Sports
World Cup 2026: Spanish control meets Argentinian resilience in final showdown
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.”
Sports
Promising filly Sword Of Legacy shines at Rosehill in 2026
Sword Of Legacy has concluded a successful week for trainer Matthew Dunn, achieving a determined victory at Rosehill. This win comes just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold silks of David Moodie’s Hesket Thoroughbreds, clinched the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
The $2.25 favourite, Sword Of Legacy, took out the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) on Saturday. This marked Dunn’s 130th win for the current season, propelling him to sixth place in the national trainers’ premiership, a testament to an outstanding campaign for the stable. The filly was a popular choice with the public, according to leading online bookmakers.
“The same colours on Wednesday won the Ramornie. We’ve had a great season,” Dunn commented.
“That’s about 130 winners for the season, and we’re fifth or sixth in the Australian premiership, so to do that from a country base is a credit to my team.”
Having achieved Group placings in Victoria as a two-year-old, Sword Of Legacy joined Dunn’s stable earlier this year and has since won three of her six starts under his care.
Dunn admitted he had been inclined to spell the filly after her last start at Eagle Farm, but Moodie persuaded him to give her another run.
“I was actually going to stop her after her last start and David Moodie convinced me to go one more,” he said.
“She’s had to dig really deep on a testing track, and I suppose it ticks another box moving forward with her career. She’s going to improve again off what she’s doing now.
“She has already performed at stakes level. She should have won a Listed race three starts back in Brisbane, and just missed in a stakes race her second start in a race.
“I think she is better than an off-season Saturday horse.”
The Grafton influence continued when the Tom Charlton and John O’Shea-trained Roselyn’s Star captured the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) in the following race. Charlton had previously won the Grafton Cup (2350m) with King Pedro on Thursday.
Roselyn’s Star, the $2 favourite, was having its first start since winning at Group 3 level in the autumn and proved a class above its competitors, winning by a comfortable 2-1/4 lengths from Grand Impact ($20).
“The key to him was when we turned him out a winner,” O’Shea explained.
“He had a nice break, he had his tail in the air coming off a win. He’s come back in, and Tom and the team have done a wonderful job preparing him today.”
O’Shea confirmed that the Magic Millions carnival next year is the long-term goal for the talented winner.
Check out the latest betting markets for the race and see who the experts are tipping.
Sports
Ryan Fox wins Open Championship, claims first major in shocking fashion
Sports
Spain v Argentina LIVE: World Cup closing ceremony ahead of Messi going for glory in final
Special guests on announcing duties
For all the eye-rolling at the USA’s antics this tournament, this addition to the World Cup is sure to be well received – for fight fans, at least.
Legendary announcing brothers, Michael and Bruce Buffer, will take to the mic and each burst a lung for the sake of the final.
Will Castle19 July 2026 19:05
The peculiar past of World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic
A story that has surprised fans this week has been the news that World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic was once wrongly arrested at a “sex party” in Bosnia in 2020, per The Sun. Vincic told Slovenian media he was attending a business lunch when a raid took place and drugs, guns and money were seized. He was later probed by police as a witness before being released, with law enforcement deciding he had nothing to do with the incident.
Vincic later told Slovenian media: “I found myself on this ranch by chance. I have my own company, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting. I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it. I was sitting at a table with my company, all of a sudden the police came and what happened, happened. I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners. Yes, they really took us to the police, asked [us] as witnesses, when it turned out that we didn’t even know them, we were able to go.”
Slovenian refereeing boss Vlado Sajn added: “According to the information we gathered from official and unofficial sources, and last but not least from Slavko himself, he is not suspected of anything, no proceedings have been instituted against him. He found himself in this place at the wrong time. He was invited to a party where there was a large group of people – he did not know the vast majority… I consider this story to be a web of unfortunate circumstances.”
Will Castle19 July 2026 19:00
Team news
Right, in all that closing ceremony excitement, we had something actually important happen: team news was confirmed!
Spain are set to name an unchanged side from the one that beat France in the semis, meaning Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro were in fact fit to start, while Pedri is benched again.
Argentina make two changes: Nico Gonzalez and Gonzalo Montiel come in for Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina.
Will Castle19 July 2026 18:57
World Cup 2026 closing ceremony
That’s your lot, for now! We’ve still been promised Robbie Williams, Tom Cruise and more for the closing ceremony, but my guess is that they’ll bring out those big guns closer to kick-off, like they did for the opening ceremony.
Will Castle19 July 2026 18:54
World Cup 2026 closing ceremony
Actually a decent turnout for the closing ceremony inside MetLife (sorry, the New York-New Jersey Stadium), considering the ticketing chaos and queues that have plagued the day for fans so far.
Will Castle19 July 2026 18:52
World Cup 2026 closing ceremony
Next up, it’s Post Malone! Sorry Speed, but this is more like it.
Walking top the centre-stage surrounded by pyro, Posty performs “Chrome Heartbreaker” before breaking into two of his bigger hits: “Wow.” and “Sunflower”.
For the latter, he’s joined by Swae Lee, who features on the song.
