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Spain vs Argentina: Line ups revealed as Yamal and Messi stand eyeball to eyeball for World Cup glory
19th July, 2026 09:24 PM
Lionel Messi will once again lead the Argentines out for his third World Cup final after retaining his place in the Albiceleste team to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final clash in New York this Saturday, July 19, 2026.
Lionel Scaloni has made a few changes to the team that eliminated England in the semifinals.
Nico Gonzales, who made an impressive cameo against the Three Lions, is among the new starters coming on to replace Giuliano Simeone in attack.
Rodrigo De Paul also comes back to the midfield to join Enzo Fernández and Alexis McAllister just behind Messi.
The Argentine maestro, Messi, will be hoping for a fitting end to what is his last World Cup appearance as he lines up with Alexis McAllister.
In attack, Julián Álvarez starts once again ahead of Lautaro Martínez despite the Interman grabbing the decisive goal against England.
Messi and Yamal’s first-ever meeting
For Spain, Lamine Yamal, 19, has also been handed a starting berth by Luis de la Fuente, earning him the chance to lock horns with Messi for the first time ever.
The teenage sensation has been named in the team’s starters alongside fellow teen defender Pau Cubarsi, who will once again partner Aymeric Laporte at the heart of La Roja’s backline.
Messi and Yamal’s viral photo
Yamal will come face-to-face with Messi after an old photo of the former with the Argentine star went viral in the build-up to the final encounter in New York.
The photograph captured during a past photoshoot featured an infant Yamal with his mother and Messi, then making his strides at Barcelona in 2007. Unknown to many, the two will now cross paths as they face off in a World Cup final almost 19 years later.
Pedro Porro and Real Madrid’s new boy Marc Cucurella will provide more defensive options from the full-back positions.
Spain XI: Unai Simón, Pedro Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella, Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena
Argentina XI: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Nico González; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi
