross. Garcia slides in to beat Mac Allister and turn it behind for a corner. 

Five minutes of stoppage time to come. Seems excessive to me. 

10:55pm

119min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

The game resumes with a drop ball and Merino off the field. Yamal blocks the cross. 

10:55pm

118min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Messi has a pot shot from 20 yrads and hits Merino flush in the face, knocking him over. Much to Argentina’s disgust, the referee blows to stop the game for a head injury. 

10:54pm

116 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Williams breaks through down the left with perfect poise and then in a moment of slapstick, instead of shooting, he tries to chop it with his left but only chops it into his right foot and out for a goalkick. 

10:52pm

114 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Messi buys himself a corner, plays a one-two with Paredes and hooks his cross/shot on to the roof of the net. 

10:51pm

112 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Argentina have a free-kick for offside outside their own penalty area. Up go all the defenders and Martinez launches it towards the Argentina box. Spain win the header and Yamal sends Ferran Torres racing through the broken lines to thump a shot pas Martinez but he had jumped the gun, half a yard offside.  

10:49pm

110 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

Mac Allister is booked for booting Merino who was quiet happy to take the bargain of sharp pain for the resulting free-kick

10:48pm

108 min: Spain 1 Argentina 0

A waspish comment from Guy Mowbray about Scaloni packing his team with defensive substitutes now that they need a response. ‘Has he Tucheled himself?’ 

10:43pmVideo • Goals

GOAL!

Spain 1 Argentina 0 (Ferran Torres) Deep cross from the right, Porro, I think. Williams nods it back from the byline on the left to keep it alive and put it on a plate for Ferran Torres who steered his volley into the roof of the net with the perfect blend of power and precision.

The breakthrough for Spain, and the crucial assist from Nico Williams. He has been a revelation in this game. A great substitute’s performance.

10:42pm

106 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Tagliafico has to be lifted to his feet to start the half. 

10:41pm

Half-time: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Argentina are scrapping in characteristic fashion, using every trick in the book. Spain just haven’t been good enough to get past them… yet. If they were to lose this on penalties, they will be kicking themselves for the next four years. 

10:38pm

105+2 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Argentina throw themselves on to the floor at the slightest touch to try to eat up more time.   One more minute to come. 

10:37pm

105 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Argentina’s bench goes loopy when the referee refuses to award a foul because Simeone had stopped deliberately to initiate contact with Cucurella whose eyes were on the ball as he tracked back to try to win a header. Scaloni’s reaction is over the top and he joins Paredes et al in the book.  

Three minutes to come. 

10:35pm

103 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Merino misses a golden chance with a free header from about right yards to the right of the penalty spot. The cross was perfect, the run was perfect and the connection was awful, smearing it wide. 

10:33pm

101 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain keep the tiki-taka rhythm in their build-up until Yamal decides to go for a worldie of a finish with a left-foot shot he would like to bend into the top left corner from the right but it keeps climbing until it hits the crowd.

Senesi → Alvarez. 

10:31pm

99 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Messi fouls Cubarsi and has a shot after the whistle that was off target. 

10:30pm

VAR agrees with the referee

No goal!

Very, very soft.

Zubimendi → Rodri
Garcia → Laporte

The officials says Otamendi’s foot was trodden on. Didn’t look like it.

10:27pm

VAR check for Spain goal!

That’s very soft if he rules that out and backs up the referee. That seems a clear and obvious error to me. Otamendi dived and Martinez was not really touched by Merino before Williams slotted the ball in from 10 yards. 

10:26pm

93 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Lovely pass from Pedri, clipped from the inside-right to the inside-left as Williams stole in behind Otamendi but Otamendi managed to get a  flick on it that changed the trajectory slightly and Williams could not adjust to reach it with his forehead. 

Seems nailed on for Argentina to win on penalties with Martinez the hero once more.

Argentina are going to have to do more with less in extra-time, and it’s a huge task. Pedri and Merino have really made a difference. Paredes is one yellow and another half. This is the opportunity for Spain. They have tortured a very resilient Argentina side for 100 minutes. They have got them down to ten men. Penalties would be a huge achievement for Argentina now. 

10:22pm

91 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain kick off and resume their patient probing. Spain could make two more subs, Argentina one. 

10:20pm

Lionel Messi sneaky Goat

While Cubarsi was receiving treatment Cuvurella was speaking to Messi and briefly touched his mouth. Up went Messi’s right arm and immediately told the referee to send him off but common sense prevailed. 

10:16pm

Full time of normal time

Yamal takes it, and gets it over the wall but Emi Martinez soars to his left to turn it behind. And that’s the end of normal time. 

10:15pm

90+7 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain free-kick 22 yards out just right of centre for Paredes’ foul on Ferran Torres. 

10:14pmVideo

90+5 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Simon triggers a counter-attack and Spain outnumber Argentina with Williams, Merino and Yamal. Williams drives down the right and spurns the urgings of Yamal to pas to him on the left of the box, then hammers a shot straight at Martinez who bats it away. Argentina launch it and Cubarsi picks up the ball, getting to it in front of Enzo who brings him down, arriving late.

