LIVE: Argentina v Spain, World Cup final
This article previews the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, highlighting the tactical contrast between Spain's possession-based style and Argentina's emotional, Messi-led approach. It notes key player fitness concerns and the potential impact of younger, fresher legs for the Spanish side.
Why it matters
The World Cup final is the most-watched sporting event globally, representing the pinnacle of international football competition.
The Champions League final may have better players and more co-ordinated teams, but for sheer drama, excitement, unpredictability and anticipation, the World Cup final remains the biggest game in football.
Tonight’s clash is a fascinating encounter between Spain’s meditative, cerebral brand of football and Argentina’s more chaotic, emotion-filled, Messi-inspired approach.
One of the many fascinating subplots is that the two key figures for the sides were being written off until recently – Messi, owing to his age, and Rodri, because of his ACL problems.
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