The manager, who has now led Argentina to a World Cup title and a runner-up finish in consecutive editions, chose to focus on the effort his players put in rather than dwell on the result itself.

“Sadness, but knowing that we left everything out there. I have a lot of things I could say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it. I’m grateful to these boys for what they did to get us this far. We’re great in victory, and we have to show that we’re great in defeat too,” Scaloni said.

Despite the disappointment of falling short of a second consecutive title, the coach was adamant that the run to the final shouldn’t be diminished by the way it ended, framing the campaign as something for the country to be proud of regardless of the scoreline.

“We lost, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop remembering everything we did to get here. If you leave everything out there like they did today, it’s a great example for our people, for the country. I do remember the runners-up, because it’s incredibly hard just to get this far. Obviously we would have liked to win, but that’s how it is. When you leave everything out there like that, it’s very hard to reproach anything,” he added.

*Developing story

Yamal, who turned 19 just days before the final, becomes the fifth-youngest World Cup winner ever, while Cubarsi, also 19, slots in among the same elite company. Their achievement places them alongside legends like Pele and Kylian Mbappe, two of only a handful of players to lift the sport’s biggest prize as teenagers.

Winning a World Cup at such a young age has always been rare, and Spain’s title run adds two new names to a list that, until this tournament, only counted eight members across 76 years of history.

How many players have won the World Cup before turning 20?

Including Yamal and Cubarsi, only ten players in World Cup history have won the tournament before their 20th birthday. The group spans nine different editions, from Uruguay’s triumph in 1950 through Spain’s win in 2026, and includes representatives from four different countries: Brazil, Italy, Uruguay and France, now joined by Spain.

Chronological list of all players

• Ruben Moran (Uruguay, 1950) – 19 years, 344 days
• Pele (Brazil, 1958) – 17 years, 249 days
• Jose Altafini, listed by FIFA as Mazzola (Brazil, 1958) – 19 years, 309 days
• Coutinho (Brazil, 1962) – 19 years, 6 days
• Marco Antonio (Brazil, 1970) – 19 years, 135 days
• Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy, 1982) – 18 years, 174 days
• Ronaldo (Brazil, 1994) – 17 years, 298 days
• Kylian Mbappe (France, 2018) – 19 years, 207 days
• Lamine Yamal (Spain, 2026) – 19 years, 6 days
• Pau Cubarsi (Spain, 2026) – 19 years, 178 days

Where Yamal and Cubarsi rank among the youngest

Ranked strictly by age, Pele remains the youngest World Cup winner ever at 17 years and 249 days, followed by Ronaldo at 17 years and 298 days and Bergomi at 18 years and 174 days.

Yamal slots in just behind that trio, tied with Coutinho at 19 years and 6 days, making him the fourth-youngest World Cup winner in history. Cubarsi ranks seventh overall at 19 years and 178 days, sitting between Marco Antonio and Mbappe, whose own famous triumph with France in 2018 came at 19 years and 207 days.

Between them, Yamal and Cubarsi give Spain two representatives inside the ten youngest World Cup winners of all time, a distinction no other nation besides Brazil currently holds.

De la Fuente has continued to lean on Fabian Ruiz and Rodri as his midfield pairing, a combination that has provided balance and control during Spain‘s last two victories against Belgium and France.

Further up the pitch, the front line remains built around Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena, operating just behind Mikel Oyarzabal. It’s the same setup Spain used to eliminate France in the semifinals, and De la Fuente is trusting it once more against Argentina in the tournament’s last game.

The consistency in selection has left little room for Gavi to force his way back into the starting lineup. Despite being one of the most talented midfielders in the squad, the Barcelona player has found himself on the outside looking in as Spain’s rotation has settled around a formula that keeps winning.

Gavi’s limited role throughout the 2026 World Cup

Gavi’s only start of the tournament came in the opener against Cabo Verde, a match Spain failed to win as they were held to a 0-0 draw despite dominating possession and chances.

It was widely regarded as the team’s worst performance of the campaign, as it’s the only match they failed to win in the tournament, and Gavi hasn’t started a game since.

His involvement from that point on has been almost nonexistent. The midfielder’s only other appearance came as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32, when he was given just five minutes on the pitch. Beyond that cameo, Gavi has not featured again, watching the rest of Spain’s run to the final from the bench.

De la Fuente has settled on Fabian Ruiz alongside Rodri in a double pivot, a pairing that has given Spain more control and physical presence through the middle of the park in the tournament’s biggest matches.

Ahead of that duo, De la Fuente has built his attack around Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena operating behind Mikel Oyarzabal, who leads the team in scoring with five goals.

The setup underlines just how deep De la Fuente’s midfield options have become. Even a player of Pedri‘s caliber, one the coach has repeatedly praised as among the best in the world, cannot force his way back into a starting role that has been working for Spain when it matters most.

How Pedri’s role faded as the tournament progressed

Pedri was a fixture in Spain’s starting lineup for the first five matches of the World Cup, anchoring the midfield through the group stage and into the knockout rounds.

That run included the Round of 16 win over Portugal, a game Spain needed a stoppage-time Mikel Merino goal to escape after struggling to create clear chances, with Pedri’s performance among those that failed to stand out.

That flat display opened the door for Fabian Ruiz, who took his opportunity in the quarterfinal against Belgium, scoring the opener in a 2-1 win that sent Spain into the semifinals. Ruiz kept his place for the last four against France, starting once again as Spain booked their spot in the final, and Pedri has yet to reclaim the role he held for most of the tournament.

Unlike other contenders whose stars are racing against the clock, Spain’s headline name points in the opposite direction. Lamine Yamal will be just 22 years old when the next edition kicks off, meaning the Barcelona forward, already a World Cup finalist before turning 19, could realistically feature in three or four more tournaments beyond this one.

The same applies to much of the spine of this team. Pedri, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi will all still be in their mid-twenties by 2030, while captain Rodri and Mikel Merino should remain firmly within their prime years, giving Luis de la Fuente — or whoever succeeds him — a squad capable of chasing back-to-back finals.

Not everyone in the squad shares that outlook. Veterans such as Aymeric Laporte, Marcos Llorente, Alex Grimaldo and Borja Iglesias will all be past 34 by the next tournament, leaving their participation far less certain than that of their younger teammates.

Spain team’s age in 2030

Over six editions, spanning Argentina’s run from a promising teenager in 2006 to a champion in 2022 and now a closing chapter in 2026, Messi has built a resume that stretches well beyond the goals column.

For years, the tournament’s most prestigious individual marks were scattered among some of the sport’s biggest icons. Miroslav Klose stood alone atop the all-time scoring charts, while Pele and Diego Maradona held court over the playmaking and knockout-stage categories.

Messi entered this conversation gradually, adding to his tally tournament after tournament, until what once looked like a collection of separate records became a single, unmistakable takeover. By the time Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar, most of those marks already belonged to him.

Even with the final against Spain still to be played, Messi has one last chance to overtake Kylian Mbappe as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, with the Frenchman topping the charts at 22 goals while the Argentine trails with 21.

World Cup records before Messi’s appearance

• Most goals — Miroslav Klose.
• Most assists — Diego Maradona.
• Most goal contributions — Pele.
• Most dribbles — Diego Maradona.
• Most chances created — Diego Maradona.
• Most goal contributions in the knockout stages — Pele.
• Most Player of the Match awards — Wesley Sneijder.
• Most Golden Ball awards — Zinedine Zidane, tied with others.

World Cup records now held by Messi

• Most assists — Lionel Messi
• Most goal contributions — Lionel Messi
• Most dribbles — Lionel Messi
• Most chances created — Lionel Messi
• Most goal contributions in the knockout stages — Lionel Messi
• Most Player of the Match awards — Lionel Messi
• Most Golden Ball awards — Lionel Messi

According to ESPN’s Martin Arevalo, the Inter Miami midfielder is expected to return to Argentina’s starting lineup against Spain, reclaiming his spot in midfield after starting the semifinal win over England from the bench.