That’s a second yellow card and off he trots but not until he has protested for 90 seconds with all his team-mates in support. It was a naield on yellow. Serves him right for his eralier dissent.

Enzo Fernandez’s red card - the first of his two yellows was for dissent. When you need to make as many fouls as he was always going to have to do in this game, it’s such a waste to pick one up for backchat. Not much sympathy beyond the borders of Argentina one suspects.

10:11pm

90+2 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Messi takes it short then receives the return pass and runs at the heart of the defence but is tackled. The ball ricochets out to Simeone down the right but his cross is so near Simon he could throw his cap on it as he dived. 

10:09pm

90+1 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Messi lays it off to Molina down the right then runs into Laporte who stands his ground. Free-kick to Argentina, 30 yards out. 

10:08pm

90 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Four minutes of stoppage time to come. Seems low given the number of fouls and substitutions. 

10:07pm

89 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Argentina win a series of tackles around the penalty area as Spain keep probing. But they cannot do anything with the ball and Spain pin them straight back. Rodri, to try to break the deadlock/tedium, lines up a shot from 25 yards and blazes over. 

10:05pm

87 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Merino spins a left-foot chip up the inside-right channel. Ferran Torres tacks over and tries to take it on the half-volley as it dropped over his shoulder but scuffed it into the hoardings. 

10:03pm

86 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

This is an absolute dog of a game. It’s like 2010 and parts of 2014. But still Spain cannot pick the lock. 

10:02pm

84 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Enzo bundles Merino over while the Arsenal forward was shielding the ball and making a back for the foul. Spain move it forward to Ferran Torres who earns a throw-in on the right for his enterprising run. 

10:00pm

82 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Enzo Fernandez is booked for protesting when a challenge on him was not deemed a foul. He compounds his initial offence by applauding the referee who turns a blind eye to that show of dissent. 

09:59pm

80 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Porro lengthens his stride down the right and Tagliafico knocks it out for a throw-in. Spain work it down the line and cross for Laporte at the back post but he is very tightly marked by Medina who gets his body in the way and the effort loops harmlessly at Martinez. 

It would be rather unfortunate if the second World Cup final on US soil went the same way as the first: a 0-0 draw at the Pasadena Rose Bowl 32 years ago, remembered almost only for Roberto Baggio’s penalty miss. Serena Williams looks less than enthralled, perhaps pining for a repeat of the tennis score England served up in Miami.

09:56pm

79 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Cubarsi, who set up Spain’s winner in the Belgium game with a shot, almost does so again with one from 22 yards that dips and wobbles. Martinez dives to his right to block and his defenders make sure no one can pounce on the rebound. Argentina slow the game right down from the restart.

So many Spain shots hit straight at Martinez. They’re really pushing now.

09:54pm

77 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Another Spain shot arrows down Martinez’s throat, this time from Pedri. 

09:53pm

76 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Paredes wipes Merino out when challenging for a header but he’s OK despite the heavy fall. Paredes won the ball so it was perfectly OK. 

09:52pm

74 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain make two attacking changes:

Williams → Baena
Merino → Dani Olmo

Argentina have now used all five subs and among them three of their four original defenders are off – including both centre-backs. They will surely have ‘a moment’ at some point but it’s been a long time coming.

09:50pm

72 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Clever pass from Mac Allister sends Tagliafico free down the left but he hasn’t got the legs to beat Porro and doubles back. Simeone is played down the other wing and, with four in support, passes it straight to Baena. 

Martinez has been in a flap during the second half - Matt Slocum/AP09:48pm

70 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Such a surprise that Romero goes down during that sustained period of pressure and prompts the hydration break. Argentina defending for their lives. The new factor was Emi Martinez flapping. Argentina have done very well to get to this stage at 0-0 given Spain’s domination. Yamal has struggled to get into the box and commit defenders. I think thatmay well tip it if he can do so.

09:47pm

69 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Second hydration break. 

Argentina make their final two substitutions:

Medina → Romero
Simeone → De Paul. 

09:46pm

67 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Tagliafico tells Martinez he will deal with a deep cross but then heads behind when under no pressure. Yamal takes the corner to the near post again. It’s easily won by Argentina who head it back out to the winger. His second cross is better this time too and Ferran Torres heads it from eight yards straight at Martinez.  

09:44pm

65 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Yamal’s low corner is knocked back to him from the near post and his second attempt, a spinning, dipping menace, is headed behind by Paredes. 

09:42pm

63 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

The ref plays advantage and allows Spain to pile forward after a foul and Dani Olmo shoots from 20 yards. The shot again dips in front of Emi Martinez and it squirts out of his grasp and goes behind for a corner.

09:39pm

61 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Yamal whacks it into the wall and Argentina scramble it away for a throw-in of their own.

First Spain changes:

Ferran Torres → Oyarzabal
Pedri → Fabian Ruiz.

09:38pm

59 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain have a free-kick about 23 yards out, right of centre after Paredes kicked Porro on the Achilles. Yamal, Oyarzabal and Baena stand over it. 

