The Spain vs Argentina head-to-head results in their recent five matches clearly highlight the fierce rivalry between the reigning European champions and the defending world champions.
Spain and Argentina collide in a highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The blockbuster kicks off at 21:00 (SAST).
Spain vs Argentina: Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
Spain Outclasses France in the Semi-Final
La Roja delivered a masterclass against France in the semi-final, destroying the favourites 2-0 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 14 July 2026.
Spain outperformed Les Bleus in midfield, with the likes of Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, and Dani Olmo dictating the tempo of the game and tactically bossing around the French midfielders with the Tika-Taka.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal won a controversial penalty for Spain, and Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot in the 22nd minute, giving La Roja a dream start to the thriller.
William Saliba added insult to injury to the shaky French defence when he got injured around the 30th minute. Saliba couldn’t continue playing, and Didier Deschamps was forced to make an unplanned change, replacing the Arsenal defender with Maxence Lacroix.
Olmo capped off his stellar performance with an assist in the 58th minute. The Barcelona midfielder provided the final pass to Pedro Porro, who doubled the Spaniards’ score in the 58th minute.
The reigning European champions, with two shots on target, took only one corner kick in the thriller, while the star-studded France took seven corners.
Spain Eliminates Belgium in the Quarter-Final
Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final encounter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 10 July 2026.
Fabian Ruiz put the Spaniards ahead in the 30th minute after reacting quickly to a rebound inside the box. However, Charles De Ketelaere became a hero for Belgium, levelling the score to 1-1 in the 41st minute. Timothy Castagne was credited with the assist.
Off the bench, Spain super sub Mikel Merino, who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League, netted the winner in the 88th minute after another rebound fell at his favourite scoring shoe.
Spain took an unbelievable eight shots on target and won five corner kicks in the narrow win, while Belgium had only two shots on target and won only one corner.
Did Spain Eliminate Portugal in the Round of 16?
Spain stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 in an extremely entertaining Round of 16 encounter at AT&T in Arlington on 6 July 2026.
Off the bench, Mikel Merino broke the deadlock in stoppage time. Merino scored the winner in the 90+1 minute, ensuring La Roja booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the global showpiece. Ferran Torres provided the assist.
Spain, with six shots on target, won seven corners in the thriller, while Portugal only took three corner kicks.
Spain Thumps Austria in the Round of 32
The reigning EURO champions thumped Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 at SoFi Stadium on 2 July 2026.
Mikel Oyarzabal broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, assisted by Marc Cucurella. Pedro Porro then doubled the Spaniards’ lead in the 66th minute, assisted by Alex Baena.
Oyarzabal netted his second goal of the match in the 89th minute, extending Spain’s score to 3-0. Cucurella also provided his second assist of the match when Oyarzabal scored the third goal.
Spain produced a remarkable 10 shots on target, while Austria had zero efforts on target, all thanks to La Roja’s brickwall-like defence. The Spaniards also took nine corner kicks in the statement victory, while Austria failed dismally to get a corner.
Did Spain Get Seven Points in the Group Stage?
La Roja qualified for the Round of 32 after accumulating an impressive seven points in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain won two matches and drew one in the first phase of the competition.
With a history of starting slowly at major tournaments, Luis de la Fuente’s team scored five goals in three matches, while displaying their defensive abilities by conceding none.
During the group stage, Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 on 27 June, trounced Saudi Arabia 4-0 on 21 June, and drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in their World Cup opener on 15 June.
Did Argentina Eliminate England in the Semi-Final?
Argentina edged England 2-1 in an epic comeback victory in the semi-final of the global showpiece at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 15 July 2026.
After a goalless first half, Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, assisted by Morgan Rogers. Thomas Tuchel then decided to change his formation after going 1-0 up against the Argentines.
Tuchel decided to defend and introduced defence-minded players, intending to protect the 1-0 lead. His tactical move backfired big time, as the reigning champions intensified their attack.
Lionel Scaloni introduced attack-minded substitutes, including Lautaro Martinez and Rodrigo de Paul. Scaloni’s tactics proved lethal, with England’s defence ultimately crumbling at the death.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez levelled the score in the 85th minute with a rocket from the edge of the box. Lionel Messi set up Fernandez.
Messi then provided a decisive assist for Martinez. The Inter Milan forward scored the winner in the 90+2 minute, sending Argentina to the final match against Spain.
The Argentines won six corner kicks in the thriller and took five shots on target, while England took only one corner kick.
