Spain and Argentina final XIs take shape as Messi meets wall of red
CBS Sports projects the World Cup final lineups, with Lionel Messi leading Argentina against Spain’s tournament-best defense.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Lionel Messi’s chase for the Golden Boot is heading straight into the stingiest back line at the World Cup.
Argentina and Spain meet Sunday for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and CBS Sports’ Chuck Booth reports the matchup will put the champions of South America and Europe together for the title for the first time.
According to CBS Sports, Spain have conceded one goal across seven matches, with Unai Simon anchoring the competition’s top defense. Argentina arrive with Messi on eight goals and four assists, numbers that have him in the Golden Boot race entering the final.
The contrast is sharp. CBS Sports notes Argentina have scored nine goals after the 80th minute during the tournament, while Spain have scored 11 total goals. Booth writes that Spain’s control in possession has been central to their defensive strength, with Rodri limiting counters and Pedri and Fabian Ruiz helping move the ball forward.
Spain’s attack has not depended on the obvious names alone. CBS Sports reports Lamine Yamal has one goal, while Nico Williams has played only 63 minutes because of injury issues. Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino have combined for seven goals, one fewer than Messi’s tournament-leading total cited by CBS Sports.
Only Oyarzabal is projected by CBS Sports to start among those two Mikels. Booth writes that Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is expected to keep trusting the broader group that has carried Spain through the tournament.
Argentina’s setup is expected to revolve more heavily around Messi in attack, according to CBS Sports. Booth also reports that Argentina have had issues defending wide areas, and that Lionel Scaloni’s semifinal move against England, bringing Giuliano Simeone into the starting lineup in place of Rodrigo De Paul, may stick for the final.
Both teams are described by CBS Sports as mostly healthy, giving de la Fuente and Scaloni room to choose close to their preferred lineups.
Projected starting lineups
- Spain: Unai Simon; Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Dani Olmo; Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal.
- Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Giuliano Simeone; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
CBS Sports does not expect Williams to come straight into the Spain XI, with Yamal and Alex Baena projected to start wide around Oyarzabal.
How to watch
- Match: Argentina vs. Spain, World Cup final.
- Date: Sunday, July 19.
- Time: 3 p.m. ET.
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- TV: Fox in English, Telemundo in Spanish.
- Stream: Fubo, according to CBS Sports.
CBS Sports lists the odds as Spain +130, draw +195 and Argentina +275.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.