Spain and Argentina have reached Sunday’s World Cup final by very different paths, yet both arrive hoping their gameplay will be the one to win them the world’s biggest football championship. Spain’s La Roja have looked like the tournament’s most complete team, conceding just one goal in 7 matches. Argentina’s La Albiceleste, meanwhile, have perfected the art of the comeback, twice rallying from behind to keep their bid for back-to-back world titles alive.   

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The World Cup 2026 final will also reunite two coaches whose paths crossed long before they met on the world’s biggest stage. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni completed his training under Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente.

“They know each other extremely well,” says French football journalist Xavier Barret. “Many Argentine internationals have played in La Liga, while many Spanish players have worked under Argentine coaches or alongside Argentine teammates.”

Yet despite the shared footballing roots, the identities at play could hardly be more different.

Collective precision

Spain’s route to New York has been built on suffocating opponents rather than overwhelming them. They monopolise possession, dictate the tempo and rarely lose their structure. 

“They don’t dominate relentlessly for 90 minutes, though,” Barret says. “They control games in phases. They move the ball patiently, they don’t press constantly because that’s impossible to sustain, but they make opponents chase the game.”

French sports journalist Karim Baldé believes Spain’s greatest strength lies in collective, rather than individual, brilliance and in their ability to steadily raise their level of play throughout the tournament.

Watch moreSpain dominate France and advance to World Cup final

“They started the tournament quietly, after drawing with Cape Verde, and it wasn’t sure they would even reach the final,” he said. “But they have improved with every match. Their defensive block is incredibly well-organised. The team hardly moves out of shape.”

Spain are also one of the few elite sides not dependent on a single star. 

“They can leave players like Mikel Merino on the bench,” Baldé says. “That tells you about the depth Luis de la Fuente has: He has different tactical options depending on the opponent.”    

The team’s cohesion is a reflection of a programme dating back to the mid-1990s when Spain overhauled youth coaching nationwide, introducing regional scouting and a unified possession-based philosophy inspired by FC Barcelona, Barret explains. 

The ‘M’ factor

If La Roja represents structure, La Albiceleste embodies resilience.

Scaloni’s side needed another dramatic comeback against England in the semi-finals (2-1) after trailing for much of the match, continuing a pattern that has defined their title defence.

“You always think they’re about to lose, and somehow they win,” Baldé says.

Behind Lionel Messi, he says, lies a squad willing to sacrifice everything.

“They’re soldiers in Messi’s service. Players like [Leandro] Paredes and [Alexis] Mac Allister bring intensity and aggression when it’s needed. The whole team is elevated by having him.”

“I didn’t think he’d still be playing at this level,” Barret admits. “He doesn’t run much anymore, but he stays mentally sharp. He always sees the right pass at exactly the right moment.” 

But Barret sees something deeper at play. “When Argentina are backed into a corner, they find something extra,” he adds.

“They play as if their lives depend on it. That’s very South American. They have enormous pride.”

Watch moreArgentina come from behind to beat England 2-1

That mentality has repeatedly compensated for tactical imperfections. Argentina’s defence has occasionally looked vulnerable, but they have shown remarkable composure under pressure. Against England, they finished with an extraordinary 88 percent possession during the closing stages after spending much of the game trying to find a path to victory, illustrating their ability to adapt when circumstances demand it.

Barret expects both teams to neutralise many of each other’s strengths in the final.

“They could cancel each other out,” he says. “Spain will try to control the ball. Argentina are perfectly comfortable defending deep and waiting for their moment.”

Time to shine for Yamal

For Baldé, one player could tip the balance.

“We’ve all been waiting for Lamine Yamal to produce his defining performance,” he says. “If he reaches his best level in the final, that could change everything.”

The semi-finals offered contrasting lessons in game management.

While Spain comfortably controlled France, Argentina capitalised on England manager Thomas Tuchel’s increasingly defensive substitutions. 

“Scaloni is always willing to take risks,” Barret says. “Even against Egypt earlier in the tournament, when others would protect what they had, he removed defenders and added attackers. Tuchel did the opposite against Argentina.” 

Against Spain, however, Scaloni faces a very different challenge.

“Nobody has really managed to disrupt Spain,” Barret says. “That’s why this final is so fascinating.”

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The WNBA has suspended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello without pay for one game for using the term “protected species” while referring to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese.

During the Dream’s 111-92 win over Toronto on Friday, Toronto’s Nyara Sabally fouled Reese after an offensive rebound.

