Spain - Argentina: history of confrontations

The football world got the final that millions of fans dreamed of. Spain and Argentina will determine the new world champion in a packed Met Life Stadium, and many stories are already being born around this confrontation. Lionel Messi will be playing what is likely to be his final World Cup match, while Lamine Yamal is looking to finally establish himself as world football's new superstar and take over from the experienced Argentine. Together with our partner betking, we recall the rich history of the relationship between these national teams, which includes 14 matches, 6 victories of each team, 2 draws and absolute equality in all indicators. World Championship-1966 in England. The only official battle The only official match between Spain and Argentina took place at the 1966 World Cup in England, and it was the opening group stage match at Villa Park. Despite the status of favorites, the Spaniards unexpectedly conceded. Argentina, under the leadership of Juan Carlos Lorenzo, came into the game with an incredible attitude. The hero of the meeting was striker Luis Artime, who scored a quick double in the second half, scoring in the 65th and 79th minutes. Spain responded with a goal from Pirri just two minutes after the first goal of the Argentines, but La Rosa was not enough - 2:1 in favor of the "Albiceleste". For Spain, the defeat was also fatal: the team took only third place in the group and was eliminated from the tournament. Argentina reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to the English hosts. This match for many decades remained the only competitive confrontation between the two giants - until the 2026 final. Argentina — Spain 2:1 Goals: Artime, 65, 79 — Pirri, 67 Argentina: Roma, Ferreiro, Marzolini, Perfumo, Albrecht, Onega, Rattin (k), Solari, Artime, Gonzalez, Mas. Spain: Iribar, Gallego, Sanchis, Silvestre, Del Sol, Gento (c), Ufarte, Pirri, Soko, Luis Suarez, Peiro. Buenos Aires, 2010. Defeat of the world champions 44 years after the only official meeting, the national teams met in one of their friendly matches, which became one of the brightest in the history of the confrontation. Argentina hosted Spain at the Monumental in Buenos Aires - the Spaniards arrived as reigning world champions, but that didn't matter that night. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 10th minute, silencing critics who reproached him for his lack of performance in the national team. Gonzalo Higuain doubled the lead in three minutes, and Carlos Tevez in the 34th minute brought the score to a crushing 3-0 before the break. In the second half, Spain tried to turn the tide of the game, and Fernando Llorente reduced the gap in the 84th minute, but the final result was set by Sergio Aguero in the 90th minute - 4:1. It was Spain's heaviest defeat in many years, and Messi's last career game against the country where he spent most of his club career. Argentina — Spain 4:1 Goals: Messi, 10, Higuain, 13, Tevez, 34, Aguero, 90 — Llorente, 84 Argentina: Romero, Milito, Demichelis, Mascherano (c), Heinze, Banega, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Messi, Higuain (Aguero, 68), Tevez (Di Maria, 60). Spain: Reina, Arbeloa, Marchena, Montreal, Pique, Fabregas (Xavi, 56), Silva (Llorente, 46), Iniesta (Navas, 46), Busquets, Alonso (k), Villa (Valdes, 46). Warning: Milito, Cambiasso, Heinze — Arbeloa, Fabregas, Montreal Madrid, 2018. Isco's revenge and destruction without Messi The last meeting of the teams took place a few months before the 2018 World Cup. Argentina came to Madrid without the injured Lionel Messi - and it cost them a crushing defeat. The Spaniards under the leadership of Julen Lopetegui put on a real show at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Costa opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and then Isco came to the forefront. The midfielder, who was playing for Real at that time, completed a hat-trick, scoring in the 27th, 52nd and 74th minutes. Nicolas Otamendi reduced the deficit in the 39th minute, but it was only an episode. Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas made it an obscene 6-1, Argentina's heaviest defeat in over 60 years. This match still remains a painful memory for the "albiceleste" and at the same time the brightest victory for Spain in the history of the confrontation. Spain — Argentina 6:1 Goals: Costa, 12, Isco, 27, 52, 74, Thiago, 55, Aspas, 73 — Otamendi, 39 Spain: De Gea, Carvajal, Pique (Azpilicueta, 72), Ramos, Alba (Alonso, 79), Iniesta (Niguez, 56), Koke, Thiago (Parejo, 82), Isco (Vazquez, 76), Asensio, Costa (Aspas, 46). Argentina: Romero (Caballero, 22), Bustos (Mercado, 62), Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico, Mascherano (Pavon, 56), Banega (Perez, 62), Billa, Lo Sel