Argentina make three changes as Messi starts third World Cup final
Lionel Scaloni brings in Rodrigo De Paul, Nico González and Gonzalo Montiel as Argentina face unchanged Spain in East Rutherford.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Argentina have shaken up three spots for the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, with Rodrigo De Paul, Nico González and Gonzalo Montiel brought into the starting team, ESPN reported.
The defending champions face Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Lionel Messi leading Argentina into another final. According to ESPN, Messi is set to become the first man to start three World Cup finals.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has left Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina out of the XI after all three started Wednesday’s semifinal win over England in Atlanta, ESPN reported.
The Montiel selection carries a little extra World Cup weight. ESPN noted that the defender scored the decisive penalty when Argentina beat France in the 2022 final.
Old champions, familiar faces
Argentina’s lineup is packed with players who have been here before. ESPN reported that nine of the 11 starters also began the 2022 final, with Molina and Ángel Di María the two differences from that team. Di María has since retired from international soccer.
Argentina reached this final by beating England 2-1 in the semifinal, with Lautaro Martínez and Enzo Fernández scoring, according to ESPN. Their knockout path also included wins over Switzerland in the quarterfinals, Egypt in the round of 16 and Cabo Verde in the round of 32.
For Scaloni, the changes put De Paul back into midfield, González into the attacking mix and Montiel into the defensive line for the biggest match on the calendar.
Spain stick with winning XI
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has gone the other way. ESPN reported that Spain made no changes from the side that beat France 2-0 in the semifinal.
Fabián Ruiz keeps his place in the lineup ahead of Barcelona midfielder Pedri, according to ESPN. Spain’s road to the final included knockout wins over Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France.
The matchup also brings Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal together on the international stage for the first time, ESPN reported. It adds another headline to a final already carrying a bit of history.
According to ESPN, this is the first World Cup final contested by the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
Spain are appearing in only their second World Cup final, ESPN reported. Their first came in 2010, when they won the tournament for the only time.
Argentina arrive as the holders, Spain as Europe’s champions, and the final now has its team sheets: Scaloni has twisted the dial, De la Fuente has stayed put, and Messi is set for a third start on the sport’s biggest stage.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.