Argentina Faces Spain in Anticipated World Cup Final

Argentina will clash with Spain in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday. Argentina made a remarkable comeback to defeat England. This marks consecutive finals for Lionel Messi, who secured his first victory in Qatar in 2022. Spain will feature young talent, Lamine Yamal, making his first appearance in the final. The two teams have never played against each other before, despite a famous photo of Messi and Yamal from when Yamal was a baby.

After the final, individual awards will be determined. These include the Golden Ball for the best player, the Golden Glove for the top goalkeeper, and the Golden Boot for the leading goalscorer. Messi is in the lead with eight goals and now four assists, which acts as a tiebreaker. Kylian Mbappe holds eight goals and three assists, followed by Erling Haaland with seven goals. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, potentially facing Mbappe in the bronze medal match on Saturday, each have six goals.

Predictions for the Final

Our writers shared their thoughts on who will win the final and major individual awards.

Who will win the World Cup final and why?

• Phil Hay: Spain. They are full of confidence, appearing as if they’ve anticipated victory for some time. While much focus was on France, Spain quietly gained momentum and established a rhythm. Each position is strong and in form, and Luis de la Fuente has crafted an ideal strategy for the team.
• Carl Anka: Spain. They took time to hit their stride but peaked at the perfect moment. Rodri is back in top form, and Yamal remains a significant threat. Their strategy isn’t the pass-heavy style of Spain 2010-12, but they still excel at controlling possession.
• Henry Bushnell: Spain. The team is well-organized and operates in-sync. Their semifinal performance was impressive, controlling every French move with precision. A one-sided match on Sunday seems likely.
• Lukas Weese: Argentina. Although Spain performed extraordinarily against France, Argentina feels like a ‘team of destiny’ with multiple comebacks. They aim to secure back-to-back World Cups. Regardless of the outcome, a fantastic final is hoped for.

Are these the best two teams in the world?

• Paul Tenorio: Spain appears the strongest, but Argentina’s passion is unmatched. They play for Messi’s legacy and will have a ‘home field’ advantage. Their resilience is formidable.
• Phil Hay: These are arguably two of the best. Spain’s defeat of France felt like a final before the final. However, the undeniable fact is that the strongest four teams reach the final stages as intended by FIFA.

Individual Awards Predictions

Who will win the Golden Boot for top goalscorer?

• Phil Hay: A split between Messi and Mbappe seems likely, as they represent the tournament’s dynamism.
• Dermot Corrigan: The third-place game may offer Mbappe opportunities to surpass Messi’s tally.
• Henry Bushnell: Messi should win. His recent performance gives him a slight edge over Mbappe.

Who will win the Golden Ball for best player?

• Lukas Weese: Messi is the frontrunner. His historic tournament performance makes him the central figure for this award.
• Phil Hay: Lionel Messi. Breaking records throughout, his impact has been immense.

Who will win the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper?

• Phil Hay: Unai Simon, having conceded only one goal in seven games, is a standout choice.
• Seb Stafford-Bloor: Simon’s performance has solidified his win unless something extraordinary happens in the final.

Who will win best young player?

• Phil Hay: Likely Lamine Yamal, given his substantial role in Spain’s journey to the final.
• Carl Anka: Pau Cubarsi’s exceptional defensive abilities have marked him as a standout young talent.

Who will win the goal of the tournament?

• Phil Hay: Sidny Lopes Cabral’s goal against Argentina was remarkable for both its timing and execution.
• Henry Bushnell: Julián Alvarez’s goal, integrating impact and story, was a standout moment for Argentina.