Lionel Messi has done it once again. At 39 years of age, the captain of Argentina has led his team to yet another FIFA World Cup final, marking his third appearance in the championship match in just four tournaments. This is an incredible chapter in a career that many thought had already reached its peak when he lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.
Back then, at 35, Messi hinted that it might be his last World Cup game. Just four years prior, after a heartbreaking loss, there were serious doubts about whether he would ever taste victory on the world stage. Now, he’s back in 2026, with Argentina aiming for consecutive titles and Messi once again at the center of the narrative.
In the semi-final against England, Messi rose to the occasion when his team needed him the most. His two assists were crucial in securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory, bringing his tournament totals to eight goals and four assists. This impressive performance places him among the joint-highest scorers and the second-highest assist provider in World Cup history. Up next is Spain in New Jersey, a nation and football culture that resonates deeply with Messi’s legendary years at Barcelona.
Spain vs Argentina: The All-Important Final
The 2026 World Cup final is set to showcase the two teams that have truly shone throughout the tournament. Spain arrives in New Jersey with an impressive unbeaten streak of seven matches, boasting six wins and just one draw, while allowing only a single goal in a whopping 630 minutes of play.
Their defensive prowess is unmatched in the competition, having kept six clean sheets in seven games, with only Belgium managing to find the back of the net against Luis de la Fuente's squad. On their path to the final, Spain netted 13 goals, including solid victories over Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0), Belgium (2-1), and France (2-0).
Mikel Merino has been a key player in the knockout stages, scoring crucial goals against both Portugal and Belgium. Additionally, their semi-final win over France marks a triumphant return to the World Cup final for Spain, their first since they lifted the trophy in 2010.
On the other hand, Argentina's journey has been nothing short of thrilling, yet equally remarkable. The defending champions head into the final with a flawless record of seven wins from seven matches, having scored a tournament-high 19 goals while conceding seven. Messi has been the driving force, racking up eight goals and four assists, directly influencing 12 of Argentina's 19 goals.
The Albiceleste kicked off their campaign with victories over Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0), and Jordan (3-1), before navigating through three nail-biting extra-time matches against Cabo Verde (3-2), Egypt (3-2), and Switzerland (3-1). Their semi-final clash with England followed a similar pattern, as Argentina came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory, owing to goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
This final will mark Argentina's seventh appearance in a World Cup final and their second in a row, as they aim for a fourth world title and their first successful title defense since Brazil last did it in 1962.