As the call was being reviewed, Brondello yelled at the referees. Microphones picked her up saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species!”

ANGEL REESE DANGEROUSLY PEDDLES RACIST CONSPIRACY THEORY AFTER WNBA COACH CALLS HER TWO WORDS

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello looks on against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., on May 27, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Reuters)

The WNBA announced Saturday evening that Brondello will now miss the Tempo’s next game against the Las Vegas Aces.

“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,” the league’s announcement said.

Brondello issued a written apology earlier on Saturday.

PAIGE BUECKERS SPARKS DEBATE WITH COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN WNBA COACHES AMID CAITLIN CLARK COMPARISONS

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese celebrates a basket in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 18, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

“Angel, I’m sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after Nyara’s injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you,” she wrote.

“I also understand that my words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I’m deeply sorry for that,” she continued. “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.

“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” Brondello added. “I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”

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Toronto Tempo’s Brittney Sykes defends Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese during the first half of a WNBA game in Toronto on June 14, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)

After last night’s game, Reese made a post on social media referencing Brondello’s comment. Reese shared a post that appeared to interpret the comment as racially charged.

Brondello is from Australia, where the term “protected species” has been used in Australian sports environments to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player.

Elsewhere in sport, all eyes turn to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain and Argentina go head-to-head in a mouthwatering showdown. It’s the reigning European champions against the defending Copa América winners, with Lamine Yamal‘s Spain taking on Lionel Messi‘s Argentina. Remarkably, it’s the first World Cup final ever to pit the reigning European champions against the holders of the Copa America.

Could the Premier League be about to witness a record-breaking transfer? Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea in a €137 million deal, which would make him the most expensive English player in history.

At the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar remains untouchable. The yellow jersey claimed his fourth stage victory of the 2026 edition on Saturday with a commanding solo triumph at Marstein Fellering, finishing ahead of teammate Isaac Del Toro and French rising star Paul Seixas. At just 19, Seixas climbed to fourth overall, took over the white jersey, and became the youngest rider ever to wear a classification jersey on the Tour.

In tennis, Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ comeback continues. Down to world No. 85, the Greek will contest his first ATP final since March 2025 on Sunday, facing Belgium‘s Raphaël Collignon in Gstaad as he bids for the 13th title of his career.

Meanwhile, in Bastad, top seed Andrey Rublev will face defending champion Luciano Darderi in the ATP 250 final.

In athletics, a legendary mark has fallen. Josh Kerr shattered the long-standing world mile record on Saturday in London.

At The Open Championship, Sam Burns heads into the final round as the new leader, ahead of Ryan Fox and Kim Si-woo.

In Formula 1, teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli will start Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix from pole position.

And finally, in the World Rally Championship, Sami Pajari remains in control of Rally Estonia and is closing in on the first WRC victory of his career.

Just as the career of Tyson Fury reaches its twilight years, there is another Fury keen to burst onto the scene in James Dean Fury, who maintains that not only will he refuse to live in his cousin’s shadow, he will eclipse his legacy and become recognised as the UK’s greatest ever fighter.

The Fury name is one that is sure to stick around in the fight game long after the retirement ‘The Gypsy King’, with Hughie, Tommy and Roman all currently active in the professional scene.

Yet, a new contender is set to join that list, as three-time national amateur champion James Dean Fury prepares for his pro debut next month, where he will compete under the tutelage of uncle and world-renowned trainer Peter.

In an interview with Seconds Out, the 20-year-old spoke with eagerness when discussing his desire to carve out a legacy of his own, refusing to ride on the coattails of his two-time heavyweight world champion cousin.

“I am happy that all of my family has done well. I am happy for all of them, but this is about me now, this is the James Dean Fury show. I don’t want to live in nobody’s shadow, I don’t want to live in any of my family’s shadow. I’ll make my own way, I will do my own thing and I will create my own legacy.”

The youngster then went on to reveal lofty ambitions to become Great Britain’s best ever boxer and ‘smother himself’ in belts.

“I will be the best to come out of Great Britain. This is what is going to happen, mark my words, this is what is going to happen.” 

“My main job is picking them world titles up, everyone one of them. [I want them] all around my waits, all around my shoulders and around my ribs, I want to be smothered in them and that is what is going to happen.”

