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FWC Final from 6am Monday'Emotional' Argentina, Messi chase repeat World Cup win
Reuters • July 19th, 2026 9:35 am
Lionel Messi's Argentina took a step closer to defending their world title after beating England | Photo: AP
Lionel Messi and Argentina will try to become the first team to defend a World Cup title since 1962 against a Spanish side that could boast the next generation's greatest player in Lamine Yamal.
The path to Sunday's (7am Monday NZ time) final has been decidedly more emotional for Argentina, who twice came from behind and twice required extra time during the knockout phase.
That included two late goals assisted by the current generation's greatest player - 39-year-old Messi.
Alexis Mac Allister shows he has plenty left in the tank on the eve of the World Cup final | Photo: AP
Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored in a dramatic 2-1 win over slightly favoured England in Wednesday's semi-final.
But manager Lionel Scaloni said the outbursts of emotions that have accompanied each win are exactly what is needed to process such a run, which may well be Messi's last.
It's also a reflection of the seismic support that has followed the Albiceleste to stadiums across the United States.
"We've recovered something which is extremely valuable, which is the fact that people are watching our games on TV, wearing the Argentinian jersey and hugging each other," Scaloni said.
"This feeling of unity, we really feel it. People are with us, supporting us and backing us. And that's very emotional for us. And it's good to express emotions. I believe that's part of life. It's part of what we are. And that makes you even more human."
After winning Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024 with Argentina, Messi is attempting to help his homeland become the third back-to-back World Cup champion, following Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Pele's Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
Meanwhile, his teammates have been trying to embrace the moment, a luxury they didn't have in 2022 when they shouldered the pressure of ending a 36-year World Cup drought.
"I am enjoying this World Cup much more than the one in Qatar," admitted 33-year-old goalkeeper Emi Martinez through an interpreter.
"And for me, being in my fifth final with a national team ... I am eternally thankful to my teammates and I just want to enjoy. I'm going to jump on the pitch with a smile, as this is something that many players cannot achieve."
Neither the 1938 Italy nor the 1962 Brazil national teams faced a final opponent as revered as the Spaniards, the defending European champions and three-time UEFA Nations League finalists.
Other than a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their opener, Spain have rarely looked seriously in jeopardy and were dominant in a 2-0 semi-final victory over France.
And they've done all of this with only one goal from the 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who began the tournament still working back to fitness after recovering from a left hamstring strain sustained in mid-April playing for Barcelona.
The presence of Messi on the other team will bring comparisons for Lamine, whose only goal came in a 4-0 group-stage win over Saudi Arabia.
"Messi is a one-of-a-time-in-history player and he's an example, a role model for youth and younger players, his attitude, his behaviour," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said through an interpreter.
"Lamine has to be Lamine Yamal himself, and the best way we can support him is by helping him be the person we know today because he has a great potential, a great future."
Lamine Yamal is Spain's big hope for their World Cup final showdown with Argentina | Photo: EPA
Spain are looking for their second World Cup crown after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.
With Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Rodri in midfield, this group is arguably as talented, if not necessarily as flamboyant, as that group. And they insist they are just as determined to leave their own legacy.
"We are very much satisfied with the team's process, but we are far more ambitious than this," Rodri said through an interpreter.
"We have a great challenge ahead of us on Sunday ... in order to make (people) proud of this generation."