Argentina Thrashes Switzerland in the Quarter-Final
Argentina trounced a ten-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in a tightly contested quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 12 July 2026.
Alexis Mac Allister scored a beautiful header in the 10th minute, giving the defending champions a dream start to the clash. Lionel Messi provided the assist.
However, Switzerland players pulled their socks up in the second half, ultimately levelling the score in the 67th minute. Dan Ndoye, assisted by Ricardo Rodriguez, silenced the Argentines when he scored the equaliser.
Breel Embolo then placed Switzerland at a disadvantage when he was sent off for diving in the 72nd minute. Referee Joao Pinheiro reduced the Swiss to ten players after showing Embolo his second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review.
Regardless of being a man down for over 15 minutes, Switzerland fought until the final whistle, forcing the match into extra time. Julian Alvarez then rubbed salt into Switzerland’s wound, scoring a beauty in the 112th minute. Jose Lopez provided the assist when Alvarez made it 2-1.
Lautaro Martinez then put the game beyond Switzerland’s reach, extending Argentina’s lead to 3-1 in the 120+1 minute.
With seven shots on target, Argentina also won eight corner kicks in the dominant extra-time victory, while Switzerland took only two corners.
Argentina Sends Egypt Home in a Controversial Round of 16 Clash
The reigning champions defeated Egypt 3-2 in a controversial Round of 16 clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 7 July 2026.
Yasser Ibrahim stunned Argentina when he opened the scoring in the 15th minute, assisted by Marwan Attia. In a twist of events, Argentina won a penalty in the 21st minute. However, Lionel Messi failed to convert from the spot.
In one of the biggest controversial decisions in the clash, referee Francois Letexier disallowed Mostafa Ziko’s stunning goal in the 58th minute for a foul in the build-up after a VAR review.
However, Ziko’s tears were wiped when he doubled the Egyptians’ score in the 67th minute, assisted by Haissem Hassan. With about ten minutes left and trailing by two goals, many thought the Argentinians were done.
However, Argentina pulled a rabbit out of the hat, staging a thrilling comeback victory against the African giants. Cristian Romero changed the score to 2-1 in the 79th minute, assisted by Messi.
Messi then rectified his earlier mistake, scoring the equaliser in the 83rd minute, assisted by Gonzalo Montiel. Enzo Fernandez then completed the comeback, scoring the winning goal in the 90+2 minute. Lautaro Martinez assisted Fernandez.
The Egyptians claimed that Salah was fouled in the box a few seconds before Fernandez’s winner. They wanted the referee to disallow the goal and review their penalty appeal, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.
Argentina, with seven shots on target, took six corner kicks in the match, while Egypt took only one corner.
Argentina Overcomes Cape Verde in Round of 32 Thriller
The Argentines needed extra time to overcome minnows Cape Verde 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on 4 July 2026.
Despite the defeat, Cape Verde, ranked 67 in the FIFA rankings, won millions of hearts for going toe-to-toe with the reigning world champions.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, assisted by Lisandro Martinez. However, Deroy Duarte levelled the score for Cape Verde in the 59th minute, assisted by Ryan Mendes. His goal forced the match to go into extra time.
Lisandro Martinez then restored his nation’s lead in the 92nd minute, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Cape Verde dug deep and continued playing beautiful football until Argentina’s defence crumbled.
Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled the score in the 103rd minute, scoring one of the goals of the tournament from outside the box. Yannick Semedo got the assist.
With luck on their side, Argentina scored the winning goal in the 111th minute. Diney Borges, unfortunately, gifted the Argentines the third goal after deflecting a shot into his own net.
Argentina took a whopping ten shots on target, while Cape Verde took five. Lionel Scaloni’s team and Cape Verde won eight corners each in the thriller.
Argentina Gets Nine Points in the Group Stage
Scaloni’s team advanced to the knockout stage after winning three matches in the group stage, accumulating nine points.
The spirited Argentina side scored eight goals in the first phase of the global showpiece, while conceding only one. The two clean sheets in three matches proved that the attack-minded nation was also unbreakable in defence.
During the group stage, Argentina destroyed Jordan 3-1 on 28 June, trounced Austria 2-0 on 22 June, and defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener on 17 June.
Spain vs Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup Final: Head-to-Head Results in the Last Five Matches
Below, SportPurse zooms in on the head-to-head results of the last five matches between Spain and Argentina, from 1999 to 2018.