Lionel Scaloni is reportedly planning two changes to the side that beat England, both coming on the right side of the field. Alongside De Paul‘s return, Gonzalo Montiel is in line to start at right-back, with Nahuel Molina expected to make way.

Argentine insider Gaston Edul reported that while the lineup will be finalized by tomorrow at noon, Scaloni left both Nicolas Gonzalez and Molina out of the starters during Argentina’s final training session.

In a press conference ahead of the match, Scaloni confirmed he still hasn’t settled on a team, noting that several players aren’t at 100% and that he’ll wait to see their condition on Sunday before finalizing his lineup.

“We’re focused on rest right now. Based on that, we’ll see how they’re doing. Because there are players who aren’t at 100%. We’ll see how they are, and then decide what team we put out on Sunday,” the Argentina coach said.

Argentina’s potential lineup

Should the reports from Argentina’s insiders be confirmed, this would be the team to face Spain: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.

The biggest uncertainty belongs to Kane, who will be 36 years old by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives. The forward himself has stopped short of ruling it out, saying it’s too early to say and that he’s taking his career year by year rather than committing to another cycle.

Much of the rest of England‘s attack and midfield should still be well within their prime. Jude Bellingham will be just 27 in 2030, and several of the younger players who broke through during this tournament should form the backbone of the next squad as the team transitions away from its current veterans.

While most of the squad will still be young enough to form part of the team chasing a second title in 2030, some of the more experienced players — like Jordan Henderson, John Stones, Dan Burn, and Jordan Pickford — will have to wait and see where they stand by then.

England team’s age in 2030

England dominated the first half, with Bukayo Saka scoring twice by the 45th minute to help push the lead to 4-0 at the break. Mbappe pulled one back just after the restart, converting in the 48th minute to spark France’s comeback and surpass Messi atop the Golden Boot standings.

France kept pushing, with Bradley Barcola making it 4-2 off a Mbappe assist, before Mbappe struck again in the 66th minute to complete the brace and drag his team right back into the match.

With those two goals, Mbappe reached 10 goals for the 2026 World Cup alone, moving clear of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, while also completing one of the most dramatic individual turnarounds of the tournament in a match that started as a rout.

Mbappe’s brace vs England

Messi still has a chance to reclaim the record

Mbappe went into the match with 20 career World Cup goals, one behind Messi’s all-time record of 21. His brace against England pushes him to 22, putting him one clear at the top of the list, with Miroslav Klose a distant third on 16.

Messi’s tournament isn’t over, though. Argentina still have Sunday’s final against Spain to play, meaning the Argentine captain has one more chance to respond. A single goal in the final would pull him level with Mbappe at 22, while two goals would be enough to reclaim the record outright before the 2026 World Cup comes to a close.

It’s the latest change in a reshuffled back line for manager Didier Deschamps, who has also brought in Maxence Lacroix and Ibrahima Konate at center-back in place of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba, leaving the defense looking noticeably different from the one that carried France through the tournament.

With no trophy left to play for after Tuesday’s semifinal defeat to Spain, Deschamps has treated the match as a chance to spread minutes around the squad rather than lean on his usual starters.

Kounde’s role in France’s run to the semifinals

Kounde was a fixture at right-back for most of the tournament, starting five matches and helping France to three clean sheets along the way.

He played all three group games during France’s perfect run through the opening round, then delivered a composed 87-minute shift in the quarterfinal win over Morocco, contributing an interception and five clearances to help shut out the Moroccans.

Defensively sound and reliable in possession throughout, Kounde’s absence from the lineup Saturday says more about a low-stakes fixture than anything about his form over the past month.

For this game, Deschamps opted for Maxence Lacroix and Ibrahima Konate to form France‘s center-back pairing, with Malo Gusto and Theo Hernandez deployed at fullback.

With the tournament’s biggest prize already out of reach after the semifinal loss to Spain, Deschamps has used the match to give minutes to players who haven’t featured as heavily, rotating his backline entirely.

Deschamps rolls out several changes

Upamecano’s omission from a starting lineup he’d been a regular fixture in throughout the tournament isn’t the only change Deschamps has made for the third-place match against England.

Beyond the already-mentioned overhaul at the back, the coach has also decided to hand minutes to Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, and Desire Doue, all of whom had been used mainly as substitutes in previous matches.

The changes aren’t wholesale, though, as Mike Maignan, Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappe all remain in the starting lineup at Miami Stadium. The France captain still has a chance to fight for the Golden Boot, where he’s tied atop the standings with Lionel Messi on eight goals apiece.

In his place, Dean Henderson is set to make his World Cup debut in goal, getting a rare opportunity after spending the entire tournament as Pickford’s understudy.

As happens with Harry Kane, the decision has nothing to do with fitness or form. Pickford has been one of England‘s most reliable performers throughout the tournament, but with the match holding little competitive weight now that the final is out of reach, Tuchel has opted to give Henderson his first taste of World Cup action.

Jordan Pickford’s great World Cup campaign

Pickford leaves this tournament having delivered a strong campaign between the posts. Across seven appearances, he kept two clean sheets and made 12 saves, numbers that put him ahead of several of the tournament’s other elite goalkeepers.

While he conceded eight goals across the tournament, his five-save performance against Norway helped send England through to the semifinal against Argentina, where he was once again crucial, denying his opponents on several occasions.

Also, following the quarterfinal match against Norway, Pickford made his 18th World Cup appearance, breaking Peter Shilton’s long-standing record as England’s most-capped player in the tournament’s history.

In his place, Ivan Toney is set to lead the line, getting his first start of the tournament after spending the entire competition as a squad option behind Kane.

The decision has nothing to do with fitness or form. Kane has been fully available and remains one of the tournament’s standout performers, but with the third-place match carrying little weight on the bigger picture, Tuchel has opted to give Toney a chance to get minutes on the sport’s biggest stage.

It’s a low-risk call for Tuchel, who can afford to rotate now that England‘s title hopes have already ended, while still being able to bring Kane on later in the match if the situation calls for it.

Harry Kane’s outstanding World Cup

Kane leaves this tournament having delivered one of the best individual campaigns of his career. The England captain started all six of his side’s matches, finishing with 6 goals and 1 assist, tied for third among the tournament’s top scorers.

Along the way, he broke Gary Lineker’s long-standing record to become England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer, moved past Pele on the all-time World Cup goals list, and pulled level with France great Just Fontaine on 13 career World Cup goals.

He also became just the sixth player in history to score five or more goals at two different World Cups, joining a list that includes Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.

In his place, Deschamps is expected to turn to Maxence Lacroix, who already stepped in for Saliba during the semifinal loss to Spain and is favored over Ibrahima Konate given his familiarity on the left side of central defense.

Saliba was Deschamps’ undisputed starting center back throughout the tournament alongside Dayot Upamecano, though it now appears the Arsenal defender was playing through his injury for the entire World Cup.

According to a report from RMC Sport, Saliba wasn’t just injured against Spain — he had been carrying the issue through the entire tournament, managing it well enough to keep playing until his body gave out on the sport’s biggest stage.

What injury did Saliba suffer?

Saliba fractured a vertebra in his back during a Premier League match roughly two months before the World Cup began. Rather than pull out of the tournament, he elected to play through it, receiving daily specialized treatment from France‘s medical staff and taking painkillers throughout the competition.

The injury finally caught up with him around the half-hour mark against Spain, when he had to be substituted in tears. He’s since been examined by doctors, who are still determining whether surgery will be required, meaning he’s expected to be out for an extended period.

It’s a situation that echoes what Samuel Umtiti went through for France at the 2018 World Cup, when the defender played through a serious knee issue rather than have surgery, helping Les Bleus win the title in Russia at a steep cost to the rest of his career.

England head into this match ranked 4th in the FIFA World Rankings, with 1,889.42 points. Thomas Tuchel’s men topped their group with seven points, putting together strong performances that positioned them as genuine title contenders.

They continued their campaign by beating DR Congo in the Round of 32, before knocking out co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16. They then edged Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarterfinals, before their run came to an end with a painful 2-1 semifinal loss to Argentina, decided late in the match.

France’s ranking

England won’t have it easy in their pursuit of a historic World Cup third place, as they face a France side ranked 3rd in the FIFA World Rankings, with 1,948.97 points.

Didier Deschamps’ men went unbeaten through six matches, topping their group before beating Sweden in the Round of 32 and Paraguay in the Round of 16. They then dispatched Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals, extending their run to a fourth straight semifinal appearance, before falling 2-0 to Spain in Dallas, ending their bid for a third consecutive World Cup final.

England chasing a first-ever World Cup bronze

Beyond the ranking gap, Saturday’s match carries extra weight for England, who have never actually finished third at a World Cup. The Three Lions have reached this exact fixture twice before, losing both times: a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the 1990 third-place match, and a 2-0 loss to Belgium in 2018.

A win over France would give England their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament outright in 1966, and their first podium finish of any kind in the 60 years since.

Amid that backdrop, Spain captain Rodri broke down exactly how they plan to deal with Messi ahead of the World Cup final, laying out a two-part approach to containing the tournament’s top scorer.

“First, keep him away from the box. And second, when we inevitably have to defend, be closer to him, be more aggressive. Maybe not sit back as much,” the Manchester City midfielder said in an interview with Diario As.

Rodri explained how that plan fits into Spain‘s broader defensive identity, while acknowledging the unpredictability Messi brings to the occasion. “We’re a team that presses forward to force our opponents to play backward, and I think that’s the key to Sunday’s match. But with a player like Leo, who’s often unpredictable, we’ll have to be very alert,” he added.

Rodri praises Messi’s greatness and longevity

It will be the third and likely final World Cup final Messi plays in, and this one carries a special significance — he’ll be facing several players who grew up idolizing him during his time at Barcelona, like Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi, and even Lamine Yamal.

Rodri didn’t hold back when discussing Messi’s greatness and longevity heading into the final. “Messi speaks for himself. But beyond the individual accolades, his career speaks for him. So many years at the top level. To reach — I don’t know how old he is now (39) — in that kind of form and still be the best player at the World Cup is incredible,” he explained.

Beyond the individual praise, the Spain captain also acknowledged what Messi represents for Argentina as a team, and the challenge that poses heading into Sunday’s final.

“For them, he’s more than a player. He’s a reference point, their leader. But we’ll have to control Argentina in every phase of the game,” the Spaniard captain concluded.

That club belongs to Vittorio Pozzo, the Italian coach who led Italy to back-to-back titles at the 1934 and 1938 World Cups, becoming the only manager in the tournament’s history to win it twice.

Pozzo’s first triumph came on home soil in 1934, a run that included a playoff win over Spain in the quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw, before Italy beat Czechoslovakia in the final. Four years later in France, he repeated the feat, guiding Italy past Brazil in the semifinals and Hungary in the final to become back-to-back champions.

No coach has matched that double in the 88 years since, even though a handful have come agonizingly close. Scaloni, who already has one title with Argentina from Qatar 2022, now has the chance to do what none of them could.

Managers who fell short of matching Pozzo’s record

Several coaches have come close to matching Pozzo’s two World Cup titles. Some reached a second final after winning on their first attempt, while others had to lose first before finally winning on their second opportunity.

Mario Zagallo won as Brazil’s manager in 1970, then lost the 1998 final with the same nation, while Carlos Salvador Bilardo led Argentina to glory in 1986, only to finish runner-up four years later in Italy.

Helmut Schon went the other way, losing the 1966 final as West Germany’s manager before winning it in 1974 — the same path Franz Beckenbauer would later follow, finishing runner-up with West Germany in 1986 before winning it all in 1990.

The most recent manager to miss out on tying Pozzo’s mark was Didier Deschamps, who won with France in 2018 and returned to the final in 2022, where his side fell to Argentina on penalties.

Argentina face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at New Jork New Jersey Stadium — the first time in Messi’s career that he’ll face the Spanish national team at a World Cup, with the trophy itself on the line.

The opponent carries extra weight for Messi personally. It was Barcelona that paid for the growth-hormone treatment he needed as a teenager and gave him his first-team debut, and Spain also explored the possibility of naturalizing him at one point, never realizing his heart was set on representing Argentina from a young age.

At 39 years old, in what’s widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi arrives at this final looking to cap his international career with a second star for Argentina, four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar.

There’s one thing Sunday’s final could finally settle for him: despite everything he’s accomplished on the biggest stage, Messi’s personal history against Spain with Argentina isn’t a good one, and he’ll have the chance to change that for good.

Messi’s record vs Spain

During his whole career, Messi has faced Spain three times with Argentina, all in international friendlies, and the balance leans in the European’s favor:

• October 11, 2006 — Spain won 2-1 in Murcia. An 18-year-old Messi started but didn’t score, with Daniel Bilos netting Argentina’s goal against strikes from Xavi and David Villa.
• November 14, 2009 — Spain won 2-1 in Madrid. Messi scored Argentina’s only goal from the penalty spot, with Xabi Alonso scoring both goals for the hosts.
• September 7, 2010 — Argentina’s only win in the series, a 4-1 rout in Buenos Aires over the reigning world champions. Messi opened the scoring, with Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, and Sergio Aguero also finding the net, while Fernando Llorente scored Spain’s consolation.

Argentina’s full history vs Spain

Beyond Messi’s individual record, the two nations have a long and even history dating back more than seven decades. Argentina and Spain have met 14 times since their first clash in 1952, with the series deadlocked at six wins apiece and two draws.

The two sides have also crossed paths once before at a World Cup, back in 1966 in England, when Argentina came out on top 2-1. Their most recent meeting came in a 2018 friendly in Madrid, when Spain thrashed Argentina 6-1 just months before that year’s World Cup in Russia. Sunday’s final will be just the second time the two nations have met on football’s biggest stage, and the first with a title on the line.

Amidst this situation, Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario addressed on ESPN Brasil’s Resenha do 9 why the Portuguese star is no longer unstoppable the way he once was, the same going for Neymar.

“Normally your body lets you know you can’t keep up anymore. I think both Cristiano and Neymar reached that point of agreement between themselves and their bodies — that the battle with your body is really a tough one, very hard to win,” Ronaldo began by explaining.

The Brazilian went on to say that while Ronaldo still has the level to compete in Saudi Arabia, that level isn’t enough to do so at the World Cup. “Cristiano had even greater longevity, but maybe he’s still got the level to play in Saudi Arabia, while at a World Cup, we’ve seen it’s a lot harder, the level is a lot higher,” he continued.

The former Real Madrid and Barcelona forward went on to explain how that physical decline forces even the most explosive players to adapt their game entirely until, in the end, it’s the body itself that determines how far you can go.

“And normally your body warns you, but before, you used to blow past everyone, run right through them — now it’s not like that anymore, you have to find other solutions. I think that’s basically it. Despite our passion, our love for the game, our desire to keep playing forever, I think in the end, the body is what decides for us,” Ronaldo concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s quiet World Cup finale

For all the storylines surrounding his final tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers stayed modest. The Portugal captain finished the 2026 World Cup with just three goals in six appearances: a scoreless opener against DR Congo, a brace against Uzbekistan in the group stage, and a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32.

