Spain’s wall meets Messi’s chase in World Cup final

Spain have allowed one goal in seven matches. Argentina have Lionel Messi, eight goals at this tournament and a shot at back-to-back World Cup glory.

That is the sharp-edged setup for Sunday’s 2026 men’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where a 48-team, 39-day tournament comes down to Spain against Argentina, CBS News reported.

Spain are chasing the second World Cup title in their history. Argentina, the defending champions, are trying to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive men’s World Cups, according to CBS News. Italy are the only other country to pull off that feat, doing it in 1934 and 1938.

Paul Tenorio of The Athletic told CBS News that Spain arrived as the tournament favorite and now carry a 37-match unbeaten run into the final. He said Argentina enter with their own aura after winning three straight international tournaments before this World Cup, with Messi as the team’s heartbeat.

Spain’s new generation has taken the wheel

Spain’s only World Cup triumph came in 2010, when La Roja beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg, South Africa. CBS News noted that Spain are one of only two teams to lose their opening match at a World Cup and still win the tournament. The other is Argentina.

The current Spain side is built around a younger core after the era of Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. Coach Luis de la Fuente took over after Luis Enrique left following Spain’s last-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, CBS News reported.

De la Fuente selected young players including 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 21-year-old Dean Huijsen. CBS News reported that he had worked with some members of the squad while coaching Spain’s under-19 and under-21 teams.

Lamine Yamal, also 19, has become one of Spain’s standout players. CBS News reported that he helped Spain win Euro 2024, and that the World Cup squad includes 15 other players from that Euro roster. In a “60 Minutes” interview with Jon Wertheim last year, Yamal said he had “very high expectations” and felt Spain was excited again about a serious World Cup run.

Spain’s defense has been brutal to crack. CBS News reported that goalkeeper Unai Simón went 650 minutes without conceding, the longest scoreless run at the tournament, before Belgium scored in Spain’s 2-1 quarterfinal win.

Mikel Oyarzabal has five goals at this World Cup, matching David Villa’s record for the most by a Spaniard in one tournament, according to CBS News. Oyarzabal has 22 attempts on goal, while Yamal has 23.

Messi and Argentina chase another crown

Argentina’s 2022 final win over France gave the country its third World Cup and ended a 36-year wait, CBS News reported. Now La Albiceleste are back in the final for the seventh time.

Messi, 39, has added more records during this tournament. CBS News reported that he is now the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history, with 21 goals across six tournaments. He is tied with Kylian Mbappé for the lead at this World Cup with eight goals, and he has the most attempts on goal with 34.

Messi also holds the record for most men’s World Cup appearances, with 32 matches, according to CBS News. He and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are the only players to appear in six World Cups.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni left nine players from the 2022 title squad off this roster and brought in fresh names, CBS News reported. The group still includes Enzo Fernández, who scored the equalizer against England in the semifinal from a Messi pass.

Lautaro Martinez then headed in a Messi delivery in stoppage time to send Argentina into the final, according to CBS News. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also returns to the final as the reigning Golden Glove winner and the only keeper to win the Best FIFA Goalkeeper award twice, in 2022 and 2024.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.