09:36pm

57 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Montiel’s alertness stops Spain tearing a hole down the right of the attack and then switching it for Cucurella’s run into the box with another passing move of mesmerising movement. Montiel lunges in to put the ball behind before Cucurella can shoot. The corner comes to naught and Montiel’s race is run. 

Molina → Montiel. 

09:34pm

54 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

A gloriously slick move from Spain after Simon diddles Alvarez who was trying to press him. He passes calmly to Cubarsi who drives forward and they go bam-bam-bam from Ruiz to Olmo up to Oyarzabal who drives towards the box, shapes to shoot and instead threads it through to Olmo ahead of him for the return. But Olmo’s lay-off to Oyarzabal is blocked by Romero and Mac Allister. 

09:30pm

52 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Paredes dips his shoulder into Rodri’s back who goes down like a sack of spuds. Dani Olmo hares over to tell Paredes to leave his captain alone and Paredes shives him over too. The second offence draws the yellow card out of the ref’s pocket.

Rodri made sure that Paredes got that yellow card. One can only admire the dedication. Paredes only came on at half-time. 

09:28pm

50 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Argentina, who have had a day’s less rest, are poised to send on two more subs. Baena bumps into Montiel after the latter had released the ball and concedes a free-kick. 

I timed half-time at 27min 18sec.

09:26pm

48 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Laporte races across to the left of his defence with Cucurella upfield and slides in to tackle Montiel, putting the ball behind for a corner. Messi takes on the right, looking for Mac Allister’s near-post run but the ball bobbles off the Liverpool midfielder into a Spain defender and back out for a goal-kick. 

09:24pm

46 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Paredes makes a mistake with his first touch, trying to play it across his defence from the left and gives it to Baena who takes a touch then puts his laces through a shot that wobbles a bit then bounces awkwardly in front of Martinez who manages to dive forward and gather.  

09:22pm

Half-time substitution

Leandro Paredes replaces Nico Gonzalez. 

09:20pm

Deep into Infantino time

The show is over and it’s time for some more Beckham-themed commercials. about 24 minutes elapsed by my reckoning.

09:19pm

Unimprovably blunt review

‘I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap,’ says Wayne Rooney.

09:18pm

The language of Shakira

Shakira is one of Fifa’s go-to options, it seems. The ubiquitous Dai Dai is the fourth official song she has performed although her first since La La La in Brazil 2014. The song titles are not exactly Dylanesque.

Shakira is a firm Fifa favourite - PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty ImagesJungkook of BTS performs - Buda Mendes/Getty ImagesAnimal and the Muppets lend the gig some credibility - JAMES LANG/ IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters09:13pm

And on it goes

We’ve passed the 15 minute mark on my stopwatch. At this point in every other World Cup final in history, the game would have restarted.

09:13pm

Next up is Justin Bieber

Introduced by Ted Lasso. Then it’s Shakira. 

Find someone who looks at you like Ronaldo looks at Madonna - Michael Regan /FIFA via Getty Images09:10pm

Ronaldinho, Madonna and Ronaldo start the half-time show

2002 World Cup winners return to the biggest stage with Madonna - Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images09:08pm

R9

Madonna is up on the big stadium screen being driven in a buggy by Ronaldo - the one that needs the Fifa cash, not that other one. Thus far, it seems that her much vaunted appearance in the half-time show does not include an in-person appearance although that could be a late twist.

 She did come on to the pitch in the end. 

09:05pm

The half-time show begins

With Madonna singing Music, flanked by the original Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. It has to be seen to be believed, particularly the expression on Il Fenomeno’s face.

They are followed by BTS and the Muppets.

09:00pm

Half-time verdict

Argentina will be pleased to have restricted Spain’s chances, but it will have been very hard work to make all those sprints out to the man in possession, in this direct sunshine. That will have taken a lot out of Argentina. They have also lost Lisandro Martinez, who cannot be fit. But they have been shown the usual leniency on bookings – after Martinez’s substitution, they have no yellow cards on the pitch. Half an hour at half-time works in Argentina’s favour. They will benefit from the longer recovery. 

08:57pm

Half-time: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Fewest shots in a World Cup final’s first 45 minutes since 1966.

08:56pm

45+3 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Messi dogs back to hound Fabian Ruiz and latches on when the ball runs loose. Oyarzabal telescopes out a leg to try to nick the ball out of his stride and boots him on the shin. Argentina free-kick. 

Spain have been the better side but then again Argentina are like scorpions and can make a lethal strike at will. Their xG is 0.00 with no shots and no touches in Spain’s box but they won’t be fazed by that. 

08:52pm

45+1 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

The first of four minutes of stoppage time begin with Simon again nipping off his line to boot the ball upfield after it was played over the top of Spain’s centre-backs. 

08:51pm

44 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Cucurella lashes a left-foot shot across goal and past the right post. Lisandro Martinez lies down straight afterwards and signals that he needs to come off.

Otamendi → Lisandro Martinez.

The preface to the Lisandro Martinez booking was one of Argentina’s best moves. They got De Paul in a position to cross, as he did so many times against England. The difference was that this time Spain got to him quickly and stopped the cross. Then the break was on.

