Sports
Spain-Argentina live: Defending champions face European powerhouse for the crown
Spain and Argentina meet in the World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with both nations seeking to etch their names in football history. The European champions face the defending world champions in a clash of styles, experience, and ambition as the tournament’s ultimate prize hangs in the balance. Follow our liveblog for minute-by-minute commentary.
Official lineups for Spain-Argentina
Spain: Simon – Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella – Rodri (c), Ruiz – Yamal, Olmo, Baena – Oyarzabal.
Argentina: E. Martinez – Montiel, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico – De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Gonzalez – Messi (c), Alvarez.
The US anthem rings at MetLife
Closing ceremony underway!
A little more than 15 minutes until countdown!
‘We always suffer but we hope for the best’, says Argentina fan in Times Square
‘I think we are going to win 3-0’, says Spain fan in New York
Less than 40 minutes until countdown!
Argentina’s starting XI
Inside La Albiceleste’s locker room
Argentina fans at the Times Square fan zone
Yamal has arrived too
La Pulga arrives at MetLife stadium!
The show begins! Closing ceremony kicks off!
And we’re off! The closing ceremony is underway with a stellar lineup of entertainment! Post Malone, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Tom Cruise headline an American-style spectacular! The world’s greatest tournament draws to a close in spectacular fashion!
Defending champions ready
Spain’s starting XI
Hello and welcome!
Welcome to our live coverage of the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina!
Two nations with contrasting styles, two legendary captains in Rodri and Messi, and one ultimate prize on the line. Follow every moment as history is written at the MetLife Stadium in this epic encounter for world football supremacy!
Spain arrive as reigning European champions, seeking to replicate the extraordinary achievements of their golden generation by winning a second Euro-World Cup double sixteen years after their 2008-2010 feat. The Roja have showcased commanding possession-based football throughout this tournament, controlling matches through their midfield superiority and collective organisation. Their ability to dictate tempo and starve opponents of the ball has proven devastatingly effective, culminating in their semi-final demolition of France.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Spanish control meets Argentinian resilience in final showdown
Argentina come as defending World Cup champions, bidding to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. The Albiceleste have displayed pragmatism and defensive resilience despite being tested repeatedly in the knockout stages. Lionel Messi leads the charge, pursuing both a second World Cup crown and potentially reclaiming the all-time goalscoring record from Kylian Mbappé, who currently stands at 22 goals.
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