Ronaldo went quiet from there, failing to find the net in Portugal’s Round of 16 exit, a 1-0 loss to Spain decided by Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner. He still made history along the way, becoming the first player ever to score in six different World Cup editions, but the tournament closed on a somber note as Ronaldo confirmed it marked the end of his international career.

It promises to be an attractive matchup between two of the tournament’s best sides, both built around a similar strategy: taking ownership of the ball to control possession, though each arrives at the same result in a different way.

Luis de la Fuente has Rodri running Spain’s midfield alongside Fabian Ruiz, while further up the pitch, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, and Lamine Yamal lend a hand both in building the attack and in defensive work.

That approach has served Spain well so far, generating total control of matches. With an average of 58% possession (according to FIFA’s official figures), they sit first in the tournament’s possession rankings, tied with Turkey.

That tactical setup also functions as a defensive wall, and paired with a solid back line, it has helped Spain concede just a single goal all tournament, in the 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarterfinals.

That statistic gives Spain a chance to make history: if they lift the title and keep a clean sheet against Argentina, they would become the first team in World Cup history to win the tournament having conceded just a single goal throughout the entire competition.

Argentina: same strategy, different results

On the other side, they’ll face an Argentina side built on the same idea: controlling the ball and dominating the game through midfield, something they’ve shown throughout the tournament with an average of 55% possession, good for sixth in the tournament’s possession rankings.

In his setup, Lionel Scaloni deploys Leandro Paredes as the central midfielder, surrounded by Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, and Rodrigo De Paul, who link up through the middle but can also drift out wide, giving Argentina another option to keep possession on the flanks.

That tactical identity has carried them all the way to the tournament’s biggest match, but with one major difference from Spain. While it’s paid off in attack, with Argentina scoring more goals than any other team in the tournament (19), it’s been a different story defensively, where they’ve conceded seven goals, ranking 17th in goals allowed.

Even so, Argentina have made up for those defensive shortcomings through their attack, though it hasn’t come easy — they’ve had to grind out the wins that got them to New York New Jersey Stadium for Sunday’s final on July 19.

They needed extra time twice — in a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 and a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the quarterfinals — to advance, while in the 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16 and the 2-1 win over England in the semifinals, they had to produce agonizing late comebacks to get the job done.

Without a doubt, it will be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Beyond marking the first-ever meeting between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, it will see two teams built on the same footballing philosophy chase the sport’s most important title.

“This is huge. I always dreamed of scoring this goal. My mom, from the day I left for Racing, never stopped making my bed. And that means more to me than a goal, than a final. I have my two kids, who have changed my life since they arrived. They made me slow down. Now I’m a man, I enjoy life,” Martinez said.

The Inter Milan forward revealed he’d sensed the moment coming even before stepping onto the pitch against England. “I dreamed it, I swear, I told Alexis I was going to score a goal. I told Facu Medina on the bench that I was going to come on and win it. This team keeps showing what it’s made of,” he continued.

Martinez also broke down how Argentina managed to turn the match around after going behind. “They got tired, after 60 minutes they had nothing left. They dropped back and we took advantage,” the forward concluded said.

How Argentina completed the comeback

England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home a long cross from Morgan Rogers to put Thomas Tuchel’s side in front at Atlanta Stadium.

Argentina responded with Enzo Fernandez, who leveled the score after being teed up by Lionel Messi. The game stayed level deep into the second half before Messi turned provider again, setting up Lautaro Martinez for a stoppage-time winner that completed the comeback and sent Argentina through to defend their title in the final against Spain.

Spain got the semifinal round underway with a 2-0 win over France at Dallas Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the second half, sending Luis de la Fuente’s side into their second World Cup final in history.

Argentina followed a day later with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England at Atlanta Stadium. Anthony Gordon had given the Three Lions the lead, but Enzo Fernandez leveled the match before Lautaro Martinez struck the winner, sending Lionel Scaloni’s side through to defend their title in the final.

When and where will Spain and Argentina play in the final?

Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM ET, in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in tournament history. Both sides arrive unbeaten across the knockout rounds, with a World Cup title on the line for each.

Spain will be looking to add a second star to their crest since 2010, while Argentina chase back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1986 and 1990 editions, when Diego Maradona led them to consecutive finals.

Which stadium will host the final?

The venue for the match is New York New Jersey Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 82,500-seat venue is the largest at this year’s tournament and is expected to be at capacity for the closing match of the 2026 World Cup, with the trophy up for grabs between two nations chasing history.

For the third straight knockout match, Martinez will watch from the bench as Argentina kick off, with Julian Alvarez set to partner Lionel Messi up front once again.

There’s no injury concern behind the call. Martinez trained normally in the buildup and remains available to come on if Scaloni needs a different look in attack, but the coaching staff has simply found no reason to break up a partnership that keeps delivering results.

Julian Alvarez has earned his spot

The forward spot next to Messi has been an open competition all tournament, and it’s one that’s tilted firmly in Alvarez’s favor since the knockout rounds began. After coming off the bench in the first two group-stage matches, the Atletico Madrid forward started against Jordan alongside a rotated lineup, with Messi among the substitutes that day.

However, his performance wasn’t enough to secure his spot as a starter for the next game. In the Round of 32 win over Cape Verde, Martinez returned to the starting lineup, but it was Alvarez’s performance off the bench that ultimately convinced Scaloni to hand him the start against Egypt in the Round of 16.

By the quarterfinals against Switzerland, Alvarez was back in the starting lineup and was named man of the match after scoring a stunning goal — one that could be in contention for goal of the tournament — at a crucial moment in extra time to put his side ahead.

With the forward in excellent form and riding a strong run over these last few matches, Scaloni has opted to keep him in the starting lineup alongside Messi up front, leaving Martinez as a solid option off the bench.

Argentina reached this stage by beating Switzerland in the overtime of the quarterfinals, a result that kept the defending champions’ title defense alive and extended their unbeaten run through the knockout rounds.

For this crucial match, Lionel Messi will start and once again captain Argentina, standing as the team’s key figure as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with eight goals, level with Kylian Mbappe.

On England‘s side, the Three Lions advanced to the semifinals after beating Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals, with a brace from Jude Bellingham. For this match, star man Harry Kane will start and captain the Europeans in their bid to reach the final.

England’s confirmed lineup

For this match, Thomas Tuchel’s biggest dilemma centers on the right side of defense, where Jarell Quansah won’t be available due to a suspension, with Reece James or Djed Spence in line to fill in for him.

England’s confirmed starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

Argentina’s confirmed lineup

Lionel Scaloni has kept his cards close to the chest, having trialed a back-five system in training that would bring Nicolas Otamendi into the defense at the expense of Rodrigo De Paul. Scaloni has suggested he could still spring a surprise, though the more heavily backed option keeps the same shape that got past Switzerland.

Argentina’s confirmed starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.

“It’s hard to describe what you feel right now. The pride of managing a group of professionals like this one. We have one more step to go, and we’re going to try to get there,” de la Fuente said in his on-field interview after the game.

The Spain coach went on to reflect on the weight of the occasion and the philosophy that has carried his side through the tournament unbeaten. “There’s a lot of built-up tension right now, it’s a huge responsibility being in a World Cup final. We’ve stayed true to this idea, and it’s brought us here. I’m proud of that,” he continued.

De la Fuente saved his strongest words for his own players, framing the win over France as proof of just how far this Spain side has come. “We were facing one of the best national teams in the world, but they were up against the best team in the world. These players deserve everything. Their generosity, their talent. It’s a spectacle. Proud, happy,” the Spanish coach concluded.