Will Castle19 July 2026 18:51
Line-ups
Argentina XI: E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lis. Martinez, Tagliafico; Gonzalez, Enzo, De Paul, Mac Allister; Álvarez, Messi.
Subs: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Otamendi, Medina, Molina, Paredes, Barco, Lo Celso, Palacios, Almada, Simeone, Paz, Lopez, Martinez.
Chris Wilson19 July 2026 18:51
Line-ups
Spain XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri; Olmo, Fabian; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
Subs: Raya, Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Gavi, Zubimendi, Pedri, Torres, Pino, Williams. Munoz, Iglesias.
Chris Wilson19 July 2026 18:49
Sports
Irish Open: Rory McIlroy says Bryson DeChambeau at Doonbeg would be great
McIlroy, who also confirmed he will not play again before the PGA Tour play-offs in mid-August, added that it was “fair to say” that he is no longer as enthused by the prospect of playing on the PGA Tour and in the FedEx Cup after completing his career Grand Slam of winning all four majors.
When asked why that was the case, the 37-year-old said that “it just sort of ebbs and flows”.
He explained: “There’s been years where I’ve given it maybe more of my attention and years that I haven’t. I guess I’m just at a stage that I have other things that I prioritise.
“Again, the PGA Tour is in a lot of flux at the minute with a lot of their schedule and structure and everything like that.
“So I think the change where it doesn’t matter where you are in the top 30 going into the Tour Championship, it’s like I just need to be in the top 30 going in there to have a chance to win a FedEx Cup. So why would I care about the first two?
“I sort of came to that decision last year and I’m just sort of doing the same thing.”
The world number two was left to reflect on a week at The Open in which he says he was “stuck in neutral”.
He added: “Obviously shot a good one on Friday to get myself in for the weekend and back in it. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.
“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. Just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.”
Sports
Will Trump appear at the World Cup final?
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President Donald Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winner of the match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump would deliver the trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field of New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Reece James of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on stage with President Donald Trump after Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
Infantino also said at the time that Trump would attend the contest. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the president’s attendance “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
Trump was on stage during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation after Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Earlier in the World Cup, Trump got involved in one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA’s Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump prepare to present the trophy to Chelsea FC following the World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 13, 2025. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.
The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

President Donald Trump speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup 2026 Final Draw. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C., next month.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Sports
Pro slams club, shrugs off conduct warning
Robert MacIntyre had a hard time rolling with the breaks Royal Birkdale dealt him on Sunday. The warning he received for venting his frustration? That didn’t bother him at all.
After what was reportedly his second club-slamming outburst of the day, MacIntyre was issued a code of conduct warning following his tee shot on the par-4 16th hole during the final round of the Open Championship. Asked about it afterward, the fiery Scotsman was unfazed.
“I expect to get a few of them in my career,” MacIntyre said. “Yeah, I run hot. So be it.”
MacIntyre, who began the day at three under, seven shots off the lead, teed off at 7:05 a.m. alongside Cameron Young in relatively calm conditions. While Young took full advantage, birdieing his first three holes en route to a six-under 64 and the clubhouse lead, MacIntyre stalled as any distant hopes of a Sunday charge faded. He finished the day with a one-over 71.
As the final round wore on, the wind strengthened, Royal Birkdale grew even more exacting, and emotions boiled over elsewhere, too. Even Scottie Scheffler, the game’s best player and one of its most consistent flat-liners, barked in anger after his tee shot on the par-5 17th got a less-than-favorable bounce. MacIntyre, for his part, has never claimed to be a cool customer, and he wasn’t about to apologize for it.
“I’m going to do it for the rest of my career,” he said. “I try and toe the line, but when you feel you’re playing a golf course that you can hit it pretty much anywhere and there’s no real punishment and then you do hit one slightly off line and you get the biggest punishment you can possibly get, it’s just a sore one. Again, I’m going to react aggressively at times. Part of my DNA.”
MacIntyre also made clear he wasn’t losing sleep over the warning itself.
“To be honest, I couldn’t care less,” he said. “If I got a two-shot penalty, it’s my fault. A warning, it’s my fault. I don’t really worry about it.”
Sports
Bold Soul slated for jumps career switch in 2026 after Flemington Cup win
The Patrick Payne-trained Bold Soul has proven a lucrative asset on the flat, but a move to jumps racing is now on the horizon.
Bold Soul added the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday to his tally of seven previous wins from 33 starts, with the victory pushing his career earnings beyond $800,000.
Under the guidance of jockey Jake Noonan, Bold Soul ($5.50) achieved a short-head victory over the $2.60 favourite Highland Blaze, with Tempesti ($16) a further half-head adrift in third. Bold Soul’s win was an upset, according to online bookmakers.
Harry Coffey, the rider of third-placed Tempesti, lodged a protest against the winner, claiming interference as they neared the finish. However, following a brief review, Racing Victoria stewards dismissed the objection.
Neal Greaves, representing trainer Patrick Payne, confirmed that Bold Soul is likely to contest jumps races next.
