Spain are appearing in the World Cup final for the first time since 2010
Argentina are looking to lift the trophy for the fourth time
Recommended bet: Spain to win @ 6/5 with LiveScore Bet
The stage is set for Sunday’s World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium, where Spain will take on defending champions Argentina.
La Roja dispatched France 2-0 in the semi-finals to reach the showpiece event for just the second time – 2010 was the last time they appeared in the final and they went on to beat the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Johannesburg.
Argentina are back in the final for the second World Cup in a row and victory in New Jersey would see them become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain this crown.
Lionel Scaloni’s side needed another comeback performance to overcome England in their last-four tie, recording a 2-1 success in Atlanta.
The latest World Cup odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina takes place on Sunday July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. The match is scheduled to start at 8pm BST.
Where to Watch
BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player all have full coverage of the World Cup final.
Outright Odds
Spain are the 8/13 favourites with LiveScore Bet to lift the trophy, while Argentina are 5/4 in this market.
It is 6/5 for La Roja to pick up the win in normal time against the Argentines, who are priced at 49/20.
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
Spain to win | Spain’s semi-final win over France extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches |
Both teams to score | Both teams have scored in Argentina’s last five matches, while Spain have netted at least once in their last six outings |
Mikel Oyarzabal anytime goalscorer | Mikel Oyarzabal scored his fifth goal of the tournament in Spain’s win over France |
Cristian Romero to be booked | Centre-back Cristian Romero, who was shown 12 yellows and two red cards for Tottenham in the 2025-26 season, was cautioned in Argentina's semi-final win over England. |
Spain made an inauspicious start to the World Cup, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde, but La Roja have been excellent since that slow opening.
Luis de la Fuente’s side registered four successive wins to nil, beating Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0), Austria (3-0) and Portugal (1-0), before their defence was breached for the first time in a 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals.
A semi-final tie against France was next for the reigning European champions, who produced a superb performance as they kept in-form forward Kylian Mbappe quiet.
Spain ran out 2-0 winners to secure their place in the final, extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches in the process, and they will fancy their chances of overcoming Argentina.
While Scaloni’s troops have done well to reach a second World Cup final in a row, they have had to dig deep in several matches and were perhaps fortunate to have progressed.
Argentina needed extra-time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the last-32 stage, had to come from 2-0 down to beat Egypt in the last-16 and again required 120 minutes to see off 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarters.
Another comeback performance was seen in the semi-final, as they conceded first against England before scoring two late goals to win the tie 2-1.
But the Argentines were helped by the Three Lions’ defensive approach, as they attempted to shut up shop when Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute.
Argentina were allowed wave after wave of attacks and the pressure eventually told, but Spain will not allow such a change in mentality if they go ahead in the final.
The likes of Rodri and Fabian Ruiz are happy to receive the ball under pressure and Spain have that ability to control possession, forcing their opponents to waste energy trying to close them down.
But the Spanish are also dogged and determined when they lose the ball and they have forced 343 turnovers of the ball at this World Cup, the most of any nation.
While Argentina have quality in their ranks, they do not have the same level of control as Spain and the defending world champions could be about to be dethroned.
Of course, any team with Lionel Messi in it is dangerous and he will need to be marshalled, but again, Spain have the players who can keep the Inter Miami forward quiet.
Argentina have had to dip into their reserves already and that is a huge concern going up against Spain, who are yet to be forced out of second gear in this tournament.
Spain vs Argentina Team news
Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro did not take part in Thursday’s training session but there are no concerns over the Spanish pair and they will retain their places in the starting XI.
Spain are expected to stick with the same side that started against France.
Argentina have no injury concerns to contend with although Scaloni may decide to make a couple of alterations from the semi-final win over England.
Giuliano Simeone failed to impress and he could drop down to the bench, with Rodrigo de Paul in line for a recall after his strong impact as a substitute against the Three Lions.
Full-back Nahuel Molina also had a tough time against England and he could be replaced by Gonzalo Montiel.
Predicted Team Line-Ups
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
Argentina (4-1-4-1): E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez; Messi.
Spain vs Argentina Stats
Spain are unbeaten in 37 games, matching the record Italy had held since 2021
La Roja have scored at least once in eight of their last nine matches
Argentina are on a 14-game unbeaten run and have scored in each of those contests
La Seleccion have not lost a World Cup match since their Group C opener against Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022
There have been three or more goals in six of Argentina’s seven games at this World Cup
Cape Verde are the only team to have stopped Spain from scoring at this tournament
Score Prediction: Spain 2-1 Argentina (at end of normal time)
The latest Spain vs Argentina odds are available on LiveScore Bet