08:49pm

43 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Lisandro Martinez is knows as ‘the butcher’ but I prefer to call him ‘the cash machine’. Bet on him to be booked first in a game and you’re quids in over a season. 

Here he is booked for hacking Dani Olmo down after a Rodrigo De Paul cross was blocked. 

08:47pm

41 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Oyarzabal receives a cute Fabian Ruiz pass that Olmo had dnmmied to let run to the centre-forward but his daisycutter of a shot from 20 yards is easy meat for Emi Martinez.

08:46pm

39 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Alex Baena drives in from the left wing, beats Montiel on his left shoulder to cut infield but then tries to thread a very difficult pass to Olmo when a shot looked the easier route to goal. But Argentina just can’t get out. Spain have kettled them in their final third. They’re not panicking though. It’s more of a redoubt for them than the sidege they inflicted on England. 

08:43pm

37 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Excellent sliding, recovery tackle by Montiel stops Cucurella racing past him and reaching the byline. It was both crisp and a cruncher. 

08:42pm

35 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Cucurella is caught offside as Spain trigger an attack after a spell of passing triangles and parallelograms down the left. 

Rodri is running the show - Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images08:40pm

32 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Rodri leans into Mac Allister who was making a crouching run trying to creep down the outside left. Over he goes and the ref blows for a free-kick which five seconds later results in a Spain free-kick when Alvarez taps Porro’s ankle. 

08:38pm

30 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Pausa para hidratarse! Very tidy from Spain. Great at moving the ball in those triangles and then opening up the pitch in a fresh direction. They will feel that Yamal should have taken that early chance. Olmo has had some superb touches with his back to goal but also a couple where he has given up possession too easily. Argentina get anxious when they can’t get on the ball for long periods and Spain have the capacity to ramp that up. Rodri looking absolutely on it in terms of fitness and touch. A regal bearing.

08:37pm

29 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Cucurella high up the left is tackled by Enzo but Spain swarm around him like angry wasps and force him to whack a long ball that goes out for a Spain throw. Porro makes a hash of a crossfield pass but Cucurella bails him out by being alert and jumping in before Messi to head it back to Simon. 

08:35pm

27 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain press the free-kick forcing Argentina to knock it long. Rodri goes up to win the header and it catches Mac Allister’s arm before it lands. From the Spain free-kick Cubarsi leaves a back-pass to Simon short but the keeper is off his line in  a flash to ensure there’s no danage done as he launches it before Alvarez and Messi can pounce. 

08:32pm

24 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

First hydration break after Rodri tugs Messi’s shirt to concede a free-kick in the Argentina half.

Donald and Melania Trump watch as the national anthem is sung - Image Photo Agency/Getty Images08:30pm

22 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Cucurulla, one one of his raids down the left, earns his side a corner that Emi Martinez gobbles up. 

“Fifa-tina” goes the Spanish chant as Mac Allister somehow escapes without even a booking for his agricultural challenge on Olmo. 

08:29pm

20 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Porro tackles Gonzalez in the nick of time and makes it look as though it wasn’t that important as he saunters off upfield. As Spain attack up the left Enzo hams up the pain of a collision with the leg of Dani Olmo something rotten to earn himself a free-kick

That Mac Allister foul on Olmo was to test the referee’s tolerance. Should have booked him.

Mac Allister fouls Olmo - Elsa/Getty Images08:25pm

18 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

A sumptuous piece of control from Yamal takes the breath away with his velvety touch killing a long pass. But it gets Spain nowhere. 

08:23pm

16 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Baenal puts his foreram into Messi’s back as the Argentina captain trapped the ball with his chest, levering him over. The Argentina fans, who are in the majority, howl in protest. The free-kick is about 45 yards out and Rodrigo De Paul pings a diagonal, flat at head height, looking for a run down the right of the box but the ball just skips away from Gonzalez. 

08:21pm

14 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain’s tempo is relentless. Mac Allister slides in late on Dani Olmo and escapes a yellow card. Olmo essentially kicked his foot but the lunge was designed to stop Spain’s playmaker running off down the right. Deserved a booking. 

08:19pm

11 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Spain corner on the right that they take long, too long and exchange it for a throw-in. 

Yamal’s shot takes a deflection - Carl Recine/Getty Images08:15pm

8 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

The ball rebounds out of the penalty area and Argentina break with Spain over-committing. Gonzalez moves it on quickly looking for Messi to run through but Simon races 20 yards outside his box, as he did against France, to sweep up. 

The replay of Yamal’s first shot that was saved by Emi Martinez shows that it took a welcome deflection off Lisandro Martinez which helped Emi M reach it. 

Spain have been superb in these opening eight minutes. They should be ahead already. Rodri and Olmo running the game. Argentina having to work so hard just to hold them at bay.

08:12pm

6 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Yamal fizzes a pass towards the D from the right to Dani Olmo. It’s behind Olmo but takes a fortunate deflection and then Olmo feeds it back to him and he wraps his left instep around the shot, looking for the bottom left corner but bends it too close to Emi Martinez who saves it with his feet then smothers it. Rodrigo De Paul loses the ball cheaply when the keeper bowls it out to him and Yamal has another effort, lashing a shot that is blocked.

