.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
NEW YORK – We think of Argentina as Lionel Messi’s team, and how could we not? He is the greatest player in the history of world soccer, the guy who gradually turned Messi vs. Ronaldo into a one-man answer.
And because Messi is small, slight, most often removed from any substantially physical interactions, we forget this one aspect of Argentina that is revealed when necessary: Those are some bad dudes.
Ask England’s Elliot Anderson, who still might be feeling that forearm Enzo Hernandez threw into the back of his skull just four minutes into Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal in Atlanta. Ask any of the English players right winger Giuliano Simeone fouled five times in just 72 minutes (without drawing a card), or those who absorbed Argentina’s 12 first-half fouls committed in an obvious attempt to establish a tone.
The element of Argentina’s squad that appears to be the greatest concern for Spain as the two teams enter the World Cup final Sunday at New York/New Jersey Stadium is their incomparable ability to recover from the brink of extinction.
What might matter more is hands, forearms, elbows, shoulders.
DECOURCY: 26 thoughts on the '26 World Cup
“That’s all part of football. We will see how the game plays out,” Spain captain Rodri told the assembled media at the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side. “I like to think they are a national team that gives their utmost, and they don’t go down a bad way. But if we enter such a stage of the game, obviously we must ignore that and try to play our game.”
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is friends with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, so he was having none of the discussion of Argentina as a “dark arts” style of team.
“On Sunday, we will watch a great show: two great national teams, two super teams, very similar in terms of attitude,” de la Fuente said. “Of course, each team will try to take the game to their own side. I believe both Spain and Argentina will have a gameplan where talent and good football will rule over everything else. And the referee will be there to support us, to keep the great football intact and show that the football is worthy of a World Cup final.”
2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
In fact, Spain has committed 80 fouls in this World Cup to Argentina’s 88, so it may be just the impression the Argentines created with their most recent game. One can argue the latter side had more fouls that went uncalled – for instance, the one that might have been assigned to Messi for stepping on the calf of an Algerian player as the two pursued a ball that seemed headed out of play. But it’s unlikely anyone has been keeping as close an eye on Spain, because they don’t have the same reputation.
“There is no defined style for our team,” Rodri said. “There are different stages in a match. I don’t think all the matches are the same, and I think Sunday’s match will be quite different. It will be a more physical one. We must be prepared. If we are known for one thing in this national team, it’s that we know how to play different types of games.”
BONN: Why Spain will beat Argentina in World Cup final
The nature of the game, whether it devolves into excess physicality, can be filed under the same World Cup heading as Spain prepared to encounter throughout this tournament. The coaches addressed all of it before the opening game.
“We had a meeting with the players, and I told them how this unique World Cup would pan out: the specifications, humidity, time zone, long travel, heat, recovery,” de la Fuente said. “We ended up saying: It is what it is. From then on, no one’s complained. Everyone’s proud to be here.”
A little bit of sweat pouring off the forehead is a good bit different than being thrown to the ground. Spain will need to be ready for both.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:
English (US)