Pedro Porro’s night to remember

Pedro Porro was one of the standout performers in Spain’s win over France, doubling the lead with a well-taken second goal that put the match out of reach and sent his team to the final.

Porro’s goal came in the 58th minute, the product of a slick give-and-go with Dani Olmo through the middle of France’s defense. The 26-year-old defender played it in, received the return pass in stride, and beat Mike Maignan with a low finish to make it 2-0.

“It’s a dream come true. Very happy with the team’s attitude, from start to finish. We played a great match. This belongs to the team — congratulations to everyone, because we put on a huge performance,” the Tottenham defender said after the game.

Asked about his fitness for the final, Porro admitted the physical toll of the tournament is starting to show. “We’ll see (about being ready for the final). I’d say I’m exhausted right now. Now it’s about recovery,” he added.

Spain broke the deadlock through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, taking his tournament tally to five goals, before Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the second half to put the result out of reach.

The win sends Luis de la Fuente’s men into their second World Cup final in history, with the chance to lift a second title of their own, following their triumph back in the 2010 edition in South Africa.

With that, Spain arrive at the final unbeaten, having conceded just one goal across the entire tournament, winning six matches and drawing only their group-stage opener against Cape Verde.

Spain’s final opponent and venue

Spain will now wait on the winner of England and Argentina, who meet in the tournament’s second semifinal on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium.

The 2026 World Cup final is set for Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, where Spain will look to add a second star to their crest.

For France, the loss brings an end to their bid for an unprecedented third straight World Cup final, a run that included the 2018 title and the heartbreaking penalty-shootout loss to Argentina in 2022.

France head into this match ranked 1st in the FIFA World Rankings, with 1,948.97 points, having jumped two spots over the course of the tournament after putting together a strong campaign so far.

Didier Deschamps‘ men have been unbeaten across all six of their matches so far, topping their group before edging past Sweden in the Round of 32 and beating Paraguay in the Round of 16. They then dispatched Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals behind goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele to book their spot in the last four.

Standing in their way is a Spain side ranked 3rd in the world, with 1,934.79 points. Luis de la Fuente’s men needed to grind through the knockout rounds, beating Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 before edging Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals on Mikel Merino’s late winner.

France looking for a third straight final

Beyond the ranking gap, France arrive at this semifinal chasing a piece of modern history. A win over Spain would send them to a third consecutive World Cup final, a feat no nation has managed since Brazil made three straight finals from 1994 to 2002.

The first of those two previous finals ended in triumph. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, France beat Croatia 4-2 to lift the trophy for a second time in their history.

Four years later, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France came agonizingly close to going back-to-back, drawing 3-3 with Argentina after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick forced extra time, only to lose 4-2 on penalties in one of the greatest finals in tournament history.

Manager Luis de la Fuente is keeping the same setup that has carried Spain through the knockout rounds: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Alex Baena feeding Mikel Oyarzabal up front. There’s no space in that XI for Merino, who will once again start the match among the substitutes.

It isn’t a form issue, and it isn’t fitness-related, either — it’s a matter of not wanting to break a winning formula. De la Fuente has leaned on the same core group for most of the tournament, reserving Merino for a specific job late in games rather than folding him into the starting shape.

In midfield, the manager opted to stick with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, just as he did against Belgium, while Pedri began among the substitutes and came on in the second half as a replacement for Rodri.

Spain’s most dangerous man off the bench

That job has paid off twice in as many knockout rounds. Merino came off the bench in the Round of 16 against Portugal and needed only a handful of minutes to win a free-kick that sparked Spain’s winning move, before finishing it himself in stoppage time to eliminate Cristiano Ronaldo’s side 1-0.

He repeated the trick in the quarterfinals against Belgium, entering as a substitute and scoring the 88th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory that punched Spain’s ticket to the semifinals.

With two of Spain’s last two knockout goals both belonging to Merino, de la Fuente has every reason to keep saving him for the same role against France — even if it means the Arsenal midfielder starts yet another must-win match on the bench.

For this crucial match, France have Aurelien Tchouameni back from a muscle injury, and Deschamps has named him in the starting midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot.

It’s a tactical decision, as Tchouameni is fully recovered and viewed by Deschamps as the player who gives France’s midfield more balance, pushing Kone back to the bench as depth.

Tchouameni’s return ends Kone’s run as a starter

Tchouameni’s absence traces back to a muscle injury he picked up in training shortly after France’s Round of 32 win over Sweden. The issue, affecting his left adductor, ruled him out of the team’s next two knockout matches: a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16 and a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the quarterfinals.

In his place, Kone stepped into the starting lineup for both of those matches, helping France keep a clean sheet in each and playing a part in the team’s run to the last four without their usual midfield anchor.

With Tchouameni now declared fit and Deschamps eager to restore the balance he provides against a possession-heavy Spain side, Kone reverts to a squad option, leaving him without a start for the first time since the Round of 16.

Spain reached this stage by beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals, a match settled by Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute winner after Fabian Ruiz’s opener had been canceled out by Charles De Ketelaere. It capped a knockout run that also included a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16.

For this crucial match, Lamine Yamal will start and be one of the attacking focal points alongside Mikel Oyarzabal, the team’s top scorer with four goals.

France, meanwhile, arrive unbeaten through six matches, having swept past Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals behind goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Mbappe leads all scorers at the tournament with eight goals, more than half of France’s total output in the competition, and will start and captain his side once again.

France’s confirmed lineup

Didier Deschamps’ main decision centers on Aurelien Tchouameni, who is available again after missing two matches with a muscle injury but has been described as not fully fit. However, Deschamps could still hand him the start over Manu Kone.

France‘s confirmed starting XI: Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappe.

Spain’s confirmed lineup

Luis de la Fuente is expected to stick with the same approach that got past Belgium, keeping Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo both involved through the middle of the park rather than turning to Pedri, who remains an option off the bench.

Spain‘s confirmed starting XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.

For this crucial match, Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make changes to the side that defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and according to ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig, Rodrigo De Paul is one of the players who could be dropped from the starting eleven.

The Inter Miami midfielder is reportedly in danger of losing his starting spot against England, with Nicolas Gonzalez and Giuliano Simeone under consideration to replace him.

De Paul was one of the low points in Argentina‘s win over Switzerland, which is why Scaloni could opt to bring in both Gonzalez and Simeone out wide in midfield. Up front, the coach is expected to keep Messi alongside Julian Alvarez, again leaving Lautaro Martinez among the substitutes.

Nicolas Otamendi could earn a spot as well

Among the variants Scaloni is weighing is a change in formation. During much of Monday’s training session, the coach tested a back-five setup, with Nicolas Otamendi coming in as a center back alongside Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, aiming for a more solid structure against England’s attacking threat.

That scheme would cost Rodrigo De Paul his spot in midfield to bring the veteran defender into the back line, a call Scaloni could hold off on until just before Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta.

Playing with five defenders isn’t new for Scaloni — he made the same switch during Qatar 2022, changing his approach against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, a match Argentina went on to win on penalties.

France were the first side through, dispatching Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele sealing the tournament’s first semifinal spot.

A day later, Spain followed them into the last four with a 2-1 win over Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium, a match settled by Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute rebound after Fabian Ruiz’s opener and Charles De Ketelaere’s equalizer had cancelled each other out.

The final two semifinal berths were decided on Saturday, where England needed a stoppage-time equalizer and a Jude Bellingham extra-time winner to get past Norway, while Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 3-1 win over Switzerland to reach the semifinals.

2026 World Cup semifinal schedule

With the bracket complete, here is the full slate for the final four:

Tuesday, July 14

France vs Spain — Dallas Stadium

Wednesday, July 15

England vs Argentina — Atlanta Stadium

The incident unfolded in the first half at Miami Stadium, where Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland sent a goal kick upfield that appeared to clip one of the suspended cables connected to the stadium’s robotic skycam system, altering its trajectory before it dropped to Elliot Anderson.

After Anderson got the ball, England worked the ball forward and two passes later it found Bellingham, who finished emphatically to make it 1-1 just before halftime.

Norway’s players and coaching staff, including manager Stale Solbakken, immediately protested to the officials, arguing the ball should have been ruled out of play once it made contact with an object outside the field of play.

Referee Clement Turpin allowed play to continue without a VAR intervention, and FIFA later confirmed why. According to the governing body, the tournament’s connected match ball is fitted with a sensor that registers even minimal contact, and a check of that data showed no anomaly, or “peak,” at the moment in question, meaning there was no recorded evidence the ball had struck the cable at all.

England awaits for rival

Having sealed their place in the last four, England now know only half of the equation. The Three Lions will face the winner of Argentina and Switzerland, who meet at Kansas City Stadium for the tournament’s final semifinal spot. England’s semifinal is set for Wednesday, July 15, at the Atlanta Stadium.

The other half of the bracket is already decided. France and Spain, both already through, meet a day earlier, on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium, in a rematch of the 2024 Euro semifinals that will produce the first finalist of this tournament.

This time, Scaloni again chose Julian Alvarez to line up alongside Lionel Messi up front, keeping the same forward pairing that started Argentina’s comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16.

The decision is purely tactical rather than fitness-related — Martinez is fully available from a physical standpoint and remains an option to be introduced from the bench if the match calls for it.

Scaloni’s ongoing attacking dilemma

The question up front is something Scaloni has been weighing since the start of the tournament. While Alvarez had been Argentina‘s starting striker in the matches leading up to the World Cup, he arrived at the tournament managing an ankle issue that limited his preparation, keeping him out of the starting lineup for Argentina’s first two group games, against Algeria and Austria.

In his place, Martinez took over the striker role alongside Messi, and the Inter Milan forward started in each of Argentina’s first four matches. However, the forward managed just one goal and one assist before Alvarez took over for the Round of 16 clash against Egypt.

Alvarez brings a different set of qualities to Argentina’s attack, with more pace that allows him to roam across the entire front line, unlike Martinez, who tends to operate through the center.

That’s why, for this match against Switzerland, Scaloni opted to stick with Alvarez’s attributes and keep the same forward line that got the job done against Egypt.

Switzerland head into this match ranked 14th in the FIFA World Rankings, with 1,710.88 points, a position they’ve earned throughout the tournament. Murat Yakin’s men went unbeaten across their four matches so far, opening with a draw against Qatar on Matchday 1 before picking up wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada to close out the group stage.

They then cruised past Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32, and needed a penalty shootout to see off Colombia in the Round of 16 following a goalless draw.

Standing in their way is an Argentina side ranked 3rd in the world, with 1,925.15 points. Lionel Scaloni’s men topped Group J with a perfect nine points, then survived an extra-time scare against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before pulling off a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16.

Switzerland chasing history

Beyond the ranking gap, there’s a bigger prize on the line for Switzerland,as a win would send them into the semifinals for the first time since 1954, snapping a 72-year drought at this stage of the tournament.

Argentina and Switzerland’s head-to-head record

History strongly favors Argentina heading into the quarterfinal clash. The two nations have met twice at the World Cup, and Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in either meeting. The first came at the 1966 World Cup in England, where Argentina defeated Switzerland 2-0 at the group stage.

The second came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Argentina needed until the 118th minute of extra time to break the deadlock, with a strike from Angel Di Maria sending them through to the quarterfinals on their way to the final that year.

Quansah received a red card in England‘s victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, after a video review determined that he had made a sliding tackle with his cleats leading, which resulted in an automatic two-game suspension.

That suspension rules him out of the quarterfinal clash and would also keep him sidelined for a potential semifinal, should England advance past Norway, where they would clash with the winner of the game between Argentina and Switzerland.

How Tuchel plans to cover the gap at right-back

With Quansah unavailable, Tuchel is shifting Ezri Konsa out to right-back to fill the void left behind. At center-back, John Stones returns to the starting lineup for the first time since England’s tournament opener against Croatia, partnering Marc Guehi, who passed his fitness test this week after battling a hamstring issue.

The reshuffle leaves England’s backline looking notably different from the one that started the win over Mexico, but it’s the closest thing to a like-for-like swap Tuchel has available with Quansah unavailable, while Reece James and Djed Spence are only fit enough for a place among the substitutes.

England’s confirmed lineup

For this crucial game, the German manager has already confirmed the team that will take the field at Miami Stadium in search of a place among the final four teams of the 2026 World Cup.

England’s starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon.

Tuchel is sticking with Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon on the wings, the same pairing that has featured heavily throughout the tournament, with Saka continuing to build up his fitness after arriving in North America still managing an Achilles tendon issue.

The Arsenal winger played through discomfort at the end of the club season to help his team win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final, and Tuchel opted not to risk him from the start in England’s World Cup opener against Croatia either, handing that role to Madueke instead.

Saka has gradually gained rhythm off the bench since, even earning starts in the group-stage match against Panama and during the Round of 16 clash against Mexico, and while he’s now fit enough to play, the German manager has opted to hold him back for this matchup.

England’s other absences for the Norway clash

Saka’s situation isn’t the only selection headache facing Tuchel heading into the quarterfinal. Jarell Quansah is suspended for the match after picking up a red card in the Round of 16 win over Mexico, ruling him out of both the quarterfinal and a potential semifinal.

England will also be without Jordan Henderson, who is out for the remainder of the tournament after breaking his wrist in a freak accident, tripping over an advertising board during the team’s celebrations following the win over Mexico. The midfielder underwent surgery on the injury shortly after.

For this match, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, and Reece James were also in doubt with various fitness issues, though the first two will start, while James is available off the bench.

Norway entered the tournament ranked just 31st in the FIFA World Rankings, but their run through the knockout rounds has pushed their live position up to 19th, with 1,651.29 points ahead of the quarterfinal clash.

After getting through Group I — one of the toughest in the draw alongside France and Senegal — Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32 before producing the biggest result of their tournament, eliminating Brazil in the Round of 16 behind a brace from Erling Haaland.

England, meanwhile, sit comfortably inside the top five at 4th in the world, with 1,871.39 points, trailing Argentina, Spain and France among the teams still alive in the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s men won Group L without much difficulty, ground out a 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo in the Round of 32 thanks to a Harry Kane brace, and followed it up with a 3-2 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

Norway and England’s head-to-head record

Despite their long shared soccer history, Norway and England have never met at a World Cup before, making Saturday’s quarterfinal a first in the competition’s history. Across their 12 previous meetings — all friendlies or qualifiers — England hold a clear edge with seven wins, two losses, and three draws.

The Three Lions won the first five encounters comfortably, including a 6-0 rout in their first-ever meeting back in 1937, though Norway has pulled off a couple of famous upsets along the way, most notably a 2-1 win in Oslo in 1981. The two sides last met in a 2014 friendly, which England won 1-0 on a Wayne Rooney penalty.

According to Daily Mail, Declan Rice missed a second consecutive training session this week due to a sickness bug, which has aggravated an existing neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back. The Arsenal midfielder has been managing the problem throughout the tournament, and the illness has only added to the concern within the camp.

Marc Guehi is the other major doubt, having picked up a hamstring strain during England’s 3-2 win over Mexico in the Round of 16. What was initially described as fatigue was later confirmed as a strain, though the Manchester City defender remains hopeful of training Friday and being available for Norway.

There is better news on Reece James, who returned to full training on Thursday for the first time since picking up an injury in the group stage win over Ghana.

