…as Argentina seek to equal Brazil’s 64-year record

Spain has set its target on achieving its first World Cup success in 16-years when it meets Argentina in the final on Sunday night.

Despite Spain shining on the global stage in recent years, La Roja last won the World Cup in 2010 when South Africa hosted the mundial, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final courtesy of an extra time goal by Andreas Iniesta.

The Spaniards have, however, failed to add to their only World Cup trophy since then, having failed to match expectations.

Lionel Messi’s battle-hardened Argentina now take on silky Spain in the World Cup final as the first 48-team tournament in history reaches a climax in New Jersey, U.S.

The South Americans themselves are looking to make history as they strive to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

Sunday’s showpiece is likely to be the final World Cup appearance for Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing the diminutive genius lead out his team at the MetLife Stadium at the age of 39.

“He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The three-time champions have shown an astonishing never-say-die attitude during the 2026 tournament.

They recovered from 2-0 down in the closing stages against Egypt in the last 16 and mounted another dramatic comeback in the final minutes of their semi-final against England.

Spain, on the other hand, have been almost flawless, conceding just a single goal in their seven matches so far and sweeping past France in the semi-finals.

Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a “physical” battle and would aim to ignore any possible “provocations”.

“It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared,” said the midfielder. “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.”

US President Donald Trump will be among the 80,000-strong crowd at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the first game he has attended in the tournament.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also attend, meaning the leaders of all three host nations will be present.

A galaxy of A-list stars will be performing, from Tom Cruise in the pre-game closing ceremony to Madonna and Shakira in the half-time show — the first in World Cup history.

Trump on Friday hailed the tournament as “the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world” as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Infantino also reached for hyperbole, saying the event had “exceeded all expectations”.

“This has not just been and is not just the greatest World Cup of all times,” Infantino said. “It is the greatest human, social, and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.”