Spain vs. Argentina: World Cup Final Set After Messi Inspires Late Argentina Comeback

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, has its final pairing. Spain punched its ticket to Sunday’s showpiece at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night, and Argentina joined them there on Wednesday after a dramatic late comeback against England in Atlanta.

Spain ends France’s run

At Dallas Stadium, Spain reached the World Cup final for the first time since it lifted the trophy back in 2010, beating France 2-0 in the semifinal. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the box. Pedro Porro doubled the lead just after the hour mark.

It was a strangely difficult night for a French team that had scored freely all tournament, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise had outscored opponents 16-2 heading into the match, but Spain had allowed only one goal across the entire tournament. France entered as one of the favorites, having won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022.

Argentina survives another scare to beat England

England and Argentina renewed one of the World Cup’s most storied rivalries at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and once again it produced late drama. Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute, finishing off a cross from Morgan Rogers, and the Three Lions held on deep into the second half chasing their first World Cup final in 60 years.

Then Lionel Messi took over. The Argentine captain set up both of his team’s goals in the closing stages, Enzo Fernández leveling in the 85th minute with a long-range strike, before Lautaro Martínez headed home the winner in second-half stoppage time. Argentina won 2-1, extending a pattern from the knockout rounds: the defending champions needed extra time or a late comeback to get past Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland before doing it again against England.

The result means Argentina will chase back-to-back titles, a feat no team has managed since Brazil in 1962, while England’s wait for a first World Cup final since 1966 continues.

A record-breaking tournament

No matter who wins Sunday, both finalists have already made history. This is the first 48-team World Cup, expanded from the traditional 32, and it has shattered attendance records along the way. Cumulative attendance passed 3.6 million spectators during the group stage, overtaking the mark set by the 1994 World Cup in the United States, a record that had stood for 32 years. Stadiums have run at near-full capacity throughout, reflecting the appetite across all three host countries.

The final itself, on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, promises to be a spectacle beyond the football too. For the first time in World Cup history, the final will feature a full halftime show, produced by Global Citizen with Coldplay’s Chris Martin serving as creative curator.

What’s next

France and England, both semifinal losers,meet in Miami Gardens on Saturday, July 18 for the third-place match, before all eyes turn to New Jersey for Sunday’s final. The Golden Boot race adds an extra layer of intrigue to the bronze-medal game: Mbappé and Messi are tied for the tournament lead with eight goals apiece, and Mbappé will look to answer first in Miami before Messi, playing what is expected to be his final World Cup match, takes his shot in the final.

Spain will be chasing a second star on its badge against an Argentina side seeking to become the first repeat champion since Brazil more than 60 years ago.