The reigning world champions meet the reigning European champions in Sunday’s World Cup final, with Argentina aiming to keep hold of the trophy when they face Spain in the United States.
For England, it is a painful case of what might have been after Lionel Messi and his Argentina team-mates edged them out 2-1 with a late blow.
Spain, meanwhile, booked their place in the final with a composed 2-0 victory over France, and Luis de la Fuente’s side have conceded just once on their route to the showpiece.
So who will lift the World Cup trophy in the United States? Daily Mail Sport’s experts have delivered their predictions…
Lionel Messi is expected to make his final World Cup appearance in Sunday’s final
Mike Keegan
Spain. Why? Because they are not Argentina! Only joking — but I do think England let a huge opportunity slip. Their old rivals from South America are simply not that strong, and certainly not as impressive as England allowed them to look during that costly half-hour spell when they dropped too deep. That retreat will hurt for a long, long time. Spain, with Rodri dictating the tempo — unless Argentina manage to kick him out of the contest — can ease a little of that pain.
Matt Barlow
Spain. With no great confidence but they were my pre-tournament tip, so I’ll stay loyal. There’s no reason not to. They’re probably the most complete team. Supreme technical quality throughout. Swift and fluent, with awareness of the shapes and the spaces required to keep the ball. They have strong tactical acumen channelled through Rodri. They create and score. They have depth and options from the bench. They win the ball back quickly. They keep clean sheets, which will be put to the test against Argentina, the top scoring team at the World Cup with 19 goals, with the enduring genius Lionel Messi and a frenzy of desire when they need it most. The best attack against the best defence. Could be a classic.
Jack Gaughan
Argentina. They just have this will, this spirit and it all appears pre-written for them. Lionel Messi’s final World Cup match as a winner after so many years of hurt before 2022 would feel fitting, especially at the end of a tournament in which he has conjured such stardust on a personal level. Lionel Scaloni again proved he is more than just an extension of the players in the semi-final and sometimes there feels like unstoppable momentum for a country on these occasions. In Atlanta, it seemed Argentina were convinced of their destiny and that weight is what Spain are trying to stop.
Lewis Steele
Spain. They were my pre-tournament pick to win although I have to admit I projected the final as Spain v England. Oh well, there’s always next time. France are the team that impressed me the most throughout the World Cup but they were felled by the mighty Spain, who pass, pass, pass teams to death. They have a rock-solid defence and do not concede many chances, the midfield is elite and they have several goal-scorers. I can’t see past them to triumph.
Ian Ladyman
Spain. They were my tip before the tournament started and I am sticking with them. Argentina have been involved in three thrilling comebacks in this tournament but that just shows they have been unable to actually control games. Theirs has been a World Cup built on emotion and passion and big momentum shifts. England weren’t good enough to cope with it but Spain will be. The Euro 2024 champions scored early against France in the semi-final and completely dictated the game from that point on. We need a strong ref though! Fingers crossed.
Lamine Yamal will be hoping to get his hands on the World Cup trophy at the tender age of 19
Chris Wheeler
Spain. They have played the most consistently good football at this World Cup – if not the most spectacular – following an opening goalless draw with Cape Verde that doesn’t look so bad in hindsight, and I expect Luis de la Fuente’s side to deservedly be crowned world champions in New Jersey.
Spain showed Thomas Tuchel and England how to hold onto a lead when they went ahead against France in the semi-finals. If they can exert that level of control against the French, they can do it against Argentina as well.
The reigning world champions have sailed close to the wind in the knockout stages against Cape Verde, Egypt and England, relying on sheer belligerence and the brilliance of Lionel Messi. It has been a dogged defence of their title, but I think Argentina’s luck is about to run out.
Isaan Khan
Spain. They have been the most balanced team in the tournament. They have conceded just one goal thus far – against Belgium in the quarter-finals – and dominate possession through a stranglehold on the midfield area.
Against France, Spain showed a different side of their game, a willingness to suffer without the ball and strike with devastating efficiency when opportunities arrived.
Argentina do possess that spark in attack, which is so dangerous when ignited — as seen in the final 10 minutes against England. The South American nation have also edged a number of knockout matches in high-pressure scenarios where facing an exit to the tournament.
The Lionel Messi factor can’t be discounted, either. He can have a quiet game but then suddenly kick into gear out of nowhere, making the pivotal difference with a piece of brilliance. On the wing against England late on, the forward was unstoppable.
Though I think Spain will have the edge – as long as they cope with Argentina’s quick transitions.
Anthony Hay
Argentina. I know this will not be a popular prediction in England given all of Argentina’s antics during this week’s semi-final but I just think the world champions always seem to find a way to get the job done.
Their late wins over Cape Verde (in extra time), Egypt and England show they will fight until the very end.
Despite Rodri’s brilliance and Lamine Yamal’s eagerness to prove his stardom on the big stage, Lionel Messi will still be the best player on the pitch.
Messi’s team-mates will go the extra mile to help the superstar lift another trophy on what is likely to be his last ever World Cup appearance and maybe even the last time he dons an Argentina shirt.
Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez have shown they are not bad sidekicks to Messi while Lautaro Martinez poses a big threat off the subs’ bench.
I can see it being the perfect ending for Messi on the World Cup stage despite Spain’s impressive defensive capabilities.
James Sharpe
Spain. Any side that can control and constrict France so completely, to the point where their heralded front four of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise barely had a chance of note between them, will have no problem seeing off Argentina. Lionel Messi or no Lionel Messi.
Spain won’t retreat. Spain won’t give Enzo Fernandez the freedom of New York to fire in from 20 yards. Spain won’t let Messi have all the space in the world to put tons of crosses into dangerous areas. Spain won’t take the lead and then give up 88 per cent of the ball.
Spain will just do what they have done all tournament: press, pass and prevail.
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