Argentina Secures World Cup Final Spot Against Spain After Thrilling Semi-Final Victory

Argentina has booked its place in the World Cup 2026 final, where they will face a formidable Spain side. The South American champions secured their spot after a tense semi-final encounter against England, which saw Lionel Messi provide two crucial assists to overturn a deficit and seal a 2-1 victory. The final is scheduled to take place in New Jersey on Sunday.

The Athletic’s re-ranking of World Cup teams places Spain at the top, acknowledging them as the most coherent and dominant team in the tournament. Their semi-final performance against France, where they controlled the game and secured a victory with minimal fuss, highlighted their status as favorites for the final.

Por que importa

Argentina’s journey to the final has been characterized by resilience and dramatic comebacks. Despite conceding first in their third consecutive knockout game, they have consistently found a way to prevail. Their semi-final win against England, coming from behind with only minutes remaining, exemplifies this fighting spirit. While not objectively as strong as Spain as a collective unit, Argentina’s emotional drive, spearheaded by Messi, has propelled them through a series of high-octane knockout matches.

Key facts
| Team | Semi-Final Result | Final Opponent |
|—|—|—|
| Argentina | Won 2-1 vs England | Spain |
| Spain | Won vs France | Argentina |

Contexto

The defeat marks a significant disappointment for England, who, despite reaching the semi-finals for the fourth time in their World Cup history, were unable to hold onto their lead against Argentina. The loss echoes previous semi-final exits, raising questions about their ability to convert promising positions into final appearances.

France, who were defeated by Spain in the other semi-final, were unable to replicate their previous final appearances. While not considered a failure, the performance of their star-studded attacking lineup has led to discussions about potential underachievement under Didier Deschamps.

Norway’s World Cup campaign concluded in the quarter-finals after a defeat to England. Despite the loss, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time and securing a victory over Brazil marks a significant achievement for the team, signaling a bright future.

Belgium’s tournament ended in the quarter-finals against Spain. After a slow start, they found form and mounted an impressive comeback against Senegal before ultimately succumbing to a strong Spanish side, hampered by key injuries.

Morocco, unable to replicate their 2022 semi-final run, still achieved the milestone of becoming the first African nation to reach successive World Cup quarter-finals. Their campaign included a draw against Brazil and victories over the Netherlands and Canada, though they fell short against France.

The upcoming final between Argentina and Spain promises to be a compelling contest. Spain enters as the favored side, boasting superior team cohesion. However, Argentina’s improbable journey and unwavering determination, fueled by the inspiration of Lionel Messi, suggest that logic may not fully predict the outcome of this highly anticipated World Cup final.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7439982/2026/07/15/world-cup-2026-48-teams-ranked-2/

Datos clave