Spain vs Argentina Predicted Lineups & Starting XI
Spain 1 - 0 (AET) Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Final). Full-time result, predicted and confirmed lineups, formations (4-4-2 vs 4-3-3), key players including Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal and Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi, and match analysis — updated on FootballDream.
Spain vs Argentina Confirmed Starting XI
Confirmed starting XIs from official team sheets. Updated automatically when lineups are announced.
Road to the Final
- Spain reached the Final by beating France 0 - 2 in the Semi-Final.
- Argentina reached the Final by beating England 1 - 2 in the Semi-Final.
Head-to-Head Record
Spain lead the all-time head-to-head 4 wins to 3, with 1 draw, from 8 meetings since 1966. The two sides have split their last four friendlies, with Spain winning the most recent one 6-1 in March 2018.
- 27/03/2018 — Spain 6–1 Argentina (Friendly, Madrid)
- 07/09/2010 — Argentina 4–1 Spain (Friendly, Buenos Aires)
- 14/11/2009 — Spain 2–1 Argentina (Friendly, Madrid)
- 11/10/2006 — Spain 2–1 Argentina (Friendly, Murcia)
- 17/11/1999 — Spain 0–2 Argentina (Friendly, Seville)
All-time record covers full official internationals (RSSSF / national federation archives).
History & Trivia
Spain and Argentina have met only once before at a World Cup — Argentina won 2-1 in the 1966 group stage, with two goals from Luis Artime. That's the only previous meeting between these two nations at the tournament: this Final is just their second-ever World Cup match, and the first time they've faced each other on the sport's biggest stage.
Argentina are chasing a fourth star, having won the World Cup in 2022 (beating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 thriller), 1986, and 1978. Spain have won it once, in 2010, beating the Netherlands 1-0 on an extra-time strike from Andrés Iniesta — their only previous World Cup Final appearance.
Spain vs Argentina Prediction
Spain and Argentina look closely matched, and this should be a finely poised contest. Spain's biggest threat runs through Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, while Argentina will pin their hopes on Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi. It is the final — win or go home. The match is staged at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. The predicted XIs reflect current form and squad news; official lineups are confirmed about an hour before kick-off. Make your own call — predict the result, exact score and goalscorers on FootballDream before kick-off.
Tactical matchup
Spain line up in a 4-4-2, Argentina in a 4-3-3. With little between the sides, control of the central zones and second balls should decide territory. The midfield — Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo against Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister — is where the game is likely won. In a knockout tie the first goal and set pieces carry outsized weight, with caution often trumping early ambition.
Key players to watch
- Spain: Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Fabián Ruiz — 4-4-2 formation
- Argentina: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone — 4-3-3 formation
Call the result, exact score and goalscorers before kick-off — or pick your Fantasy XI for this match. Create a private league and play with friends.