Argentina dramatically punched its ticket to the World Cup final on Wednesday, defeating England 2-1 in a comeback thriller, and now they're set to face Spain, who pulled off a huge upset against France in Tuesday's semifinal matchup. This Sunday's clash is one for the history books, and you couldn't ask for a better final match-up than these two powerhouses. Lionel Messi's squad is staring down history, aiming to become the first nation to win back-to-back men's World Cups since Brazil famously did it in 1958 and 1962. Spain is hungry for its second World Cup title, making its first final appearance since they lifted the trophy in 2010. The stakes are insane!
Argentina's Wild Ride to History
Man, did Argentina ever make us sweat against England? That Wednesday semifinal was a dramatic victory, with Messi himself assisting two goals in a crazy seven-minute span. It was Lautaro Martinez's header in stoppage time that proved to be the game-winner, clinching that 2-1 comeback for Argentina. Think about it: they were down 1-0 and then suddenly, boom! Two goals after the 80th minute to completely flip the script. Enzo Fernández blasted in the first goal from outside the box in the 85th minute, and then Martinez sent the crowd wild with the game-winner two minutes into extra time. This team lives for the drama, one win away from etching their name in the record books as back-to-back champions. Can they really do it?Spain's Shocking Upset Road to the Final
But hold up, let's not forget the absolute shocker Spain pulled off. They faced France, a team that arguably looked like the best at the World Cup, and flat-out beat them 2-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday. Talk about a statement! Mikel Oyarzabal got them on the board early, burying a penalty kick in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal drew the foul. Then Pedro Porro hammered home the second goal in the 58th minute, and shoutout to goalkeeper Unai Simón for a rock-solid clean sheet. Spain is back in the final for the first time since they won it all in 2010 when they famously took down the Netherlands. This will be only their second trip ever to the World Cup final, and they are coming in with massive confidence after shutting down France. They're ready to make some noise! So get those calendars marked, sports fans! This Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET, it's Argentina versus Spain live from New York New Jersey Stadium on FOX and FOX One. You do not want to miss this. Will Messi and Argentina complete their historic back-to-back quest, or will Spain crash the party and claim their second World Cup title? Before the big one, England and France still have some business to finish, battling it out for third place on Saturday, July 18, at 5 p.m. ET at Miami Stadium. It's going to be an epic conclusion to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and I'm already counting down the minutes!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.