The curtain falls on the 2026 World Cup today (Sunday) after a full month of competition among the 48 participating teams. The story will reach its climax as Spain and Argentina face off in a heavyweight final, following their respective victories over France and England in the semi-finals.

Both teams have delivered exceptional performances, backed by an unrelenting fighting spirit, to earn their place in the final. Before the anticipated showdown at the New York New Jersey Stadium, we present the potential key matchups between the stars of both sides:

A Difficult Task

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte will clash with Argentina captain Lionel Messi, the 'Flea,' whose extraordinary ability to decide matches remains as potent as ever. The Argentine star currently leads the race for the Adidas Golden Boot with eight goals. If Spain succeeds in limiting Messi's impact, they could take a major step toward securing their second world title. Aymeric Laporte will be one of the key figures tasked with this difficult mission; he has formed a solid defensive partnership with Pau Cubarsí, helping Spain concede only one goal throughout their seven World Cup matches. Laporte’s composure and consistency in the backline have been central to this impressive defensive record.

Midfield Battle

Two of the world’s top midfielders are set for a direct confrontation in the heart of the pitch. Spain captain Rodri has performed brilliantly during the World Cup, playing a pivotal role in his team's dominance by dictating play with his precise passing—completing 648 passes, the highest in the tournament, with a 93% success rate.

His physical presence has also been remarkable, as he has covered a total distance of 83,802 meters, the highest figure among all players in the tournament. His ability to disrupt opposing attacks is further evidenced by his leading position in the defensive category within the FIFA Player Performance Rankings.

Rodri will look to dictate the tempo, but he will face a fierce competitor in Enzo Fernández. After winning the Best Young Player award at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 25-year-old midfielder has continued to shine on the global stage. Fernández performs significant defensive duties off the ball, having regained possession 43 times—the highest count among all Argentine players in the tournament.

Tagliafico's Struggle

Lamine Yamal is considered by many to be the standout rising talent of his generation, and his influence has grown steadily as the tournament has progressed. The Barcelona star returned to the World Cup following an absence due to a hamstring injury, and while he may not yet be at peak form, indications suggest he is hitting his stride at the perfect moment. His speed and movement led to the penalty that gave Spain the lead against France in the semi-final, and he appeared to be in top condition throughout the match. His ranking of sixth in the playmaking category in the FIFA Player Performance Rankings underscores his immense creativity and ability to make a difference.

Nicolás Tagliafico will be tasked with stopping Yamal on the left side of Argentina’s defense, a job that could prove challenging. The Lyon player possesses vast experience, having been a member of the squad that won the World Cup four years ago, and he has continued to prove his worth in North American stadiums this year. Tagliafico is known for his toughness in one-on-one duels, along with his tactical discipline and team spirit.