Spain have conceded just once all tournament and cruised through their knockout matches with relative control, while Argentina have needed extra time twice and stoppage time drama in every other knockout game to get here.
Messi magic inspires Argentina
Argentina began with a hat-trick from Lionel Messi in a 3-0 win over Algeria, before beating Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1 to top their group.
Their knockout run has been anything but smooth. They needed extra time to beat World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32, then produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16.
The quarter-final brought another extra time battle, a 3-1 win over Switzerland, before Messi inspired a second half turnaround to beat England 2-1 in the semi-final, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scoring the goals after Anthony Gordon had given England the lead.
Spain composed, controlled, defensively unmatched
Spain’s tournament started with a surprise stumble, held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde, before finding their rhythm with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 victory over Uruguay to win their group.
Their knockout run has been built on defensive control rather than drama. They beat Austria 3-0 in the round of 32, Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice, before edging Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16 through a Mikel Merino winner, the goal that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
Spain then survived a scare against Belgium in the quarter-final, winning 2-1 after Merino pounced on a spilled shot from goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the closing stages, before producing their most complete performance of the tournament to beat France 2-0 in the semi-final.
Two very different roads have led here. Sunday will finally decide whether Argentina’s drama or Spain’s discipline prevails.
Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
