Noureldein GhanemWashington, DC — Hearts pound and breaths catch in throats as the final countdown begins.
Spain and Argentina are just a day away from colliding in a blockbuster World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey-New York, where one side will lift the trophy in glory and the other will be left with nothing but silver.
Spain cruised to the final after delivering a football masterclass against France — a powerhouse and one of the top favourites to win the tournament, defeating them 2-0.
Prior to the tournament, La Roja were TRT World's top pick for favourites to win the World Cup.
Spain have been giving gradually convincing wins throughout the tournament after their first draw against Cape Verde, which mirrors their pathway in 2010 after their first game that ended in a draw. They ended up winning the trophy that year.
Argentina, avoiding one scare after another, crawled their way to the final at the back of yet another stunning late 2-1 comeback victory against England.
TRT World also identified Argentina as one of the top favourites to win the tournament.
However, in TRT World's analysis, we highlighted that the Argentine squad is battle-tested enough to go far in the tournament and brushing them off would be a mistake.
As proven in the knockout stage, brushing them off was indeed a gigantic mistake for all teams, from newcomers Cape Verde, Africa's most successful side Egypt, tactically disciplined Switzerland and powerhouse England.
All of them were minutes away from knocking out the defending champions, and all of them fell for the same mistake: letting their guard down in the dying embers.
Spanish masterclass
Spain have primarily lined up in a 4-3-3, although it often morphs into a 3-2-5 in possession as one full-back moves into midfield and the other pushes high up the pitch.
Unlike most teams that have star players, the star player for Spain is the system itself, regardless of the names on the pitch, as they utilise multiple approaches that decrypt opponents' every move through the tournament.
Possession first: Barcelona's famous Tiki Taka heavily reflects on La Roja's identity. Spain continue to dominate the ball, often enjoying 60-70 percent possession.
They patiently recycle play through midfield, waiting for defensive lines to open before accelerating attacks with quick one-touch passing.
Control through midfield: The midfield is the heartbeat of the team. Rather than forcing direct balls, Spain build from the goalkeeper and centre-backs, using short combinations to bypass the opposition's press.
Their midfielders constantly rotate positions, making them difficult to mark and allowing Spain to dictate the tempo.
High pressing: When possession is lost, Spain immediately press to win it back within seconds. This aggressive counter-press often prevents opponents from launching counterattacks and keeps play confined to the opposition half.
Wide overloads: Spain use their full-backs and wingers to create numerical advantages on the flanks. Wingers frequently cut inside, opening space for overlapping full-backs to deliver crosses or low cutbacks into the penalty area.
Defensive discipline: Without the ball, Spain defend in a compact 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1 shape. The distance between the defensive and midfield lines remains small, forcing opponents into difficult passes and limiting space between the lines.
Spain have kept the strongest defence in the tournament, having conceded only one goal against Belgium.
Speaking about the much-anticipated match, coach Luis de la Fuente says that Argentina deserve high praise and respect for reaching this far.
"Argentina are a great team with extraordinary players. They're world champions for a reason. But we're here because we've earned it too, and we'll compete with our own football," he promises.
For captain Rodri, Sunday's match will be "quite different."
"It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment," says the 2024 Ballon D'Or winner.
Argentine experience
Argentina have primarily operated in a 4-3-3 when attacking or a 4-4-2 without the ball.
Although they had a relatively easier pathway compared to Spain, they have capitalised on multiple tools that made them perform several comebacks.
Adaptability: Unlike Spain's relentless emphasis on ball retention, Argentina are comfortable adapting to the flow of the game.
They can patiently build from the back against deep defences but are equally willing to play vertically, quickly turning defence into attack through incisive passing and intelligent movement.
Messi's genius: Most of Argentina's offensive play revolves around Lionel Messi, who usually cuts in the middle from the right wing with connecting one-twos or creative solutions.
In most games, when Messi becomes more marked in the middle, he switches to the right flank again, dragging with him a defender or two and creates more space in the middle for other midfielders like Enzo Fernandez or Alexis Mac-Allister.
Aggressive pressing: Argentina defend from the front, with their forwards initiating an intense press to force turnovers high up the pitch.
When the first line of pressure is beaten, the midfield quickly drops into a compact shape, making it difficult for opponents to play through the centre.
Fast transitions: One of Argentina's greatest strengths is their speed in transition.
Once possession is regained, they waste little time moving the ball forward, using quick combinations, diagonal passes and runners from midfield to exploit spaces before the opposition can reorganise.
Ahead of the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni praised Spain and coach de la Fuente, with whom he shares a long-standing relationship from Spain's coaching programme.
"I'm happy for him. He deserves it. He's a great bloke. Everything we see in his national team is what we hope to see in ours," he said.
A game of chess
Spain are chasing a second World Cup crown after their triumph in South Africa in 2010, hoping to cement a new golden generation capable of restoring their place at the summit of international football.
Argentina, meanwhile, are aiming to add another star to their famous jersey and reinforce their status among the game's greatest footballing nations, extending a legacy built on decades of World Cup success and some of the sport's most iconic players.
Spain will look to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, patiently pulling Argentina out of shape before exploiting gaps, while the South Americans are likely to rely on their pace, creativity, and clinical finishing to punish any mistake.
It sets the stage for a tactical chess match between the two sides that have reached the final by mastering very different routes to victory.
Beyond the tactical intrigue, the final represents a meeting of two footballing cultures that have shaped generations of the sport.
Millions of supporters from Madrid to Buenos Aires—and far beyond—will turn their attention to the showdown, knowing that 90 minutes, or perhaps longer, will determine who lifts the most coveted trophy in world football.
For one nation, it will be the crowning moment of an extraordinary campaign; for the other, the agony of falling one step short after a month-long pursuit of football immortality.
