How Argentina and Spain earned their place in WC 2026 showpiece

Argentina: Champions Showing Their Character
The defending champions did not enjoy an easy journey. Almost every knockout match demanded patience, composure and experience.

Group Stage
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Argentina 2-1 Jordan
Argentina finished top of Group J with three victories, conceding just one goal while demonstrating the balance that made them champions four years earlier.

Round of 32
Argentina 3-1 Egypt
The holders comfortably overcame Egypt to reach the last 16, with Lionel Messi once again dictating the tempo.

Round of 16
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
Switzerland frustrated Argentina for long periods before the South Americans eventually broke clear during extra time.

Semi-final
Argentina 2-1 England
England led until the closing minutes before Argentina produced another famous comeback, scoring twice late to book their place in the final.
Argentina's Road
Matches: 7
Wins: 7
Goals scored: 18
Goals conceded: 4

Spain: Football's Most Consistent Team
Spain have arguably been the tournament's most complete side.
Combining technical brilliance with defensive discipline, they reached the final without needing extra time in the knockout rounds.

Group Stage
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Spain 2-0 Uruguay
Spain finished comfortably at the top of Group H after collecting seven points.
Round of 32
Spain 2-1 Austria

A disciplined display secured Spain's passage into the quarter-finals.

Quarter-final
Spain 2-1 Belgium
Spain survived one of the tournament's toughest tests, eliminating one of Europe's strongest sides.

Semi-final
Spain 2-0 France
Against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain delivered perhaps their finest performance, dominating possession and limiting France's attacking threat to secure a deserved victory.

Spain's Road
Matches: 6
Wins: 5
Draws: 1
Goals scored: 12
Goals conceded: 2
Two Different Journeys,
One Final Destination Argentina's path has been built on resilience.

They have repeatedly recovered a Cfrom difficult moments, trusted their experience and relied on the leadership of Lionel Messi when pressure was greatest.

Spain's journey has been based on control.

They have dominated possession, defended intelligently and consistently outplayed high-quality opponents.

Both approaches have proved successful.

One team has survived football's toughest moments.

The other has mastered them.

Now the two best teams of World Cup 2026 stand just 90 minutes away from immortality.

On Sunday, Argentina will attempt to defend the crown they won in Qatar, while Spain will chase another chapter in their rich football history.

Only one journey, however, can end with the World Cup trophy.