Predicted lineups
For the first time in history, the reigning champions of South America and Europe will meet for the World Cup title as Argentina and Spain square off for the World Cup final on Sunday. It’s a matchup of Unai Simon and the best defense in the World Cup as Spain have allowed one goal in seven matches played, while Lionel Messi chases the Golden Boot with eight goals and four assists in the tournament.
It’s the perfect setup of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object in a cup final. After the 80th minute of play, Argentina have scored nine goals while Spain have scored 11 during the entire tournament. Not that it’s Luis de la Fuente’s game to try and run up the score, but Spain’s best defense is their strength in possession, with Rodri keeping teams from countering them while Pedri and Fabian Ruiz pick out passes to push things forward. But how could they line up?
- Spain predicted XI: Unai Simon; Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Dani Olmo; Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal
- Argentina predicted XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Giuliano Simeone; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