08:10pm

4 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Enzo is sitting deepest of the Argentina midfielders, dropping between the centre-backs as Paredes did against England. There’s a decent breeze and both sides have enjoyed passing the ball around for a minute or so each. Montiel grabs Baena to stop him running past on halfway and Spain have a free-kick.

08:08pm

2 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Rodri hits a pass just behind Porro and has to foul Gonzalez to stop him running away with the ball in midfield.

08:07pm

1 min: Spain 0 Argentina 0

Michael Buffer ‘treats’ us to his rendition of the teams’ names and the countdown. Insufferable. 

Right, at last, Argentina kick off and Spain snap into the press to smother the Argentina defence and win possession, sweeping ot around midfie;d and defence. 

08:05pm

Kick-off is already four minutes late

I suppose that’s not too bad given the overrun. 

08:01pm

The national anthems

Marcha Real precedes Himno Nacional Argentino.

07:59pm

Demeaning spectacle

These extra rituals have a habit of demeaning everybody they involve. As if it were not painful enough to watch Robbie Williams – something of a veteran on the World Cup stage, having also performed at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 – sing the ‘Fifa anthem’, Tom Cruise is reading a script so unutterably vacuous it could have been drafted by Gianni Infantino himself.

07:58pm

At last… the teams come out of the tunnel

Spain in red and navy, Argentina in their light blue and white home shirts with white shorts and socks.  

07:56pm

Mission impenetrable

Mario Kempes and Andres Iniesta bringing the World Cup trophy on to the pitch in a Louis Vuitton Fifa ‘trophy trunk’ just after Robbie Williams left in a shimmering blue Adidas tracksuit. This isn’t what Jules Rimet would have wanted.

 A very long speech from Tom Cruise written presumably, by someone who has never met a football fan. “Football is a language spoken without words,” says Tom C. Having heard that speech, I only wish it were true. Mercifully drowned out by the end by the fans in the stadium.

07:54pm

Trump takes his seat

Andres Iniesta and Mario Kempes raise the World Cup trophy and then put it back down to allow Tom Cruise to deliver his homily about celebrating each other through football or some such. . 

MARK J REBILAS/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters07:50pm

Oh God it’s Robbie Williams

 He is singing it with Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini and mugging at the camera as per. Thanks Chris Martin. Thanks very much.

07:47pm

Jennifer Hudson sings the US national anthem

Wayne Rooney is a fan.

They’re assembling what is already the second on-pitch temporary stage of the afternoon in the middle of the centrespot. What happens to all this stuff after the big day? Fifa eBay account? 

“Everyone is invited to be part of the half-time show,” declares its ‘curator’, Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Even by his standard of vapid bromides, that is quite the claim to make at an event where even the nosebleed seats cost £10,000 apiece.

07:44pm

State of play in the race for the Golden Boot

07:41pm

Pundits’ predictions

Wayne Rooney says “it will be comfortable for Spain”. Joe Hart thinks Argentina’s mettle and belief will see them through.  

07:38pm

President Trump en route to the stadium

Trump arrives - Patrick Smith /Fifa via Getty Images07:27pm

Trump encased

A central section of the VIP tier has been remoulded into what looks like a fully-encased shell. That would tally with the Secret Service’s previous take-no-chances measures at sporting events that Donald Trump has attended, such as last year’s Ryder Cup and this summer’s New York Knicks triumph in the NBA finals, placing the US president behind bulletproof Plexiglass.

07:23pm

That half-time show

Will apparently now feature Sesame Street, Madonna, Shakira and Coldplay? It’s not the Dagenham Girl Pipers, is it? And we’re threatened with Robbie Williams for the second part of the closing ceremony, too, before America the Beautiful and the US national anthem. Meanwhile, they have cleared the pitch for now:

Emi Martinez could go from Rotherham United to being a double World Cup-winner in 11 years tonight - CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF/EPA/Shutterstock07:07pm

Both BBC and ITV are showing the game in the UK

ITV has opted to stay in Manhattan but the BBC, as it did for the semi-final, is in the stadium. 

07:04pm

Scenes from the first half of the closing ceremony

Post Malone and Swae Lee entertain a half-full stadium - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Vincent CarchiettaIShowSpeed shakes a leg - Carl Recine/Getty Images07:00pm

Your teams in black and white

Spain Simón; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz Dani Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
Substitutes  Raya, Pubill, Grimaldo, E García, Llorente, Merino, Torres, Gavi, Pino, J García, Williams, Zubimendi, Pedri, Muñoz, Iglesias.

Argentina E Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, González; Messi, Alvárez.
Substitutes Musso, Senesi, Montiel, Barco, Lo Celso, Rulli, Palacios, Paredes, Almada, Simeone, Paz, Otamendi, López, Lautaro Martínez, Medina.

Referee Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)

06:52pm

Showtime

Spain players have been out on the MetLife pitch for the usual pre-warm-up walkabout but that won’t be happening for Argentina, who have only just arrived. The pitch has been covered, a stage erected and a drummer performance is taking place. It will all have to come off before the warm-ups. Then doubtless more ceremony pre-kick-off. That’s even before the estimated 30 minutes at half-time. In between, hopefully, we will see some football.

