What could not happen on March 27 in Doha will become a reality next Sunday in New York. The Finalissima, which was supposed to face the European champion against the champion of America and the world, will take place with the universal title at stake. In spring, the conflict between the United States and Israel with Iran, which destabilized the region and the world in general, prevented Spain and Argentina from facing each other in the second official match in their entire history. That match will now be much more important. Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other for the first and presumably last time on a playing field. 39 years and longevity records for the Argentine. 19 and precocity marks for the Spanish. The best player in history against the leader of the new generation of footballers.
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A story that fits perfectly for the longest and most exaggerated World Cup no matter how you look at it. That baby that Messi bathed in images that have gone down in history has become a teenager who before 20 can add to the Eurocup he has in his trophy case the title of world champion. Meanwhile, Leo can close the circle of his incredible international career with his second World Cup in his third final. For the Rosario native, who is fighting with eight goals to finish as the tournament’s Golden Boot, it will be a farewell at the summit whether he wins or loses. For the one from Rocafonda, it will be the occasion to be crowned without waiting any longer, although he still has almost his entire career ahead of him.
He has only scored one goal but has had a lot of influence in the matches, as shown by the fact that most of the full-backs who have marked him ended up substituted or injured (in the case of Nuno Mendes).
The match that did not happen in March because of the United States and Israel conflict with Iran arrives now
Sixty years after their only official meeting comes this final. In 1966, in Birmingham, at the England World Cup, Argentina triumphed 2-1. Spain’s only goal was by the Madrid player Pirri. Then came the Albiceleste defeat against the hosts with the controversial expulsion of Rattin.
Luis de la Fuente’s team has reached the final with less wear on their legs. La Roja has not played a single overtime, although their victories were not confirmed until the last moment against Portugal in the round of 16 and Belgium in the quarterfinals. In addition, the Spanish internationals will have one more day of rest.
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Meanwhile, Argentina had to go to overtime to eliminate Cape Verde in the round of 16 and Switzerland in the quarterfinals, while against Egypt in the round of 16 they were losing 0-2 and staged an epic comeback in the final stretch of the match. They also came back against England in the semifinals.
Spain and Argentina. Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. But also two sane and coherent coaches, with the curious circumstance that Luis de la Fuente was one of the teachers in the Las Rozas coaching course, with Lionel Scaloni as a student. The Riojan leads a united, solid human group that is like a football club. But if we talk about spirit and competitiveness, Argentina has proven to be irreducible. A collective with the mission of helping Leo Messi to be even greater. Where football has not reached them, the unbeatable faith that accompanies them has.
For the Albiceleste, it is the seventh final in their history, the third in the last four editions. For La Roja it is the second. A clash of styles, personalities, and brilliance. A true Finalissima.
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