Both Argentina and Spain are on the heels of history as they lock horns tomorrow in New Jersey, United States of America in the grand finale of this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament.
Spain wants to win the cup for the second time in their nation’s history while Argentina is hoping to be the second nation after Brazil (in 1962) to win the tournament back-to-back. Spain won the cup for the first time in South Africa in 2010 while Argentina had their first grip on the cup in 1978 as host country, later in Mexico in 1986 with Diego Maradona as captain; and most recently in 2022 in Qatar.
Mercurial Lionel Messi will attempt this high-stakes feat when he leads his teammates out on Sunday in what promises to be a memorable showdown against Spain. Spain parades their prodigious winger cum striker, Lamine Yamal, who has not been at the top of his game in this tournament so far.
Though he won the penalty which led to one of his nation’s two goals against France in the semi-finals, Yamal was largely contained in that match.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, would bank on his team’s water-tight defence to frustrate Argentina’s attack oiled by the experience and cunning of Messi, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
Coach Lionel Scaloni of Argentina would count on his team’s never-say-die spirit to carry the day. Against teams like Cape Verde, Egypt and in deed, England, Argentina had to turn things around in the last 10 minutes of the matches. They clawed their way back from 2 – 0 down to beat Egypt 3 – 2 with just a few minutes to go, while against England in the semi-finals, it found two quick goals from the 85th minute to seal a 2 – 1 win in regulation time.
But there is no guarantee they would be that lucky against a Spain side that has remained almost invincible so far in this tournament. Their defence led by Laporte, Mac Cucurella, and co has been near perfect, while their midfield is so well organized by Rodri, Olmo et al, that many attackers have experienced it as a no-fly zone.
Spain has the talent and discipline to win this one, having conceded just one goal so far in this tournament, to get to the finals. Yamal and strike Oyarzabal will try to unravel the Argentine defence in this final showpiece. Yamal might just produce his finest moment for Spain in this game that will be 70 per cent intelligence-based and 30 per cent physical.
As a dispassionate spectator, I give the encounter to Spain, though it is very tight.
The fans will surely witness a good dose of entertainment, industry and ultimately, result on Sunday.