Rare Clashes and a Missed Deadline
Paris (AFP) – Despite their status as giants of football, Spain and Argentina, the finalists of the 2026 World Cup, have faced each other only a few times, having been denied a highly anticipated clash this year due to the cancellation of the Finalissima.
The only meeting between the two national teams at the World Cup dates back to 1966, long before Argentina’s first titles (1978, 1986, and 2022) or Spain’s (2010). At that tournament, they were drawn in Group 2 alongside Switzerland and West Germany, which later lost the final.
On July 13, 1966, in Birmingham, Argentina defeated "La Roja" 2-1 thanks to a brace by Luis Artime. Spain was subsequently eliminated in the group stage, while Argentina fell in the quarter-finals to England, who went on to win the title (1-0).
Overall, Argentina, which has seen many of its stars shine in the Spanish league, has faced Spain 14 times, with results nearly balanced: six wins for each side and two draws.
Their last encounter, in March 2018, ended in a crushing 6-1 victory for Spain over the South American side, which was missing Lionel Messi due to injury. After trailing 2-1 at halftime, Argentina collapsed in the second half against a Spain team managed by Julen Lopetegui.
That victory served as a form of redemption for Spain, which had suffered a major shock in 2010. After winning the World Cup in South Africa, Spain suffered a harsh 4-1 defeat to Argentina just weeks later, a match in which Messi scored; he remains the only player still active from that game.
The symbolic win in March 2018 bolstered Spain’s hopes of securing their second World Cup title at the 2018 tournament in Russia. However, those ambitions quickly faded when the host nation eliminated them in the round of 16, the same stage at which Argentina was knocked out by France.
Due to the rarity of meetings between the two teams, the Finalissima scheduled for March 27 between European champions Spain and Copa America 2024 winners Argentina was highly anticipated.
However, the match, which was set to take place in Qatar, was canceled due to the war in the Middle East, as were other sporting events, including the Bahrain and Jeddah Grand Prix races in the Formula One World Championship.
The cancellation sparked a dispute between the two federations, with each side blaming the other for failing to find a suitable date and venue to reschedule the match within an already congested football calendar.
Four months after that missed opportunity, Spain and Argentina will finally meet, but this time for a much more significant prize, when they face each other on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
