Spain to face Argentina in World Cup final after extended unbeaten run

By Emily Turner — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

Spain’s Dominant Form

Spain will compete in the World Cup final against Argentina, having maintained an impressive unbeaten streak. Their 2-0 victory over France in the semi-final extended their run to 37 games without a loss in normal or extra time. This achievement equals the best such stretch recorded by a European team, a statistic highlighted by Opta. However, it is noted that Spain did experience a loss in the 2025 Nations League final against Portugal, which was decided by penalties.

The current unbeaten run for Spain began after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024. This streak includes 11 matches against prominent national teams such as Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, alongside victories in tournament qualifiers.

Historically, Spain has demonstrated significant dominance, accounting for six of the 11 instances where a European nation has gone at least 25 games without defeat. Five of these periods have occurred within the last 22 years, underscoring their consistent performance over two decades.

Key Players and Managerial Approach

Several players have contributed to Spain‘s sustained success. Fabián Ruiz has played 49 times for his country without experiencing a loss, excluding shootouts. Despite his contributions, Ruiz is not among the top five players in terms of minutes played during the current unbeaten stretch.

The player with the most minutes in this period is Marc Cucurella. Other key players include Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, Lamine Yamal, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who have been heavily relied upon by manager Luis de la Fuente. De la Fuente has utilized 62 players across the 37 matches, indicating the depth of talent available to the squad.

Of the 15 players who have made at least 20 appearances during the unbeaten run, 10 started the World Cup semi-final, four entered as substitutes, and Martín Zubimendi was available on the bench. This suggests a consistent core group within the broader squad rotation.

Final Matchup Against Argentina

The upcoming final will feature a clash of distinct playing styles. Spain is known for its possession-based approach, focusing on ball retention and intricate passing to create scoring opportunities. Rodri is expected to be central to this strategy, dictating the tempo from midfield.

In contrast, Argentina is characterized by an aggressive and passionate style of play, prioritizing physical challenges and attempting to disrupt opponents’ rhythm. This tactic was evident in their semi-final match against England, where they aimed to unsettle key players.

Both teams bring significant experience in winning major trophies. Spain is the reigning European champion, while Argentina has secured three consecutive major international titles, including the previous World Cup. Lionel Messi remains a pivotal figure for Argentina, while Lamine Yamal is considered a rising star for Spain.

In a separate development during Argentina‘s semi-final celebrations, players unfurled a banner with the message “LAS MALVINAS SON ARGENTINAS” (The Malvinas (The Falklands) are Argentine). This political message, displayed by players including Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martínez, could lead to action from FIFA, as the organization’s rules prohibit banners of a political nature.

Source: theguardian.com