His recovery is a significant boost given England’s already thin options at right-back — Jarell Quansah is serving a two-match suspension after his red card against Mexico, leaving Djed Spence as the only fit natural option at the position if James isn’t ready.

The only match Rice didn’t start this tournament

Rice has been a fixture in England‘s midfield throughout the World Cup, with the exception of one match: the Group L clash against Panama. He was left out of the starting eleven after picking up a minor knock in the previous game against Ghana, with the FA describing the calf strapping he wore leaving that match as a precautionary measure rather than a sign of a serious injury.

With qualification already in reach, Tuchel opted not to risk Rice from the start, instead deploying a more attacking double pivot of Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham. Rice was introduced off the bench to manage his fitness ahead of the knockout rounds, and has started every match since.

Norway also dealing with fitness issues of their own

England aren’t the only side managing a rocky injury report. Norway head coach Stale Solbakken confirmed that several players had been battling illness in the buildup to the quarterfinal.

Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen missed Norway’s tournament opener with a bug before recovering, while defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen sat out the win over Brazil with a similar illness and has continued to deal with a lingering cough and fatigue.

Left-back David Moller Wolfe was forced off in stoppage time against Brazil with what appeared to be an injury, and his status for the match against England remains unclear. Howeve, Norway team doctor Ola Sand has since downplayed the concerns, stating that all players are healthy heading into the quarterfinal.

Ahead of the match, Lamine Yamal made clear just how much he’s been looking forward to this exact matchup. “Really excited. When the World Cup started, we were all expecting this match. I think we’re the two best teams in the tournament,” Yamal said after the win over Belgium.

The Barcelona winger also previewed how Spain plans to approach the game tactically, expecting France to come out aggressively before settling into their own rhythm. “I expect a team that comes at us, but not for the whole match. We’ll play the way we know how,” he added.

Yamal didn’t stop there, sending a pointed message about which side should be more concerned heading into the semifinal. “I think that if France has to fear anyone, it’s us, as we’re the ones who have knocked them out before,” he said.

Yamal leans on Spain’s 2024 Euro semifinal triumph

The comment is a direct reference to the 2024 Euro semifinal, where Spain eliminated France 2-1 in Munich, with a 16-year-old Yamal scoring a stunning long-range goal before Dani Olmo added the winner.

Spain went on to win that tournament, and now, with both nations meeting again on the World Cup’s biggest stage, Yamal made it clear he sees history as being on Spain’s side.

Yamal and Mbappe’s numbers heading into the semifinal

The individual battle between the two biggest stars adds another layer to the matchup. Kylian Mbappe arrives as the tournament’s outright top scorer, with 8 goals and 3 assists through France’s five matches, sitting atop the Golden Boot race (alongside Lionel Messi).

Yamal, by contrast, has just 1 goal and no assists in 6 appearances for Spain, though the underlying numbers tell a different story — he leads the entire tournament in chances created with 17, and has racked up nine shots across his last two matches alone, suggesting a breakthrough could be close even if the finishing hasn’t clicked yet.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper had kept Belgium in the contest with five saves before going down with an apparent leg injury in the 69th minute, during a hydration break. He initially appeared to be fine to continue, but Belgium ultimately opted to substitute him, bringing on Senne Lammens in his place.

Courtois was visibly emotional as he walked off, wiping away tears while being embraced by his teammates. Despite representing Belgium, Spanish fans in the stands gave him a warm ovation as he left the pitch, a reflection of the status he holds in Madrid after years as one of Real Madrid’s most decorated players.

At 34 years old, this North American tournament is likely to be Courtois‘ last World Cup, a possibility that may explain why he left the field in tears at such a crucial moment of the match.

Lammens and a shaky response on Spain’s second goal

Courtois’ absence proved to be a heavy blow for Belgium, who were made to pay on Spain’s second goal, where Lammens played a part in failing to produce a strong enough save.

Just before stoppage time, Pau Cubarsi unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, and Lammens got a hand to it, but could only parry a short rebound back into the danger area.

Mikel Merino pounced on that rebound, once again playing the hero just as he did in the Round of 16 against Portugal, where he scored the winning goal in the final minutes shortly after coming off the bench.

Garcia continues to trust Charles De Ketelaere as a false nine up front, the same setup that has anchored Belgium’s attack since the group stage, with Lukaku kept in reserve as an option off the bench.

Part of the decision to use Lukaku as a sub stems from his injury-plagued season leading up to the World Cup. The striker was injured during the preseason with Napoli and was limited to just 64 minutes of action across seven appearances.

That lack of sharpness put his World Cup spot in real doubt heading into the tournament, but Rudi Garcia ultimately trusted the veteran forward, naming him to the final roster in North America.

Lukaku’s impact as a substitute

That role suits Lukaku just fine — he’s been most effective for Belgium precisely as a substitute this tournament, forcing an own goal in the opening draw with Egypt and scoring against New Zealand in the group finale.

The one time Garcia did hand him a start during the group stage, against Iran, the striker struggled to get into the game, failing to register a shot before picking up a yellow card and being hauled off in the 73rd minute.

Lukaku’s role coming off the bench paid off again in the Round of 32 against Senegal. Coming on at halftime with Belgium trailing 2-0, he scored in the 86th minute to spark a late comeback that forced extra time, where Belgium eventually secured the win. Additionally, the striker scored off the bench once again to seal a 4-1 victory over the USMNT in the Round of 16.

De la Fuente is set to send out Rodri and Fabian Ruiz in central midfield, behind an attacking line of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Alex Baena, supporting Mikel Oyarzabal up top.

That setup leaves no room in the XI for Merino, who has spent the majority of this tournament coming off the bench rather than starting, with the exception of Spain‘s third group-stage match against Uruguay.

The decision is purely tactical rather than any reflection of Merino’s form, which has been outstanding in limited minutes. De la Fuente has simply preferred to stick with the same core group that has carried Spain through the knockout rounds, using Merino as an impact option late in matches rather than disrupting the starting shape.

Merino’s five-minute heroics against Portugal

Merino’s role off the bench has already produced one of the biggest moments of Spain’s tournament. Brought on late in the Round of 16 clash against Portugal, the Arsenal midfielder needed only around five minutes on the pitch to make his mark.

At first, he won a quick free-kick that kickstarted the winning move before being played through by fellow substitute Ferran Torres and slotting home in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win, eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal from the tournament.

Spain stumbled into the tournament with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde, but have looked sharper with every match since, cruising to the top of Group H before thrashing Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and edging out Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 on a late Mikel Merino strike.

Much of the attention heading into Friday’s match falls on Lamine Yamal. The young forward has managed just a single goal through five appearances this tournament and will start today alongside Mikel Oyarzabal, who is leading the squad with four goals.

Belgium, meanwhile, needed a dramatic turnaround to reach this stage, coming from behind to beat Senegal in extra time after topping Group G, before putting together their most complete performance of the tournament in a 4-1 rout of the USMNT to reach the quarterfinals.

Spain’s confirmed lineup

Luis de la Fuente will make only one change to the lineup that eliminated Portugal, opting to use midfielder Fabian Ruiz from the start, leaving Pedri on the substitutes’ bench.

Spain’s confirmed starting XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri,Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.

Belgium’s confirmed lineup

Rudi Garcia will lean once again on Belgium’s veteran core, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield with a front line built for pace and directness.

Belgium’s confirmed starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxim De Cuyper; Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin; Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Charles De Ketelaere.

Belgium sit 8th in the latest FIFA World Ranking, with 1,778.36 points, a total that fluctuated throughout the group stage. Rudi Garcia’s men dropped points after drawing both Egypt (1-1) and Iran (1-1), before bouncing back with a 5-1 win over New Zealand that was enough to top Group G.

That inconsistency carried into the knockout rounds too, where Belgium needed a dramatic turnaround to see off Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32, rallying from two goals down. They looked far sharper in the Round of 16, cruising past the USMNT 4-1 to punch their ticket to the last eight.

