Spain and Argentina's Thrilling Paths to the 2026 World Cup Final Revealed

The World Cup's 104th and concluding match of the summer will determine whether Spain or Argentina adds another world title to its trophy cabinet.

Spain has already surpassed its previous best since claiming the trophy for the first time 16 years ago, while Argentina is contesting back-to-back finals as it looks to become the first defending champion to retain the title since 1962.

Both sides remain undefeated across their seven matches on the road to this showpiece occasion, though their respective journeys to Sunday's title clash have been strikingly different. Spain's campaign has been polished, controlled and composed throughout North America, while Argentina's gritty, combative style has seen it navigate one self-created obstacle after another.

Here's a look back at how these two global giants made it to soccer's biggest stage.

Spain's Route to 2026 World Cup Final

The European champions got off to a shaky start. Facing debutants Cabo Verde in their opener, Spain were widely expected to not only win comfortably but also rack up a healthy goal difference. Instead, they were met with a disciplined, compact defensive wall in blue.

A courageous defensive display from the underdogs held Spain to a scoreless stalemate, sparking considerable debate back home. How had La Roja failed to find the net against a World Cup first-timer?

Luis de la Fuente's squad answered their critics emphatically on matchday two, putting four goals past Saudi Arabia without reply. Lamine Yamal netted his maiden World Cup goal, while Mikel Oyarzabal grabbed a brace to all but seal Spain's passage to the knockout rounds.

Spain knew a point in their final group game against Uruguay would likely secure top spot, but Álex Baena's goal just before the interval sealed all three points in a largely uninspiring contest.

La Roja then faced four consecutive European opponents on their path to Sunday's monumental final. First was Austria, a potentially tricky side under the tactically astute Ralf Rangnick. Spain had little difficulty, however, cruising to a comfortable 3–0 win thanks to another Oyarzabal double.

Their resolute defense had still not been breached as Spain crept closer to the final, and even Portugal's wealth of attacking talent couldn't break through De la Fuente's well-drilled backline. After completely shutting out their Iberian neighbors, La Roja snatched a late win as substitute Mikel Merino stepped up with a composed 91st-minute finish.

Merino again came to Spain's rescue in the quarterfinals to avoid extra time. Charles De Ketelaere had cancelled out Fabián Ruiz's opener as Belgium became the first team to score against the European champions, but Merino once more delivered off the bench with a late winner following a costly error from goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The semifinals arrived, and for the first time Spain found itself cast as the underdog. An exciting France side was tipped to reach a third straight final on the strength of its attacking options, but La Roja refused to be intimidated. A solid defensive unit laid the groundwork for Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro to strike and build an unassailable two-goal advantage.

Spain's World Cup Results

Argentina's Route to 2026 World Cup Final

In contrast to Spain, the reigning world champions could scarcely have made a more commanding start. Facing an admittedly modest Algeria side, Lionel Messi put on a masterclass with a stunning hat trick that settled the match and served as a timely reminder that the veteran remains a lethal force on the grandest stages.

More Messi magic followed in Argentina's second group game, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner bouncing back from an early missed penalty against Austria to put La Albiceleste in front before halftime, then seal the three points in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Messi was rested from the start of the final group game with Argentina already qualified, but that didn't stop him from making his mark in the second half. Giovani Lo Celso's precise free kick was followed by Lautaro Martínez's penalty against debutants Jordan, who pulled one back before Messi added his sixth goal of the tournament.

Having breezed through the group stage, the knockout rounds proved unexpectedly grueling for the South Americans. Much like Spain, they were seriously tested by Cabo Verde, who forced them into extra time after a 1–1 draw at full time. Both teams scored again in the additional period, including a spectacular effort from the African side, but an own goal ultimately swung things in Argentina's favor as they won 3–2.

That same scoreline played out again when Argentina met Egypt in the round of 16, where they were once more pushed to the brink. The Pharaohs held a stunning two-goal lead until Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute and Messi levelled four minutes later. A contentious finish saw La Albiceleste grab a stoppage-time winner through Enzo Fernández.

Lionel Scaloni's side faced yet another nerve-shredding contest against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, with extra time needed to separate the teams. Argentina ultimately prevailed against 10 men, with Julián Alvarez's brilliant strike setting up a late clincher from Lautaro Martínez.

Argentina has needed heroic performances at every stage of the knockout phase, but its most dramatic escape came in the semifinal against England. A fiercely contested match saw them trailing until the 85th minute when Fernández unleashed a thunderous long-range effort, with extra time seemingly inevitable. Yet a stunning comeback was completed within normal time as Lautaro Martínez headed home the winner just seven minutes later.

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Argentina's World Cup Results