Argentina’s Lionel Messi and his teammates heat up earlier than the 2026 FIFA World Cup last in opposition to Spain at New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, on July 19, 2026. — Reuters
East Rutherford: Lionel Messi’s Argentina made three adjustments to their beginning line-up for Sunday’s World Cup last in opposition to Spain because the holders try and develop into the primary crew since 1962 to retain the trophy.
Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the profitable penalty within the shootout within the 2022 last win in opposition to France, is available in at right-back rather than Nahuel Molina for Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina.
The opposite adjustments see Rodrigo De Paul return in midfield, the place Nico Gonzalez additionally begins, with Leandro Paredes and Giuliano Simeone making approach.
Argentina reached the ultimate by defeating England 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta following a dramatic late comeback.
Messi, 39, is showing in his third World Cup last and begins the day on eight objectives on the event, two behind France’s Kylian Mbappe within the race for the Golden Boot.
The Argentina skipper has scored 21 objectives general at World Cups, one behind Mbappe’s file of twenty-two.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named the identical line-up that began the 2-0 semi-final victory in opposition to France.
Lamine Yamal, who can develop into the third-youngest participant ever to win a World Cup, simply six days after his nineteenth birthday, begins on the correct wing for the defending European champions.
Spain are aiming to win a second World Cup after their earlier triumph in 2010.
If Argentina win will probably be their fourth title, which might put them stage with Germany and Italy and one behind file five-time champions Brazil.
Beginning line-ups
Spain: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (capt), Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal
Coach: Luis de la Fuente (ESP)
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Gonzalez; Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi (capt), Julian Alvarez
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (ARG)
Referee: Slavko Vincic (SLO)