Spain 6-1 Argentina
La Roja humiliated Argentina 6-1 in an international friendly at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on 27 March 2018. Isco netted three goals in the thriller.
Diego Costa opened the scoring in the 12th minute, assisted by Marco Asensio. Asensio provided another assist when Isco doubled Spain’s score in the 27th minute. Nicolas Otamendi, assisted by Ever Banega, then pulled one back for the Argentines in the 39th minute.
However, Isco extended the Spaniards’ score in the 52nd minute, assisted by Iago Aspas. Three minutes later, Thiago scored Spain’s fourth goal, changing the score to 4-1.
Aspas, who came on in the 46th minute, also registered his name on Spain’s scoresheet in the 73rd minute. A minute later, Aspas grabbed his second assist of the match, providing the final pass to Isco. Isco made it an impressive 6-1.
With a whopping six shots on target, Spain only took one corner kick in the statement victory, while Argentina took five corners and three shots on target.
Argentina 4-1 Spain
The Argentines hammered Spain 4-1 in a thrilling international friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on 7 September 2010.
Argentina disrespected Spain in the showdown just a few months after the Spaniards became world champions at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Three minutes later, Gonzalo Higuain doubled the hosts’ score. Carlos Tevez made it 3-0 in the 34th minute, ensuring Argentina went into the halftime break with a comfortable lead.
Fernando Llorente reduced the deficit for Spain in the 84th minute. However, Sergio Aguero extended the Argentines’ lead to 4-1 in the 90th minute.
With six shots on target, Argentina took just one corner kick in the thriller, while Spain took four shots on target and won four corners.
Spain 2-1 Argentina
Spain edged Argentina 2-1 in a closely contested international friendly at Vicente Calderon in Madrid on 14 November 2009.
Xabi Alonso scored a brace in the clash. The former Real Madrid manager opened the scoring in the 16th minute. However, Lionel Messi levelled the score in the 62nd minute. The legendary former Barcelona forward converted from the spot.
With his second goal of the match, Alonso found the back of the net in the 86th minute. He also converted from the spot, ensuring that Spain won the friendly at the death.
Spain 2-1 Argentina
The Spaniards edged Argentina 2-1 in another thrilling international friendly at Enrique Roca on 11 October 2006.
Xavi put Spain in front in the 33rd minute. However, Daniel Bilos levelled the score a minute later. David Villa won the match for La Roja in the 63rd minute after converting from the spot.
Spain 0-2 Argentina
Argentina thumped Spain 2-0 in another riveting international friendly at Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja on 17 November 1999.
Kily Gonzalez broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, and Mauricio Pochettino doubled the Argentines’ score in the 75th minute.
Most of the players who participated in the match, including Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone, and Pochettino, have become respected football coaches.
Who Are the Key Players on the Spanish Side?
Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Mikel Merino are the key players in the Spanish team ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina.
Oyarzabal is in exceptional form at the tournament, having already scored five goals and provided one assist in seven matches. Yamal, who battled with fitness at the start of the global showpiece, has found the back of the net just once in seven appearances at the World Cup.
The talented Barcelona teenager is an intelligent and skillful footballer who can unlock any defence. Yamal can hurt any team at any time, like he did when he won a penalty against France.
Merino, who was clinical in front of goal during the World Cup Qualifiers, has brought his A-game to the actual competition. Off the bench, the Arsenal forward has found the back of the net twice at this year’s competition.
Rodri, who has won the Ballon d’Or, is another tactically gifted midfielder on the Spanish team. He has an extraordinary ability to control the game tempo, protect his defence, and neutralise his opponents in the middle of the park.
Key Players in the Argentine Team
Lionel Messi is, without any doubt, one of the key players on the Argentine team. The superstar has single-handedly carried Argentina into the final against Spain.
The Ballon d’Or winner has been a consistent performer throughout the tournament and is the biggest threat in the Argentina national football team despite his old age. Messi has already netted eight goals and provided four assists at this year’s global showpiece.
Enzo Fernández is another crucial player in Lionel Scaloni’s team. Fernandez is the engine in the Argentine midfield and has already scored twice at the competition.
Another crucial player in the defending champions’ attack is Lautaro Martinez. The Inter Milan forward has banged in three goals and provided one assist.
For a live score of the Spain vs Argentina fixture and a detailed match timeline, including scorers, cards, and substitutions, visit our live scores page.
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