The MetLife pitch has now disappeared under the giant tarpaulin display (what happens to them after the tournament?) But looking at it earlier it looked very dry. The wrong shade of green, to my mind.

Messi and co have just arrived but won’t be able to go out on to the pitch… - Maja Hitij/Fifa via Getty Images… because there’s no business like show business - Elsa/Getty Images06:46pm

Behind schedule

Stadium still half empty as World Cup closing ceremony begins. We also appear to be about 15 minutes behind schedule as drummers and breakdancers open show.

The closing ceremony begins - Elsa/Getty Images06:44pm

Spain are the first squad to take to the pitch

Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS06:35pm

Coaching landmarks

If Argentina win Lionel Scaloni would become only the second man to coach two World Cup-winning teams, following Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo who won it in 1934 and 1938. 

If Spain win, coach Luis de la Fuente, 65, would become the oldest World Cup-winning head coach passing Vicente del Bosque, who was 59 when Spain won their first title in 2010.

Incidentally Spain have two teenagers in their starting XI, Pau Cubarsi and Lamie Yamal aged 19. Only three teenagers have played in World Cup finals before and all were winners – Pelé was 17 when Brazil beat the hosts Sweden in 1958, Beppe Bergomi was 18 when Italy beat West Germany in 1982, and Kylian Mbappé was 19 when France beat Croatia in 2018.

06:21pm

Argentina make three changes

Rodrigo De Paul replaces Giuliano Simeone, Gonzalo Montiel comes in for Nahuel Molina and the biggest change of all, Nico González takes Leandro Paredes’ place. 

Emi Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Nico González; Messi, Julián Alvarez.

06:16pm

Spain team news

Luis De La Fuente names an unchanged XI:

Simón; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Dani Olmo, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.

06:08pm

‘It’s hard to bet against Messi’

The guest of honour speaks. ‘Based on the numbers we will be requesting [to host] it again immediately:

05:44pm

VIPS include ‘Fifa’s World Cup legends’ – spot the ringer

From Spain Xavi, David Villa, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Hierro, Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado - ANGELA WEISS/AFPFrom Argentina, Mario Kempes - Arturo Holmes /FIFA via Getty ImagesAnd from Israel… Avram Grant (?!) - Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Global Citizen05:34pm

Meanwhile in Madrid

05:29pm

A remake of Seven on the day of the final?

Argentina fans in full kit take ‘the head of Lionel Messi’ to the stadium - Rodrigo Abd/AP05:12pm

The atmosphere’s building around the ground

Fans from opposing sides are friends ...for now - Evrim Aydin/Getty ImagesSpain are looking to add a second World Cup to their trophy cabinet - Evrim Aydin/Getty ImagesJust another day out for this youngster - Evrim Aydin/Getty Images05:05pm

Join the conversation with other readers

05:04pm

A man who knows what it feels like to win (and lose) a World Cup final

Who could forget John Motson walking us through the drama surrounding R9’s involvement in the 1998 final in Paris? Ronaldo would turn his and Brazil’s fortunes around four years later as his double downed Germany in Japan.

The legendary Brazilian striker is at the MetLife Stadium for this year’s final.

Ronaldo arrives at the MetLife Stadium - Amanda Perobelli/Reuters04:56pm

Villa Park: the site of the finalists’ only other World Cup meeting

Argentina’s Luis Artime scored goals either side of Pirri’s second-half goal as La Albiceleste defeated Spain 2-1 in Group 2 of the 1966 World Cup.

Spain fell at the group stage while the South Americans progressed to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Sir Alf Ramsey’s England who went on to win the whole thing. At least we have that...

04:42pm

Fighter jets on standby for Trump’s World Cup final appearance

Donald Trump’s attendance at the World Cup final has prompted F-16 fighter jets and military marksmen to be drafted into the biggest sporting security operation in United States history.

A no-fly zone will be fiercely guarded, snipers will be on stadium roofs and thousands of FBI agents have been drafted in to support an unprecedented operation for a football match.

Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and present the winning team with the trophy - Robert Schmidt/Getty Images

Significant delays for fans are guaranteed, the White House admitted, as it urged fans to arrive at the MetLife Stadium four hours before kick-off. The World Cup final is a “Level 1” special event – the highest possible security designation in the US.

Assessing the scale of the operation, Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Fifa Task Force, told Telegraph Sport the event is comparable to Trump’s State of the Union addresses and presidential inaugurations.

“It’s bigger than a Super Bowl, to be perfectly honest,” he said. To support New Jersey State Police, Giuliani said “we’ve layered on top many federal agencies”.

04:34pm

Rooney: If Argentina win, greatest-of-all-time debate over

This is coming from a former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo, by the way... Do you agree with Rooney?

04:30pm

Tom Cruise arrives for the final

Tom Cruise may be known for his daring, but even he has abided by the authorities’ advice and arrived well before kick-off. 

Naming every celebrity attending tonight’s match will be mission impossible, but you could not mistake this guy! 

