World Cup Final 2026: Argentina face Spain as Messi stars

Defending champions Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey this Sunday following a thrilling five-week tournament.

The expanded 48-team competition has delivered incredible entertainment, encompassing major upsets and standout individual performances.

However, the global spotlight remains firmly fixed on Lionel Messi as he seeks to secure back-to-back international triumphs.

Messi defies time to reach final

The 39-year-old superstar has remarkably surpassed his own statistical output from the victorious Qatar campaign four years ago.

He currently leads both the goalscoring and assist charts for the tournament having single-handedly guided his nation through the knockout bracket.

Modern-day talents such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all saw their campaigns end prematurely this summer.

In stark contrast, the veteran forward simply refused to let his team stumble on the biggest stage.

Sunday’s showpiece event will feature a fascinating subplot involving Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

The prodigious winger famously met his upcoming opponent 19 years ago during a charity photoshoot in Barcelona.

At the time, the legendary South American was pictured bathing Yamal as an infant in an image that recently resurfaced online.

It represents a remarkable twist of fate for two generational talents at opposite ends of their respective careers.

While one veteran continues to thrive, the competition served as a bittersweet swansong for several other global icons.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Kevin de Bruyne were among the aging stars making their final tournament appearances.

Brazil international Neymar famously departed the competition in tears after a shock round-of-16 defeat by Norway.

The former Paris St-Germain attacker reportedly recovered quickly enough to attend a Las Vegas poker tournament shortly afterwards.