Spain and Argentina meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Spain are in dominant form, boasting six clean sheets and an unbeaten 37-game streak inside 90 minutes. Despite Messi's heroics leading a resilient Argentina, the prediction favors Spain to lift their second World Cup trophy, largely due to their defensive solidity and cohesive gameplay. Expect Spain to secure victory and another clean sheet, with Oyarzabal tipped as a probable goalscorer. Live streaming is available via bet365 for eligible users.
After over a month of action, the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to a dramatic conclusion as pre-tournament favourites Spain target their second World Cup trophy, while Argentina look to become just the third nation in history to win back-to-back. The narratives are endless, highlighted by 39-year-old GOAT Lionel Messi coming up against teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, 19 years after this famous photo was taken.
🚨TRENDING: In 2007, Leo Messi held a baby for a photo shoot. That baby was Lamine Yamal!
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) July 15, 2026
For me, Spain have been BY FAR the more impressive team throughout this World Cup and beaten far better sides on their way to the final.
La Roja have kept an insane six clean sheets throughout the competition, which has never been done before at the World Cup. Luis de la Fuente's side are currently riding a 37-game unbeaten run inside 90 minutes and stand on the brink of history here. Spain have won five of their last six major tournament finals and completely outclassed France with a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals.
It was a tactical masterclass from de la Fuente, with Spain's midfield - led by a resurgent Rodri - controlling the game and suffocating France's attacking firepower. Pedro Porro has also emerged as one of the tournament's best fullbacks, scoring his side's second goal after Mikel Oyarzabal netted his fifth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot.
What's crazy is Spain is doing this with Yamal playing at about 50% of his capabilities after injury, while Pedri has also been dropped in recent games for Fabian Ruiz. Nico Williams has also barely seen any game time due to injury, but La Roja are such a well-oiled machine and locked in with their structure that it doesn't matter.
Meanwhile, Argentina are pure winners, there's no getting away with that - and what Messi has done at this World Cup at 39 years of age defies belief. The little master has eight goals and four assists, playing a starring role in leading Argentina into a seventh World Cup final.
But in my mind, La Albiceleste are fortunate to be here. Lionel Scaloni's side have needed extra-time or comebacks from the 75th minute in all four of their knockout games to reach the final. They are playing on borrowed time and should have been knocked out in the semi-finals if not for England bottling another big game and a tactical disasterclass from Thomas Tuchel. That final 30 minutes was Argentina's best of the tournament, but it was only because England dropped back with a ridiculous low block and invited them forward.
Spain will not make the same mistake. They are devastatingly ruthless with the ball and will simply keep possession while maintaining an attacking threat. I'm backing La Roja to win a second World Cup and emerge victorious with another clean sheet here. Oyarzabal looks the best bet to find the back of the net.
Spain vs Argentina Stats & Trends
Spain are unbeaten in their last 37 games inside 90 minutes, winning 27
Spain have kept a clean sheet in six of their seven games this World Cup
Spain have won all four of their knockout games
Spain have won five of their six major tournament finals
Argentina have won their last 14 games - but only one of those was over a top 15 nation
Argentina have required eight goals after the 85th minute this World Cup - a record
Argentina have been taken to extra-time twice in their four World Cup knockout games, while they were trailing Egypt 2-0 after 75 minutes & England 1-0 after 85 minutes
Mikel Oyarzabal scored vs France in the semi-finals, extending his goal tally to 18 from his last 23 appearances for Spain. He also scored in the Euro 2024 final
Spain scored two goals vs Belgium & France, while Argentina conceded twice vs Cape Verde & Egypt
Spain vs Argentina Head To Head
The overall H2H between these nations stands at six wins apiece with two draws. Their only previous World Cup meeting ended in a 2-1 win for Argentina in 1966. Spain were huge 6-1 winners in the most-recent friendly clash in 2018.
Spain Form Analysis
It's been an almost flawless World Cup from Spain.
After an opening 0-0 stalemate with Cape Verde, Spain have won their next six games, conceding just one goal in the process.
La Roja dominated Austria 3-0 in the R32 before grinding out a tough 1-0 victory over Portugal in the R16, with Mikel Merino popping up for a late strike.
Spain conceded their first goal of the tournament against Belgium, but regrouped strongly and never really looked in any serious danger to ultimately prevail 2-1.
Luis de la Fuente's side then prodcued their best performance of the tournament, completely suffocating France and dominating from start to finish in a brilliant 2-0 triumph. Les Bleus didn't create one big chance for the entire match, with Spain restricting their explosive attack to just three shots on target.
Spain Team News
Fabian Ruiz has been keeping Pedri out of midfield and de la Fuente is expected to stick solid with the same starting side for the final.
Predicted Spain XI: Unai Simon; Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Dani Olmo; Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal
Argentina Form Analysis
Argentina landed in a relatively soft group and were untroubled with easy victories over Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
However, things got a lot more complicated throughout the knockout stage, with Argentina on the brink of elimination on multiple occasions.
Cape Verde produced an inspired performance to force extra-time before Argentina put their foot down to edge out a 3-2 victory, while Egypt were extremely unlucky to squander a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes remaining in a match marred by VAR controversy.
Argentina were also outplayed by 10-man Switzerland for much of their quarter-final showdown, with Julien Alvarez's stunning extra-time strike sending the team through to the semi-finals.
After a fiery opening half, Argentina was again went behind after Anthony Gordon's goal early in the second stanza. However, England invited Argentina to attack and La Albiceleste took full advantage, with Enzo Fernandez scoring a brilliant equaliser before Lautaro Martinez headed home for the winner in stoppage time, with Messi on hand to provide both assists.
Argentina Team News
Giuliano Simeone came into the starting side against England to ruffle a few feathers and could retain his spot for the final.
Alvarez is expected to get the nod ahead of Martinez to partner Messi in the final third.
Argentina Predicted XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Giuliano Simeone; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Spain vs Argentina Live Stream
Watch and bet on Spain vs Argentina live football from the World Cup.
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Verdict
Spain are tipped to win the World Cup, keeping another clean sheet with a victory inside 90 minutes.
Best Bet1: Spain To Lift The Cup $1.65 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Spain Win To Nil $3.65 at NextBet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Mikel Oyarzabal Anytime Goalscorer $2.75 at picklebet - 1 Unit
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