Tom Cruise arrives at the MetLife Stadium - Angela Weiss/Getty Images04:27pm

La Furia Roja in Times Square

04:23pm

Long queues outside MetLife Stadium

Trump always causes chaos when he shows up at major sporting events – and there are already huge queues outside the MetLife.

The venue started letting fans in about 15 minutes ago, an hour earlier than originally planned to ease the pressure. But security-service checks at each gate have been causing delays and bottlenecks, which will probably get worse. Even some media and accredited staff arriving at the venue had been waiting for three hours or more. Getting everyone in on time for kick-off already looks like a challenge.

Members of the media and stadium staff wait to pass security checks - Jeenah Moon/Reuters04:19pm

Lights and cameras ready – just need some action now

04:17pm

Scenes in Messi’s home town

A giant Argentina shirt with the words “Thank you, Leo. You are a legend” is hung in front of Rosario’s national flag memorial before the World Cup final. 

Messi’s shirt hangs a short distance away from a mural dedicated to him - Marcelo ManeraMarcelo Manera/Getty Images04:10pm

Argentina the sixth defending champions to reach World Cup final

LaAlbiceleste have backed up their 2022 World Cup triumph with another deep run to the final. Scaloni’s side are only the sixth world champions to achieve the feat.

This is how the previous five fared:

  • Italy defended 1934 title in 1938
  • Brazil defended 1958 title in 1962
  • Argentina failed to regain 1986 title in 1990
  • Brazil failed to regain 1994 title in 1998
  • France failed to regain 2018 title in 2022
04:00pm

How to become a Spain supporter

OK, OK... There’s no point ignoring the elephant in the room. There will be many here who, for one night only, consider themselves Spanish. So here are some pointers on nailing your new-found fandom.

The basics

Spain are in their second men’s World Cup final, hoping to add to their sole win in 2010, which came against the Netherlands in a game best remembered for Nigel de Jong kicking Xabi Alonso in the chest and a lot of vuvuzelas.

Nigel de Jong has not been forgiven for nearly scything Xabi Alonso in two during the 2010 World Cup final - Kim Ludbrook/EPA

This time they beat favourites France 2-0 in the semi-final but have otherwise had a slow-burning low-flair tournament built on excellent defending. They drew with Cape Verde in the opening game, but have won every match since and conceded only one goal.

They are the chaps in red, not blue and white stripes.

Star players

Lamine Yamal, and that’s pronounced La-mean not La-mine. Barcelona winger and all-round magical starboy. Destined to be the subject of excitable “he turned [insert young age] just days ago!” commentary for at least the next two international tournaments, given his birthday of July 13, 2007. That makes him young enough to have once received a bath from Lionel Messi:

Hopefully this will be recreated on Sunday, perhaps in a vat of blue energy drink during one of the hydration breaks.

Rodri,evergreen Manchester City midfielder, Ballon d’Or winner, controller-in-chief of premium football matches. Benefiting from having missed most of the Premier League season with injury, so should have ample opportunities in New Jersey to execute his trademark death by a thousand passes.

03:53pm

The calm before the storm

Signage for the final adorns the MetLife Stadium - Michael Regan/Getty ImagesThe stage is set for the biggest game in football - Bradley Collyer/PAOn-site staff and members of the media queue outside the ground - John Sibley/Reuters03:47pm

Football song takes over classical music concert

On Friday, the Orquesta Estable del Colón – one of Argentina’s oldest symphony orchestras – ended their performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana to deliver a rendition of Muchachos, a song often heard at Argentina matches, with the audience clapping along and joining in. A clip of the moment went viral on X, with president Javier Milei reposting it to his 4.4 million followers.

03:31pm

The man in the middle

Slavko Vincic, the Slovenian referee, will take charge of the final. He was emotional when the announcement was made, and said: “So, first of all, a shock. Then happiness. I was shaking, so it’s an incredible honour to get the World Cup final. It’s something that.. it’s only a dream for a referee, for a young referee when they start. So, I’m very proud, very proud of myself, my team.”

Vincic will be joined by kinsmen Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as his assistants and will becomes the first Slovenian to referee the World Cup’s showpiece event. The 46-year-old oversaw the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, as well as the 2024 European Championship semi-final in which Spain defeated France. 

He was also the man in the middle for Argentina’s most recent World Cup defeat, when Saudi Arabia shocked Lionel Scaloni’s side in Qatar...

03:26pm

Belgian Grand Prix drivers nail their colours to the mast

Carlos Sainz and his entourage wore Spain shirts in the paddock - Jayce Illman/Getty ImagesFranco Colapinto also came prepared and was wearing an Argentina shirt before the race - Mark Sutton/Getty Images03:15pm

Nadal: Vamos, España!

Some words of support from Rafael Nadal, the 22-time tennis grand-slam champion, who is one of La Roja’s most notable fans. His uncle (not that one!) Miguel Ángel was capped 62 times by Spain and represented the country at three World Cup finals.  

Nadal posted on X: “Ever since I was little, football has been one of my great passions. I’ve always enjoyed playing it, watching matches and supporting the national team.

