Translated material
Rodri or Messi?
On July 19 at 22.00 Moscow time, Spain and Argentina will clash in the World Cup finals
Photo Zuma/TASS
It must be admitted that only zealous fans of both teams expected such a denouement. And although the Spaniards occupy second place in the FIFA rankings, and the Argentines look down on everyone, few expected that these favorites would fight each other in the main battle. But the rest of the registered monsters - Brazilians and Croats, Germans and Portuguese, French and English, Colombians and Belgians - turned out to be dangerous only on paper... And the white and blue team led by the 48-year-old handsome Lionel Scaloni and the red and yellow “gang”, managed by the 65-year-old bald Luis de la Fuente, did not come apart in the forty-degree heat and, having dealt with all the obstacles in different ways during the almost forty-day marathon, they are preparing for the big battle for gold.
...At the start of the championship, the impression was created that the Spaniards, who could not cope with Cape Verde, did not approach the World Cup in optimal condition, were in some kind of half-asleep state and did not quite understand how to properly attack and punish the opponent sitting on the defensive. But, again, this was a deceptive feeling. Moreover, as subsequent events showed, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha did not allow any team to defeat his cheerful ensemble in regular time. Including Argentina!
But seriously, the “Red Fury” did not intend, as it turned out, to cut down everyone with sabers. The current European champions, without any fuss or hesitation, calmly searched for their usual ideal regime (fortunately, the group with Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and half-dead Uruguay provided the opportunity to smoothly slide into the tournament) and went into full swing just in time for the playoffs. Everyone realized at once: Rodri and the company are still capable of lulling their guard in their trademark style and stylistically punishing any opponent for the slightest mistake.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner (I'm talking about Rodri), having recovered from a cross injury, demonstrates some extraordinary level of understanding of football and leads Spain. He anticipates moments and accurately corrects and guides partners to the right points. As former England striker Wayne Rooney aptly put it,
“Rhodri is the chef who controls the entire kitchen, scares away all the inspectors and provides a powerful creative impulse to his crew.”
Moreover, the team, where Pedri and Lamin Yamal (Barcelona leaders, from whom they expect fiery tricks) do not yet look like top five. However, the Spaniards, I repeat, are a strong team, from which no one clearly drops out one way or another. And each of those overlooking the emerald field elegantly fits into the overall mosaic, without violating the strictly romantic structure. (That’s why goalkeeper Unai Simon, bored without work, missed only the sixth match at this World Cup.) Even the creator of such a model, Luis de la Fuente, himself was pleasantly shocked by the performances of his players:
“To be honest, I am constantly surprised and do not see the ceiling of this team. It improves the game from match to match, from tournament to tournament... It's talent, sacrifice, effort, overcoming oneself..."
"Furia Roja", like a cunning bun, alternately left the Austrians, Portuguese and Belgians. And in the semi-final battle with the French, where she was predicted to collapse, she simply declassed the formidable warriors of Didier Deschamps, not allowing them to create anything worthwhile. By the way, Kylian Mbappe explained what happened in one phrase: “Spain was faithful to its plan to the end, but we were not...” And this is actually a very important fact, emphasizing the strength of the unshakable Pyrenean team, which never deviates from the chosen route. Here is another quote from Luis de la Fuente: “We had no doubt that we would cause damage to France. We have fully implemented our plan. The guys looked for free zones, overcame the first line of pressure and found comrades who cleverly positioned themselves right behind their opponents.”
During half of the World Cup, everyone criticized Argentina for the lack of a clear game. Many experts even believed that the quarterfinals would be the ceiling for the current world champions. In all honesty, Lionel Scaloni's wards risked going home even earlier. Without any glamour, but without any particular problems, the South American orchestra, which had overcome the preliminary stage, began to tickle the nerves of its fans right from the first round of the playoffs. The energetic guys from Cape Verde, the technical Egyptians, and the strong Swiss had every chance to cover Argentina... But almost every time, the long-struggling artists were pulled out of the abyss with his tricks by the gorgeous Lionel Messi, who created real unconventional magic in every meeting in difficult moments.
