World Cup 2026: how Spain plan to beat Messi's Argentina
Ahead of the July 19 final, Spain lean on the World Cup's best defense and an intimate knowledge of Messi to try to beat Argentina.
On the eve of the 2026 World Cup final, on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, Spain approach their clash with Argentina and Lionel Messi with one major asset: the tournament's best defense.
A defensive wall that has barely been breached
Across their first seven World Cup matches, Spain have conceded just a single goal:
- Group stage: 0-0 vs Cape Verde, 4-0 vs Saudi Arabia, 1-0 vs Uruguay
- Round of 32: 3-0 vs Austria
- Round of 16: 1-0 vs Portugal
- Quarter-finals: 2-1 vs Belgium
- Semi-finals: 2-0 vs France
- Tally: 6 clean sheets and just one goal conceded in 7 matches
Luis de la Fuente's plan: possession and a double pivot
Head coach Luis de la Fuente has built that solidity around a double pivot of Rodri and Fabián Ruiz, tasked with cutting off Argentina's passing lanes before they reach Messi. Ahead of them, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena and Lamine Yamal are asked to press as much as they create, in a side that averages the highest possession share of the tournament (around 58%).
The Messi question: an opponent Spain know inside out
With 8 goals, tied for the tournament's top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappé, Messi is the number one threat to Spain's defense. But several key members of La Roja share a dressing room with him at FC Barcelona day-to-day, including Lamine Yamal — often described as his heir at the club — and Dani Olmo. That closeness feeds the idea that Spain go into this final with an intimate understanding of the Argentine No.10's habits and runs.
Argentina's answer: a bumpier road to the final
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina have built their game around Leandro Paredes as the holding midfielder, flanked by Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul (averaging around 55% possession). La Albiceleste have had a rockier knockout run, conceding 7 goals in 7 matches, but showed real character by coming from behind to beat England in the semi-final with two goals in the closing stages.
See you on July 19
Spain and Argentina meet on July 19 at 7:00pm GMT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, chasing a 13th world title. Facing the tournament's best individual attacking threat in Messi, the World Cup's best collective defense is about to face its toughest exam.