“I can still remember the thrill of being in South Africa for the 2010 final. We will never forget it!

Nadal celebrates Spain’s 2010 World Cup win with the team - Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“Tomorrow we have another chance to enjoy one of those history-making matches against a team and country which I respect and admire a lot. 

“Best of luck to the national team. Let’s go, Spain!”

02:56pm

Have your say: Spain or Argentina?

Opta’s supercomputer has run the numbers and, after 25,000 simulations, Spain were victors 59.6 per cent of the time, with Argentina at 40.4 per cent. Interestingly, Opta had Spain as their pre-tournaments favourites (16.1 per cent), with Argentina fourth (10.4 per cent).

Take your pick in this poll:

02:50pm

Tango in Times Square?

02:50pm

Iniesta: It’s a joy to see Messi in this form

Andrés Iniesta, Spain’s 2010 World Cup hero, was Messi’s team-mate at Barcelona for 14 years during the club’s most successful period. Both players were graduates of the fabled La Masia academy.

Messi and Iniesta won four Champions League crowns with Barcelona - Nick Potts/PA

On Messi’s powers at 39 years old, Iniesta told El País: “I would say the same as always, more or less, making the difference, being the protagonist, giving assists, scoring goals, doing what he’s done all his life. I believe that if he is still active at his age, it is because he continues to do so many things right – the way he takes care of himself, the way he lives for football, the people around him, and the fact that he maintains the passion and attitude to keep improving personally and helping his teammates improve. 

“Argentina has a group of players who would run through a brick wall for him. He has fully earned the respect and standing he is given. For those who love football, seeing Leo in the form he is in right now is a joy.” 

02:41pm

Pre-final flyover

Spain’s ministry of defence wishes luck to Luis de la Fuente’s sidebefore their match against Argentina with an impressive display in the traditional Rojigualda colours. Who will you be supporting tonight?

02:28pm

Messi: No matter what happens, we have written a story no one can erase

Lionel Messi last night shared a photograph of the Argentina squad and staff on his social media accounts, along with the caption: “The best part of all these years was never just the titles, but the entire journey. Sharing the day-to-day with this group, competing together, picking ourselves up during tough times, and enjoying every step of the way.

“Thank you to each of my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who works every day to ensure this national team remains a family.

“No matter what happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story we will never forget – one that no one can erase.

“LET’S GO ARGENTINA ❤️🇦🇷”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

02:24pm

World Cup final takes over the Big Apple

Spain supporters descend on New York (above), with their Argentina counterparts congregating in Times Square (below) - Patricia de Melo Moreira/Getty ImagesRyan Murphy/Getty ImagesThere was scope for pleasantries as fans from both countries mixed - Olga Federova/Shutterstock02:14pm

Preview: Messi, Yamal and Trump to take centre stage

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the 2026 World Cup final. Football’s finest talent descends on New Jersey for the showpiece event of this month-long North American sojourn, with places in sporting immortality on the line. Argentina are looking to become the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups while Spain – perhaps surprisingly – play only the second final in their history; the other being in 2010, when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands secured a breakthrough global crown for an era-defining Spain side. The two nations have only faced off once before at the World Cup: a 1966 group game at Villa Park which La Albiceleste won 2-1. 

Just eight miles separate the MetLife Stadium and Broadway, and today the spotlight falls firmly on football’s leading protagonist, Lionel Messi, with this final potentially being his World Cup curtain call. The gilded Argentine appeared to have scaled the summit by lifting the trophy that had eluded him in Qatar, but he has returned and – at 39 – has dazzled on stages across the continent all summer. Winning a second World Cup would be to achieve something Diego Maradona could not, and would only cement his legend further. Kylian Mbappé’s double in last night’s madcap third-place play-off means Messi must score two to win the Golden Boot and reclaim sole ownership of the tournament’s all-time scoring record. There has been much intrigue in the match-up between himself and Lamine Yamal, the talented Spanish teenager treading a similar path at Barcelona, not least because of that remarkable photo-shoot 19 years ago. But to reduce this final to “Messi vs Yamal” would be to diminish the talents of players such as Rodri and Julián Alvarez who are match-winners in their own right. 

Messi bathes a baby Yamal for a charity photo-shoot in 2007 - Joan Monfort/AP

This will be the first World Cup final contested between the reigning Copa América and European Championship winners, and the first disputed by two countries that share a language since the inaugural 1930 competition in Uruguay, when the hosts defeated Argentina. There are precious few shared aspects, though, between this year’s finalists’ route to New Jersey. While Spain have conceded just one goal in 630 minutes of football and controlled their semi-final against tournament favourites France, Argentina have huffed and puffed their way to the final. Extra-time was required against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and Lionel Scaloni’s side had to produce late heroics against Egypt and – grr – England. 

Donald Trump will present the trophy to the winning team’s captain, and his attendance has prompted the biggest security operation in US sporting history. The US president will be joined in the stands and VIP boxes by a glut of A-listers, and I wish my colleague who will be guiding you through the match later the very best of luck in identifying them all. This new-look final will also have a 30-minute half-time show starring Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay. Plenty to look forward to ...I think.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

Read full story at source