Messi's Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final
Sports commentator Dan Dakich previews the FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain, highlighting Lionel Messi's leadership. Dakich predicts that Argentina will win, praising Messi's consistent greatness. The conversation then shifted to WNBA star Caitlin Clark, who NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called a 'political football' amid the physical play controversy. Dakich attributes other problems to jealousy and envy of WNBA players.
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And just like that, it all came down to Spain and Argentina.
Two football powerhouses will look to write their names in the history books and become World Cup champions when they play at 3 pm ET Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
For Argentina, they have a chance to become the first consecutive World Cup winner since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962, and just the third country to win consecutive titles. Italy first won back-to-back World Cups in 1934 and 1938.
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(Left) Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina reacts during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Georgia, July 15, 2026. (Right) Lamine Yamal (19) of Spain reacts during warm-up before the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Dallas, Spain and Arlington, on July 6, in Atlanta, Georgia, in Spain 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo; Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
However, for as long as Argentina faced England in the semi-finals, it was not clear that they would get the chance to make history. The Three Lions held Argentina without a scoresheet for 85 minutes, but Lionel Messi sparked another thrilling come-from-behind win.
Anthony Gordon opened the scoring when he buried the ball that was curled by Morgan Rogers to put England on the board in the 55th minute. Harry Kane sparked the counter with a long pass that left the Argentine defense flummoxed for the first time in the game.
However, that would end up being the Three Lions' only real scoring chance of the game. After England got on the board, Argentina's pressure was relentless, but England managed to block Argentina's attack for about 30 minutes.
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Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates his goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo Agency/Getty Images)
They finally broke through when Messi set up Enzo Fernandez just outside the penalty box, and the 25-year-old curled a volley around England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Lautaro Martinez then played hero when he came off the bench and went down in Argentine football history by scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Messi recorded his second assist after collecting a loose ball and playing a beautiful ball into the penalty area, where Martinez was waiting unmarked. Martinez headed the ball past Pickford to send the Argentina fans into a frenzy as they finished their comeback.
It wasn't the first dramatic comeback run by Argentina in the title game. In the Round of 16, they scored three goals in 13 minutes to shut out Egypt 2-0 in the second half to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
How to watch France vs Spain: Stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final live
In Spain, their run was less impressive, but still incredibly dominant.
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Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after converting a penalty to score his team's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
They have shut out their opponents in six of their seven games, and have conceded just one goal in all competitions. Belgium was the most advanced country against Spain, but the Spaniards beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Facing France in the semi-finals, Spain capitalized on an early mistake and never looked back.
France's veteran full-back Lucas Digne misread the ball and challenged for a cross, but he kicked substitute Lamine Yamal, making a mistake and giving Spain a penalty in the 22nd minute.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored a penalty for Spain, giving the Spaniards a chance they would never give up.
Pedro Porro scored twice for Spain in the 58th minute, when he broke through the French field and scored after beating the French goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a pass from Dani Olmo.
The French tried to get back into the game, but Spain's defense was too sound to break through, and hold on for the win.
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Pedro Porro of Spain celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 14, 2026. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
When: Sunday, July 19, 2026
Where: New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: THE CONCENTRATION
Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports
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