MATCHES OF ARGENTINA AND SPAIN AT THE 2026 World Cup
Argentina (7 wins, goal difference 19–7)Spain (6 wins, 1 draw, goal difference 13–1)
1st round
Argentina - Algeria - 3:0
Spain - Cape Verde - 0:0
2nd round
Argentina - Austria - 2:0
Spain - Saudi Arabia - 4:0
3rd round
Argentina - Jordan - 3:1
Spain - Uruguay - 1:0
1/16 finals
Argentina - Cape Verde - 3:2 (extra time)
Spain - Austria - 3:0
1/8 finals
Argentina - Egypt - 3:2
Spain - Portugal - 1:0
1/4 finals
Argentina - Switzerland - 3:1 (extra time)
Spain - Belgium - 2:1
1/2 finals
Argentina - England - 2:1
Spain - France - 2:0
Top scorer in the "goal+pass" system - Lionel Messi (8+4)
Top scorer in the "goal+pass" system - Mikel Oyarzabal (5+1)
He also saved the inferior team in the match with the English, giving two perfect assists in the end, after which Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez shook Jordan Pickford's net with precise shots.
Everyone (well, of course, except Cristiano Ronaldo) is now singing special praises to the never-aging Lionel. And they have no doubt that he already has the Golden Ball of the 2026 World Cup in his pocket, no matter how the final ends... However, there is no exact explanation for how at the age of 39 you can be the best at the World Cup. His former Barcelona teammate Xavi described the current Messi this way:
“He is constantly scanning the field, constantly assessing what is happening around him. It's all in his head. Often he just walks on the lawn - he walks, but studies everything around him. His companions pass the ball, and he remembers what the opposing midfielder is doing, where the central defender is moving, where the opponent’s problem area is formed.”
And his namesake and coach Lionel Scaloni is completely sure that “Messi will rule the roost as long as he has motivation.” However, the entire Argentine national team also has crazy motivation, which bent but did not break, fell but immediately rose (thanks to the competent decisions of its coach) and demonstrated a phenomenal will to win.
In general, it is absolutely natural that the squads, which improved greatly during the championship, eventually reached the central battle. They preach, of course, different football, but at the same time they are very similar. They depend on their unique leaders, but create with a cool head and a warm heart. Yes, sometimes it seems that the Spaniards lack the emotional sparkle and devilry in their eyes. But this is an optical illusion. How deceptive Messi is when at certain moments he moves across a rectangular green clearing at the speed of a snail and seems to switch off from the process...
It’s also interesting that the coaches of both teams are good friends. Moreover, Lionel Scaloni is also a student of de la Fuente, as he never tires of repeating:
“Louis is my first teacher, he had a huge influence on me and helped me understand many things. He doesn't dictate terms, and neither do I. He values players. And this unites us."
The Spanish coach already answered Scaloni during the World Cup: “Lionel is a world champion. And this is not mere luck, but a huge amount of work. He is already a great coach, but continues to move to new heights. I am proud to have been his teacher. And I admire him."
Well, I hope we will admire these worthy teams, which, in my opinion, have an equal chance of success. And an extra day of rest is unlikely to give Spain an advantage. But South American fans, who took out loans, sold cars and mortgaged houses to fly to the United States and create a home atmosphere for their favorites, may find themselves the 12th player.
In the meantime, read a selection of interesting statistics from the final matches of the World Cup.
- In 22 draws, Europeans won 12 times and South Americans 10 times.
- For just under half a century (from 1962 to 2006), the teams of the Old and New Worlds alternated between championships. In even numbers, the Europeans prevailed, and in odd numbers, the representatives of South America. The tradition was broken at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when the tournament was won by the Spaniards (and in 2006 the Italians lifted the World Cup over their heads). In 2014 and 2018, the Europeans won again. In 2022, the team from Argentina celebrated success (again, contrary to the “sign”). And now the forum is odd, the 23rd in a row. So?
- Throughout history, only four cases have been recorded when a team won a planetary championship that was not held on its home continent. This trick was successful twice for the Brazilians (in Sweden 1958 and in Japan and South Korea 2002), once for the Spaniards (in South Africa 2010) and once for Argentina (in Qatar 2022).
- Five times in the history of the World Cup, one of the participants in the final was its owner at that time. Italy (in 1938), Brazil (in 1962 and 1998), Argentina (in 1990), France (in 2022). And the current champion managed to defend the title twice (Italy in 1938, Brazil in 1962).