“I think the plan is, you might see a pretty nice jumper at Ballarat on August 16,” Greaves said. “I think the intention is he will have a jumps run this season.”
Greaves observed that Noonan has a unique rapport with Bold Soul.
The gelding had previously been ridden by Billy Egan for his last two placings at Flemington over 2540m and 2600m.
Noonan had secured the Tasmanian Derby and later the Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville aboard Bold Soul, marking his first time on the gelding since the Lord Reims Stakes in Adelaide earlier in the year.
“It’s interesting, as some of the riders have not found him that easy to ride,” Greaves explained. “If you can’t get him to settle, and that’s the case with a lot of horses, you’re in a world of hurt, but for some reason Jake has been able to.
“We were concerned with the weight as when the weights first came out, Ciaron Maher had one (Smokin’ Romans) in it with topweight of 60 kilos. We had 55-½ kilos, so we were a bit disappointed when Ciaron didn’t accept with his, and they pushed the weights up, but it affected everyone else as well.”
With Bold Soul potentially making a transition to jumps, it’s worth checking the latest racing odds.
Sports
Olympic champ Evenepoel wins Tour de France 15th stage
Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel beat race leader Tadej Pogacar in a sprint finish to take Sunday’s 15th stage of the Tour de France, as former winner Jonas Vingegaard crashed out.
Evenepoel edged out the reigning champion at the end of the tough 11km-long climb to the finish. Mexican Isaac Del Toro was third, six seconds back.
After Vingegaard, who started the day in second, crashed out 20km from the finish, suffering what looked like a broken collarbone, Pogacar increased his lead in the overall standings to five minutes.
Read moreDenmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, in second place in Tour de France, withdraws after fall
Evenepoel, a former winner of the Vuelta a Espana, claimed his third Tour stage victory and moved up to second overall.
Del Toro climbed from seventh to third, and also snared the best young rider’s white jersey from the shoulders of Paul Seixas.
The teenage French prodigy finished fourth, almost a minute behind the winner, with German Florian Lipowitz on his wheel.
It was a bad day for Spaniard Juan Ayuso, who lost the white jersey to Seixas on Saturday and shed another minute to the Frenchman and almost two minutes to Del Toro as he dropped to sixth overall.
Evenepoel holds second place by almost a minute from Del Toro with Seixas another 25 seconds behind that.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Sports
India vs England LIVE Score, 3rd ODI: 6, 6 – Rohit Sharma On Show At Lord’s, Nears Ton Amid Retirement Buzz
While they have included spinner Harsh Dubey for Washington Sundar, expect India to play Kuldeep Yadav today.
India Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
On the other hand, England are unlikely to tinker with the winning combination.
England Probable XI: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.
Sports
Former No. 1 recruit Vince Young now gilding son through recruiting
He’s one of the greatest recruits in the history of the State of Texas. Vince Young was the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2002. He eventually committed to Texas and led the Longhorns to the 2005 National Title. Now, among other things, he’s a father trying to help his son through the recruiting process.
Young was so hyped out of Houston Madison High School, he was was weekly feature on local TV news.
“You can’t turn on a television in Houston without seeing Vince Young. You might see him more than the Texans. He was like LeBron James in Houston when he was coming out of high school.” - Rodrique Wright former Texas defensive tackle.
VY was the only dual-threat quarterback in history with a perfect composite recruiting rating. He picked Texas over Florida State, LSU, Arkansas and Kansas State. Young was part of one of Mack Brown’s best recruiting classes, that included Rodrique Wright, Justin Blalock, Brian Robison, Kasey Studdard, Lyle Sendlein, David Thomas, Selvin Young, and Aaron Ross.
Now, the national champ is working his way though the recruiting process again. This time as a dad. VY’s son Jordan “Jayman” Young is going to be a junior at Kinkaid High School in Houston this fall. So far, Jordan’s playing time at Kinkaid has come mostly at wide receiver and as a kick returner. He want viral last season with an electrifying 100-yard kickoff return that evoked visions of his famous dad.
Just, like his father, Jordan wants to play QB. Recently, VY has been sharing posts about Jordan’s progress at the position. This summer, the Young family has been hitting the camp circuit.
“I take him to the camps in the summertime. I try to get him to whatever camp he said he wants to go to; he wants to go to the Texas camp. I make sure I’m filling that information out and getting his butt there wherever he wants to go.” – Former Texas Longhorns QB Vince Young
Young says he’s tried not to use his fame or connections to pressure anyone involved in his son’s recruitment. He’s also trying not to pressure Jordan.
“I’m just being a dad who is getting him there and trying my best as much as I can to communicate with him, teach him how to be a professional at a young age,” Young said. “So when you do step in front of these college coaches, they say, ‘Oh wow, I’m very impressed with your son,’ and that’s not just him as an athlete, but his character.”
Jordan’s recruitment is still in progress. The 2028 prospect has yet to receive any official offers. But with increased playing time in the upcoming season at one of the best private schools in the state, the offers should start rolling in. He’ll never be as coveted a recruit as his old man, but with his Dad’s guidance, Jordan should a college player soon.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Former No. 1 recruit Vince Young now gilding son through recruiting
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