Fury will debut on the undercard of Callum Simpson and Troy Williamson’s rematch on Saturday, August 8, at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to offer the horse an opportunity to compete for a $3 million prize purse following his dominant victory in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.

This latest black-type success, following his win in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) last month, sets him on a path towards the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7. A win in that race would qualify him for the prestigious $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick, scheduled for Melbourne Cup Day.

“We’re mindful he’s had a long ‘prep’ so we’ll see how he comes through, but the initial plan is Coffs,” trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.

“We’d like to get him into the Big Dance if he can run a mile which, off that, it looks like he might.

“He has come to a new level this preparation. Even looking at him, I still don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom of him. He’s going to be a better horse next preparation.

“He’s one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He’s got better and better each preparation. He’s reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully.”

The Winter Challenge (1500m) represented Midnight Dynamite’s ($3.20 fav) fourth win from six starts this campaign. The four-year-old colt had the race under control well before the finish line, justifying his favouritism according to leading betting apps Australia.

Responding to the solid tempo set by Whinchat, he accelerated powerfully halfway up the straight to defeat his rivals by three lengths. Just Folk ($14) finished second, with General Salute ($6) a further neck behind in third.

Hilton acknowledged that the stable harboured doubts about the horse’s condition after his placing in the recent Winter Stakes (1400m), but his midweek trackwork allayed those concerns.

“Bjorn was a little bit concerned that maybe he’d come to the end of it, but his work on Tuesday was fantastic. He’s just thriving, this horse,” Hilton said.

“It was hard to even get a little bit of a cheer up there because he had them shot to pieces very early. Tommy (Berry) rode him really well, put him to sleep, and he was able to quicken up really well.”

This victory in the Winter Challenge was Baker’s second in succession, having won the event last year with Robusto.

Check out the latest betting markets for the race at betting markets for the race.

In the first 15 innings of their series with the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners had only three hits and hadn’t scored a single run. Then a man dressed as a short-spined raccoon beat four people dressed in salmon costumes during the seventh-inning stretch, and everything fell apart for the Giants in a 4-3 extra-inning loss.

And just like that, it all comes down to Spain and Argentina.

The two soccer powerhouses will look to etch their names in the history books and become World Cup champions when they play at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

For Argentina, they have the opportunity to become the first back-to-back World Cup winner since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962, and just the third country to win back-to-back titles overall. Italy first won consecutive World Cups in 1934 and 1938.

WATCH ARGENTINA VS SPAIN LIVE

(Left) Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 15, 2026. (Right) Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) reacts during warm-up ahead of the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, on July 6, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo; Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)

However, for a long time in Argentina’s semifinal matchup against England, it did not look like they were going to have a chance to make history. The Three Lions held Argentina off the scoresheet for 85 minutes, but Lionel Messi sparked another electrifying come-from-behind win.

Anthony Gordon got the scoring started when he buried a cross from Morgan Rogers to put England on the board first in the 55th minute with an acrobatic finish. Harry Kane sparked the counter with a long pass that left the Argentina defense flummoxed for the first time all game.

However, that would end up being the lone true scoring opportunity of the game for the Three Lions. After England got on the board, Argentina’s pressure was relentless, but England was able to stave off the Argentine attack for about 30 minutes.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

They finally broke through when Messi set up Enzo Fernandez just outside of the penalty box, and the 25-year-old hooked a shot around England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into the back of the net to knot it at 1-1.

Lautaro Martinez then played the hero as he came off the bench and into Argentine soccer lore by scoring the winning goal in stoppage. In the 92nd minute, Messi recorded his second assist after he gathered a loose ball and played a beautiful pass into the penalty area, where Martinez was waiting unmarked. Martinez headed the ball past Pickford to send the Argentine fans into a frenzy as they completed the comeback.

It was not the first remarkable comeback of Argentina’s run to the title game. In the Round of 16, they scored three goals in 13 minutes to erase a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt to keep their World Cup hopes alive .

How to watch France vs Spain: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals

For Spain, their run have not been quite as dramatic, but it still has been remarkably dominant.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates after converting a penalty to score his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

They have shut out their opponents in six of their seven matches, and has allowed just one goal all tournament. Belgium was the lone country to break through against Spain , but the Spaniards beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

Against France in the semifinal, Spain capitalized on an early mistake and never looked back.

Veteran French defender Lucas Digne misread the ball and challenged a ball on a cross, but kicked Lamine Yamal instead, committing a foul and giving Spain a penalty kick in the 22nd minute.

Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up for Spain and buried the penalty kick, giving the Spaniards a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Pedro Porro doubled the lead for Spain in the 58th minute, when he broke through the French defense and found the back of net after beating France goalkeeper Mike Maignan on a crisp pass from Dani Olmo.

The French desperately tried to get back into the game, but the Spanish defense was too sound for them to break through , and held on for the win.

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Pedro Porro of Spain celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 14, 2026. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

When: Sunday, July 19, 2026

Where: New York/New Jersey Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports

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Speculation over Rohit’s future has dominated the build-up to the match. However, the BCCI has made it clear that the Lord’s ODI will not be the veteran opener’s final international appearance.

Even so, Rohit will be eager to silence his critics after struggling in the first two matches of the series.

Rohit looks to rediscover his touch

At his best, Rohit is known for his effortless pull shots against pace and his ability to dominate spin. But the 39-year-old has looked far from his fluent self so far, leading to fresh debates over whether he can continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

The two-paced surface in Cardiff did not help his cause as he played nine consecutive dot balls before getting out.

A better batting wicket at the “Home of Cricket” could give Rohit the ideal opportunity to produce a trademark innings.

As India’s former captain, Rohit has often set the tone by attacking in the powerplay. His biggest challenge on Sunday will be handling the pace and bounce of Jofra Archer in the opening overs.

Gill, Kohli key to India’s batting

Current captain Shubman Gill has looked in fine touch with the bat and will be hoping to convert his start into a big hundred after throwing away his wicket in Cardiff.

While Rohit has struggled, Virat Kohli has continued to dominate the ODI format. He looked set for another century in the second ODI before falling to Archer, triggering a middle-order collapse that proved costly for India.

India will hope to avoid repeating those mistakes in the series decider.

KL Rahul’s availability also remains a talking point after Ishan Kishan replaced him in the previous game due to illness. Kishan, like several other Indian batters, found it difficult against England’s short-ball tactics.

Shreyas Iyer has been one of India’s positives in the middle order, especially with his confident batting against leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Squads

England: Harry Brook (captain), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, James Coles, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue.

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Harsh Dubey.

India’s senior swimmer Sajan Prakash said striking a balance between chasing personal best timings and winning medals is essential, stressing that while personal milestones reflect an athlete’s progress, medals bring glory to the country on the world stage. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will get underway with the Opening Ceremony on July 23 in Glasgow. The multi-sport event will be held over 11 days across four existing venues before concluding on August 2. The swimming events will be held from July 24 to July 29.

Ahead of the multi-sport event, Sajan, speaking in an interview, lauded the Sports Authority of India (SAI), saying personal best performances and medals complement each other.

“Personal best is always knowing that you have progressed. In training, a lot of times, that will replicate in the competition. And medals are very important for the country to glorify its name on the world stage. So both go hand in hand,” Sajan told reporters.

The 32-year-old Olympian also spoke about the responsibility of representing India as one of the country’s senior swimmers ahead of the Commonwealth Games, saying the responsibility remains the same irrespective of seniority, though experience brings added accountability.

“I’ve always been responsible when representing the country, irrespective of whether I’m a senior or not. But definitely, yes, I should know what to talk about, when to talk and how to talk to the media and everyone else. That is one. And my performance needs to be on point on the day of the race because there are many things that can spoil that, but I need to be much more prepared months before and days before. So definitely, yes, I have the weight on my shoulders to take it forward,” he told reporters.

For those unversed, Prakash scripted history for Indian swimming by becoming the country’s first swimmer to earn direct qualification for the Olympic Games through the qualifying standard, according to Olympics.com.

Sajan secured his place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after producing a historic performance in the men’s 200m butterfly at the 2021 Sette Colli Trophy in Rome. He clocked 1:56.38, setting a new national record and going below the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT) of 1:56.48 to seal a direct Olympic berth.

The achievement marked a watershed moment for Indian swimming, as no Indian swimmer had previously qualified for the Olympics by meeting the OQT, according to Olympics.com.

Tokyo 2020 was Sajan’s second Olympic appearance after making his debut at the Rio 2016 Games. While his Rio participation came through the universality quota, his qualification for Tokyo was earned on merit through the Olympic qualifying standard, making him the first Indian swimmer to achieve the feat.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Sajan also became the first Indian swimmer to compete in two editions of the Olympic Games, further cementing his place in Indian swimming history.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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