- In 11 finals, South American and European teams met each other. And only three decisive matches remained for teams from the Old World. It’s funny that the Argentines who lost to Germany (in 1990) and the Brazilians who lost to France (in 1998) were winners of previous tournaments.
- Only in three main battles did it go to penalties (in 1994, 2006 and 2022). Moreover, in the first two cases, one of the participants was Italy.
- Four times the fate of the prize was determined in extra time (in 1966, 1978, 2010 and 2014).
- In nine finals, teams met, each of which had won the World Cup at least once. This will happen for the tenth time in the United States.
- From 1930 to 1990, at least three goals were scored in the finals. The most popular scores were 3:1 (three times) and 4:2 (four times). The last result was recorded in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
- The Qatar final will be Argentina's seventh. In 1978, 1986 and 2022, the “blue and white” took gold. In 1930, 1990 and 2014 they became silver medalists. For Spain this will be the second key match in history. In 2010 they took the trophy.
- Only twice in 22 games did the future champion start the tournament with a defeat (the Spaniards in South Africa 2010 and the Argentines in Qatar 2022). This time the Spaniards overcame a goalless draw with Cape Verde... And in eighteen cases the future Cup winner started with a victory. The Argentines defeated the Algerians in the first match (3:0).
- For the first time since the introduction of the FIFA ranking, its leaders will play in the final (Argentina is in first place, and the Spaniards are in second).
- Never before has a team topped the world rankings won the cup.
- For the first time in history, the current winners of two major championships—European and World—will compete in the final.
- Only two teams managed to defend their previous title, or, more simply put, climb to the top twice in a row. Italy (in 1934 and 1938) and Brazil (in 1958 and 1962). And now Argentina has such a chance. Moreover, Lionel Scaloni may become the second coach in history to lead the national team to gold twice in a row. In 1934 and 1938, Vittorio Pozzo, the coach of the Italian national team, performed a cool trick. By the way, the captain of the Albiceleste, Lionel Messi, may be the first double gold captain in history.
- Lamin Yamal may become the youngest player in history to win the European and World Championships. By the age of 19, no one had ever managed to conquer two major tournaments.
- Luis de la Fuente may become the third coach who will alternately take over the continental and planetary forums (Helmut Schön pulled off such a trick with the German national team (Euro 1972, World Cup 1974), and Vicente del Bosque elevated the Spaniards (World Cup 2010, Euro 2012).
- Only in 7 cases out of 22 did the future champion lose during the meeting in the final match.
- A total of 7 penalties were awarded in the decisive matches of the World Cup (in regular time). It is noteworthy that in three of the five finals this right was given to the French.
- During the World Cup, Argentina and Spain met only once (in 1966, the Argentines won the group stage with a score of 1:0).
- The Spanish national team's squad includes 16 players who won Euro 2024, and Argentina's squad includes 17 Qatar 2022 world champions.
- According to the website www.transfermarkt.de, the value of the Spanish national team is 1.26 billion euros. The most expensive football player is 19-year-old Lamin Yamal (200 million euros), he is also the most valuable player among all participants along with Norwegian Erling Holland and Frenchman Kylian Mbappe. The cost of the Argentina national team is 816 million euros. The most expensive football player is Julian Alvarez (90 million euros). Lionel Messi is valued today at 15 million euros.
- The cheapest ticket for the final, which will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, is $7,380, according to ESPN.
- The referee from Slovenia, 46-year-old Slavko Vincic, was appointed as the main referee of the match. It was under him that Argentina lost its only match (to Saudi Arabia) in Qatar 2022.
ALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
1930
Uruguay - Argentina - 4:2
Judge John Langenus (Belgium)
Montevideo, Centenario Stadium
68,346 viewers
1934
Italy - Czechoslovakia - 2:1
Judge Ivan Eklind (Sweden)
Rome, Stadio Nazionale PNF
55,000 spectators
1938
Italy - Hungary - 4:2
Judge Georges Capdeville (France)
Paris, Yves du Manoir Stadium
45,000 spectators
1950
Uruguay - Brazil - 2:1
Judge George Reader (England)
Rio de Janeiro, Maracanã Stadium
199,854 viewers
1954
Germany - Hungary - 3:2
Judge William Ling (England)
Bern, Wankdorf Stadium
62,500 viewers
1958
Brazil - Sweden - 5:2
Judge Maurice Guigue (France)
Stockholm, Råsunda Stadium
49,737 viewers
1962
Brazil - Czechoslovakia - 3:1
Judge Nikolay Latyshev (USSR)
Santiago, National Stadium
68,679 viewers
1966
England - West Germany - 4:2 (extra time)
Judge Gottfried Dienst (Switzerland)
London, Wembley Stadium
96,924 viewers
1970
Brazil - Italy - 4:1
Judge Rudi Glöckner (GDR)
Mexico City, Azteca Stadium
107,412 viewers
1974
Germany - Netherlands - 2:1
Judge Jack Taylor (England)
Munich, Olympic Stadium
75,200 spectators
1978
Argentina - Netherlands - 3:1 (extra time)
Judge Sergio Gonella (Italy)
Buenos Aires, Monumental Stadium
71,483 viewers
1982
Italy - Germany - 3:1
Judge Arnaldo Cesar Coelho (Brazil)
Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
90,000 spectators
1986
Argentina - Germany - 3:2
Judge Romualdo Arppi Filho (Brazil)
Mexico City, Azteca Stadium
114,600 viewers
1990
Germany - Argentina - 1:0
Judge Edgardo Codesal (Mexico)
Rome, Olympic Stadium
73,603 viewers
1994
Brazil - Italy - 0:0 (3:2 on penalties)
Judge Sandor Puhl (Hungary)
Pasadena, Rose Bowl Stadium
94,194 viewers
1998
France - Brazil - 3:0
Judge Said Belcola (Morocco)
Saint Denis, Stade de France
75,000 spectators
2002
Brazil - Germany - 2:0
Judge Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
Yokohama International Stadium
69,029 viewers
2006
Italy - France - 1:1 (5:3 on penalties)
Judge Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)
Berlin, Olympic Stadium
69,000 viewers
2010
Spain - Netherlands - 1:0 (extra time)
Judge Howard Webb (England)
Johannesburg, Soccer City Stadium
84,490 viewers
2014
Germany - Argentina - 1:0 (extra time)
Judge Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Rio de Janeiro, Maracanã Stadium
74,738 viewers
2018
France - Croatia - 4:2
Judge Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium
78,011 viewers
2022
Argentina - France - 3:3 (4:2 on penalties)
Judge Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Lusail, Lusail Ikonik Stadium
88,966 viewers
COACHES AND CAPTAINS OF CHAMPIONS
1930 Uruguay
Captain - Jose Nasassi
Coach - Alberto Suppici
1934 Italy
Captain - Gianpiero Combi
Coach - Vittorio Pozzo
1938 Italy
Captain - Giuseppe Meazza
Coach - Vittorio Pozzo
1950 Uruguay
Captain - Obdulio Varela
Trainer: Jaun Lopez Fontana
1954 Germany
Captain - Fritz Walter
Coach - Josef Herberger
1958 Brazil
Captain - Ideraldo Luis Bellini
Coach - Vicente Feola
1962 Brazil
Captain - Mauro Ramos
Coach - Aymore Moreira
1966 England
Captain - Bobby Moore
Coach - Alf Ramsay
1970 Brazil
Captain - Carlos Alberto Torres
Coach - Mario Zagallo
1974 Germany
Captain - Franz Beckenbauer
Coach - Helmut Schön
1978 Argentina
Captain - Daniel Passarella
Coach - Cesar Luis Menotti
1982 Italy
Captain - Dino Zoff
Coach - Enzo Bearzot
1986 Argentina
Captain - Diego Maradona
Coach - Carlos Bilardo
1990 Germany
Captain - Lothar Matthäus
Coach - Franz Beckenbauer
1994 Brazil
Captain - Dunga
Coach - Carlos Alberto Parreira
1998 France
Captain - Didier Deschamps
Coach - Aimé Jacquet
2002 Brazil
Captain - Cafu
Coach - Luiz Felipe Scolari
2006 Italy
Captain - Fabio Cannavaro
Coach - Marcello Lippi
2010 Spain
Captain - Iker Casillas
Coach - Vicente del Bosque
2014 Germany
Captain - Philipp Lahm
Coach - Joachim Löw
2018 France
Captain - Hugo Lloris
Coach: Didier Deschamps
2022 Argentina
Captain - Lionel Mess and
Coach - Lionel Scaloni