World Cup finalists, Spain and Argentina have balanced records in direct confrontations

In World Cups, the only duel took place in the group stage of the 1966 edition, won by the South Americans 2-1 - Luis Artime scored twice and Pirri scored for the Europeans.

All other meetings between the teams were friendlies. The biggest result came in the last duel, held in Madrid, in 2018. Spain won 6-1, with goals from Diego Costa, Thiago Alcântara, Iago Aspas and three from Isco. Without Messi, injured, Argentina scored with Otamendi.

The rout was a rematch of the previous match, played eight years earlier in Buenos Aires, a 4-1 victory for the South Americans. On that occasion, Messi played and scored once, as did Gonzalo Higuaín, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Agüero. Fernando Llorente scored the only Spanish goal.

The two teams were scheduled to play in the Final in March this year, but the match ended up being canceled due to a lack of agreement between UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and the Argentine federation on an alternative venue.

The tournament, played in a single match by the champions of the Copa América and the European Cup, would take place in Qatar, prevented from hosting the clash due to conflicts in the Middle East.

On 14 July 2024, Argentina lifted their 16th Copa América trophy after defeating Colombia 1–0 in the final. On the same day, Spain beat England 2-1 – eliminated by the Argentines in the semi-final this Wednesday (15) – to become four-time European Cup champions.

To reach their second World Cup final, the Spanish team defeated France this Tuesday (14), relying on a defense that conceded just one goal in the competition. Luis de la Fuente's team will seek their second title.

Under the command of the Lioneis -Messi and Scaloni-, Argentina is looking for the fourth.

Read Also: In a struggle, Argentina turns around, beats England and advances to the World Cup final