TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The national teams of Argentina and Spain took different routes before securing their respective tickets to the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina was forced to rise from difficult situations several times, while Spain progressed more steadily with organized gameplay since the group stage.
The difference in their journey became one of the highlights of the final match that will take place at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on early Monday, July 20, 2026, Jakarta time. On one side, there is Argentina relying on champion mentality and experience, while on the other side stands Spain with consistent collective play throughout the tournament.
As the defending champion, Argentina arrived in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as favorites. The team under Lionel Scaloni was grouped in Group J along with Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. la Albiceleste performed convincingly in the group stage. They defeated Austria, overcame Algeria, and closed the group stage with a victory over Jordan. Nine points secured Argentina's position as the group winner, maintaining their consistency in the tournament.
However, Argentina's gameplay is no longer identical to when they won the 2022 World Cup. Ball possession is no longer the main focus. They now rely more on quick transitions, effectiveness in finishing, and senior players controlling the rhythm of the game.
The real test came in the knockout stage. In the round of 32, Argentina had to work hard before defeating Cape Verde 3-2. The match was open and showed that their defense line could still be exploited by the opponents.
Difficulties resurfaced in the round of 16 when facing Egypt. Argentina even fell behind by two goals before turning the situation around and winning 3-2. They faced a tough battle again in the quarter-finals against Switzerland. Playing with 10 players since the second half, Switzerland forced the match into extra time. Argentina only secured a 3-1 victory through two goals in extra time.
The semi-final against England became the toughest test for Albiceleste so far. Anthony Gordon initially put England ahead. However, Argentina's late rally with two goals towards the end of the match reversed the situation and secured them a spot in the final.
The journey showed that Argentina hardly ever passed through the knockout stage easily. They may not always appear dominant, but they always find a way to escape pressure. The experience of Lionel Messi and the senior players became one of the important factors in the journey to the final match.
Spain's Dominance
Meanwhile, Spain showed a different character. La Roja appeared more structured since the group stage. The typical ball possession-based style of play was maintained, but with faster and more vertical circulation. Inter-line movements made them more effective in creating opportunities, while the defensive organization made it difficult for opponents to get clear chances.
Several Spanish national footballers pose in the Group H match of the 2026 World Cup at the Akron Stadium, Guadalajara, Mexico, June 26, 2026, local time. ANTARA/Aditya Pradana Putra
This consistency continued in the knockout stage. Spain kicked off the round of 32 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Austria. In the round of 16, they eliminated Portugal with a narrow 1-0 win in a tightly contested match.
In the quarter-finals, Belgium put up aggressive resistance from the start of the match. However, Spain still managed to control the game and won 2-1 to advance to the semifinal. Their best performance came in the last four. Managed by Luis de la Fuente, they defeated France 2-0 and secured a spot in the final. This result further reinforced Spain's status as one of the most consistent teams throughout the tournament.
Unlike Argentina, which was forced to rise from pressure several times, Spain more frequently controlled the course of the match. The midfield became the center of their game, while disciplined defensive organization made it difficult for opponents to create chances. They may not always win by a large margin, but they could maintain the rhythm of the game until the final whistle.
Argentina, Spain Coaches Had History
The 2026 World Cup final also brings together two coaches with a unique relationship. Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni have previously had a mentor-mentee relationship. De la Fuente was one of the instructors when Scaloni took the UEFA Pro coaching license course at Ciudad del Futbol, Las Rozas, in 2017.
Scaloni still remembers that relationship. When talking about Spain in the 2024 Copa América, he mentioned De la Fuente as an influential figure at the beginning of his coaching career. "He was my teacher when I took my coaching courses," he said as quoted from CBS Sports. De la Fuente also expressed appreciation for his former student and referred to Scaloni as a coach with extraordinary quality.
The journey to the final shows two different approaches. Argentina arrives with a champion mentality, experience, and the ability to withstand pressure. Meanwhile, Spain relies on collective play, effective ball possession, and disciplined defensive organization. These different characters will clash in the battle for the 2026 world champion title.
Read: What to Know About 2026 World Cup Final Spain vs Argentina
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