Standing across from them is a Spain side ranked 3rd in the world with 1,912.34 points, sitting just behind Argentina and newly crowned No. 1 France. Luis de la Fuente’s men have been the most defensively airtight team left in the tournament, having not conceded a single goal through their first four matches, a run that included a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16.

Belgium eyeing a shot at their best-ever World Cup finish

A place in the semifinals would put Belgium within reach of matching, and potentially surpassing, their best-ever World Cup result. The Red Devils finished third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, part of Belgium’s so-called golden generation led by Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, who beat England in the third-place playoff.

Nearly a decade later, with De Bruyne still on the team alongside a new generation of players like Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku, and Leandro Trossard, Belgium find themselves close to achieving a new historic mark at the World Cup.

The list begins in 1930, when Uruguay’s Alberto Suppici guided the hosts to the inaugural title at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. Since then, the trophy has been passed between coaches from Europe and South America, mirroring the same two continents that have produced every World Cup-winning nation.

A handful of names appear more than once on the list. Vittorio Pozzo remains the only manager to win back-to-back titles in World Cup history, leading Italy to glory in both 1934 and 1938.

Mario Zagallo also holds a unique distinction, having won the World Cup as a player with Brazil in 1958 and 1962 before doing it again as head coach in 1970. Didier Deschamps matched that same feat with France, winning the title as captain in 1998 before leading Les Bleus to the title again as head coach in 2018.

Lionel Scaloni joined this list of champions, guiding Argentina to their third star in 2022 behind the brilliance of Lionel Messi, while Luis de la Fuente led Spain to their second World Cup title in 2026.

Complete list of World Cup winning coaches

The forward began by thanking supporters, while also acknowledging that the tournament’s ending wasn’t good enough on his part. “Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through. It simply wasn’t good enough from us in the end and I wanted to deliver so much more,” Pulisic began.

The AC Milan forward closed his message by noting that this is only the beginning of growth for this team and for the sport in the country. “I still feel blessed to be a part of this team. The memories this summer will last a lifetime. It’s just the start for us and for this sport in America,” Pulisic wrote.

While the USMNT were thrashed by Belgium in the Round of 16, the team came within one match of matching their best-ever finish, when they reached the quarterfinals at the 2002 edition in South Korea-Japan before falling to Germany.

Pulisic faces intense criticism

Despite the heartfelt message to fans, Pulisic is facing the harshest criticism of anyone right now. The forward was forced off in the 59th minute of the loss to Belgium after twisting his ankle, but what upset fans was what he said after the match.

“It’s just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I have time to rest. I feel it’ll be OK,” Pulisic said on Fox, referring to his recovery. The 27-year-old was criticized by Landon Donovan, along with former U.S. women’s national team players Carli Lloyd and Sydney Leroux.

“He rested the entire World Cup,” Leroux wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account, while Lloyd also piled on, writing, “You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”

While Donovan tried to be careful when discussing Pulisic, who was heavily criticized on social media, the USMNT legend noted that the AC Milan forward’s tournament was simply disappointing.

“In the end, he’s your best player, he’s your star player, and it just didn’t happen for him,” Donovan told Howard. “I want to be careful because I’m sure people are piling on him, a lot of it he deserves, of course. That’s part and parcel with this role. It’s just disappointing. I was waiting for a moment for him… and it just didn’t happen“.

Donovan went further, pointing to a pattern he believes has become undeniable — when the team needs its best player to show up in crucial moments against top opposition, Pulisic simply hasn’t answered the call.

“I’m starting to look back, Tim — it’s more than just a trend now,” Donovan added. “Like, when the games are easy, and it’s a home qualifier, and it’s Jamaica, yes. But in the big moments and the big games, he just hasn’t — I’m not criticizing, I’m just saying it factually. He is who he is at this point”.

Donovan on how he would’ve handled Pulisic’s injury

Donovan also addressed reports that Pulisic asked to be substituted off after suffering an ankle injury, saying he couldn’t confirm the claim but making clear how he’d have handled it himself.

“He came out of a World Cup knockout game at home, with his leg still intact. Because you would have had to f— drag me off the field. And I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field. Put whatever you need to put in me, and I’m staying on the field,'” Donovan said.

Pulisic was forced off in the 59th minute of the loss to Belgium after twisting his ankle in a challenge with Youri Tielemans while attempting a shot on the edge of the box.

After getting through the shootout, Switzerland‘s head coach Murat Yakin didn’t hold back in assessing their next opponent, acknowledging both the danger and the vulnerability of the world champions.

“We’re playing against the world champion. There’s nothing better than having this opportunity. But it’s also been clear, over the last two matches, that Argentina is vulnerable,” Yakin said during his press conference.

“I think we’ve earned that respect, and we’ve worked for it. It’s going to be an interesting tactical match. We can challenge the world champion. For a nation like Switzerland, there’s nothing better than playing a World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina. So the anticipation is huge. I think I still need a couple hours, or a day, to process it,” he added.

Argentina’s last two knockout matches back up Yakin’s claim. Cape Verde pushed the world champions to extra time in the Round of 32 before falling 3-2, and Egypt had them on the ropes in the Round of 16, leading 2-0 with just ten minutes to go before Scaloni’s side produced a frantic comeback to win 3-2.

Djibril Sow recalls beating France in 2020

Midfielder Djibril Sow echoed his coach’s confidence, pointing back to one of Switzerland’s biggest results in recent memory as proof they can compete with soccer royalty.

“For us, this is a very special match. It’s the first time we get to play a quarterfinal against a team that, for me, is one of the favorites to win the Cup. I think it’s going to be very difficult, but I see chances to win. We’re capable of beating great teams, like we’ve done in recent years, like France in 2020,” Sow told reporters after defeating Colombia.

Sow’s reference points to Switzerland’s stunning upset of France at Euro 2020 (played in 2021), when the Swiss came back from 3-1 down in the Round of 16 to force penalties against the reigning world champions — eventually winning the shootout in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.

Argentina vs Switzerland head-to-head World Cup record

History strongly favors Argentina heading into Saturday’s match. The two nations have met twice at the World Cup, and Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in either meeting.

The first came at the 1966 World Cup in England, a 2-0 Argentina win in the group stage. The second came at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Argentina needed until the 118th minute of extra time to break the deadlock, with Angel Di Maria’s strike sending La Albiceleste through to the quarterfinals on their way to the final.

England and Morocco lead the list with four players apiece in danger of suspension, while Switzerland follow with three players and France round out the podium with two.

The risk comes down to how FIFA’s disciplinary rules stack across the knockout rounds. Any player booked in two of the three matches spanning the Round of 32, Round of 16, and quarterfinals will be automatically suspended for the semifinals, should their team advance that far.

Yellow cards reset twice during the tournament: once after the group stage, and again after the quarterfinals. That means no player can be suspended for the final over card accumulation — the only way to miss that match is with a red card.

The biggest names on the list

Among the players on the edge of missing a potential semifinal, a handful of genuine stars will need to be extra careful in their matches. Achraf Hakimi is one of those at risk, facing France in the quarterfinals, where Michael Olise finds himself in the same boat.

For England, things get trickier still — in their quarterfinal against Norway, star man Jude Bellingham joins Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice, and Marc Guehi on the brink of suspension.

The 17 players at risk of missing the World Cup semifinals

• Morocco: Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Khalhal, Bilal El Khannouss.
• France: Manu Kone, Michael Olise.
• Spain: Ferran Torres.
• Belgium: Brandon Mechele.
• Argentina: Gonzalo Montiel.
• Switzerland: Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Miro Muheim.
• England: Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi.
• Norway: Antonio Nusa.