Spain swept France, and Argentina rose to overcome England, giving the World Cup scriptwriters a perfect gift: European champion vs South American champion, with a master and his former student facing off from opposite technical areas.

Coach Luis de la Fuente's team will try to win Spain's second World Cup title, 16 years after their first victory in South Africa in 2010, while Lionel Scaloni's Argentina seeks to secure a place in history as the first country since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back titles.

But beyond the familiar fierce competition, Sunday's final has a more personal touch.

After Spain's victory over France on Tuesday, and before Argentina completed their comeback against England in the other semi-final the next day, De la Fuente surprised by saying he would be 'happy' to face Argentina.

That was not because the 65-year-old coach saw an easier path to glory. Quite the opposite. His answer was based on a friendship and relationship that began years ago at the Spanish Football Federation's coaching academy in Las Rozas, where De la Fuente was a lecturer and Scaloni was one of his students.

That was in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then a youth coach in Spain, was among those who guided the former player through his first steps in coaching.

Neither man, at that stage, could have imagined that the lessons from Las Rozas would echo all the way to the World Cup final.

Scaloni spoke warmly about that period and his relationship with De la Fuente during last year's Copa America.

Scaloni said before Argentina's quarter-final against Ecuador: 'Luis was a great help to all of us who attended the coaching course in Las Rozas. I talked to him and wish him all the best.'

The admiration was not one-sided. De la Fuente described Scaloni as a 'professor,' an unexpected title for a former student but fitting for the man who led Argentina to global and continental success.

Scaloni stated during the tournament that coincided with Euro 2024: 'I want Spain to do well (in the Euros), and he helped us players who attended the coaching course in Las Rozas a lot. I like his management style and how the players give their all for him.'

Both coaches went on to win their respective continental titles. Now they meet again, not in a classroom, but in a match where the biggest prize in football is at stake.

Deeper than a coaching certificate

Scaloni's connection to Spain goes beyond obtaining coaching certificates. His partner Elisa Montero, whom he met in 2008, is Spanish, his children were born in Spain, and he resides in Palma de Mallorca.

He also spent several seasons in Spanish football as a player, representing Deportivo La Coruña, Racing Santander, and Mallorca.

Scaloni said: 'Part of my family is Spanish, and of course, I support Spain (in the Euros).'

Speaking on Tuesday, following Spain's win and on the eve of Argentina's semi-final against England, Scaloni gave an early glimpse of the mix of friendship and competitiveness that now defines the final.

Scaloni said in Atlanta on Tuesday: 'I'm happy for him. He deserves it. He is a great man. Everything we see in his national team is what we hope to see in ours. If things don't go well for us, I'll call him. But if we play against him in the final... no. Let's hope I don't get any calls until after the final.'

It seems no calls will be made until Sunday, as talk of emotions will have to wait. Spain and Argentina have already dominated their continents. Now, the professor and his student must find out who has maintained their superiority.