The largest edition in World Cup history draws to a close on Sunday, as Spain and Argentina meet in a heavyweight final, after the two teams defeated France and England respectively in the semi-finals. Both teams have shown exceptional levels accompanied by a fighting spirit that knows no surrender, earning their place in the decisive match.

Below are the key individual matchups that could play a decisive role in determining the champion.

Aymeric Laporte vs Lionel Messi

Despite celebrating his 39th birthday a few weeks ago, Lionel Messi's exceptional match-winning abilities remain unchanged. The Argentine star leads the race for the Adidas Golden Boot with 8 goals and has become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history. He also tops the playmaker list in the FIFA Player Performance Rating powered by Aramco, after recording 4 assists, two of which contributed to Argentina's thrilling comeback against England in the semi-final.

If Spain can limit Messi's influence, they will take a big step towards winning their second world title. Aymeric Laporte will be one of the main players tasked with this difficult mission; the Athletic Bilbao defender has delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament and formed a solid defensive partnership with Pau Cubarsí (19). Spain have conceded only one goal in their seven matches, and Laporte's composure and stability at the back have been among the main reasons for this remarkable defensive record.

Rodri vs Enzo Fernández

Two of the world's best midfielders are set for a direct confrontation in the heart of the pitch. Spain's captain Rodri has impressed throughout the tournament, completing 648 passes with a 93% success rate, the highest in the tournament, while covering a total distance of 83,802 meters, the most among all players. He also leads the defensive category in the FIFA Player Performance Rating thanks to his ability to disrupt opponents' attacks.

However, Rodri will face fierce competition in Enzo Fernández. After winning the Best Young Player award at the 2022 World Cup, 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 among Argentine players in the tournament.

His impact was not limited to defense; in the round of 16, he scored a header in stoppage time to complete Argentina's comeback against Egypt, before unleashing a brilliant shot in the 85th minute against England in the semi-final, bringing his team back into the match when the dream of retaining the title seemed to be fading.

Lamine Yamal vs Nicolás Tagliafico

Lamine Yamal is widely regarded as the most outstanding emerging talent of his generation, and his influence has gradually increased as the tournament progressed. The Barcelona star returned to the World Cup after missing time due to a muscle injury, and although he has not yet reached his peak, signs suggest he is approaching it at the perfect time. His speed and movement led to the penalty that gave Spain the lead against France in the semi-final, while his sixth place in the playmaking category of the FIFA Player Performance Rating underscores his creativity and ability to make a difference.

On the other hand, Nicolás Tagliafico will be tasked with stopping Yamal's threat on Argentina's left flank. The Lyon player has extensive experience, having been part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup, and is known for his toughness in one-on-one duels and tactical discipline. The 33-year-old defender has 82 caps for Argentina and played the full 120 minutes in the 2022 final against France. His experience in playing and winning the biggest matches will be a key weapon against Yamal and his teammates at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.