Spain vs. Argentina: Most memorable meetings before World Cup 2026 final

Set to stock the beauteous game's top stage, Spain and Argentina volition conscionable for the World Cup 2026 last connected Sunday, arsenic a marathon tourney yet reaches its climax.

Their seismic showdown successful New Jersey volition beryllium a existent clash of continents, marking the archetypal clip that reigning European and South American champions person ever met successful a planetary final.

As such, it should beryllium a fitting finale to much than 5 weeks of action, aft La Roja clinically eliminated favourites France successful the semi-finals portion La Albiceleste utilized earthy emotion to sound retired England.

Given their shot pedigree, though, erstwhile games betwixt the brace person been amazingly fewer and acold betwixt - conscionable 14 person taken spot truthful far.

Here, Sports Mole takes a adjacent look astatine 3 of the astir memorable meetings.

Argentina 2-1 Spain (July 13, 1966)

Argentina and Spain stock galore taste connections, astir notably speaking the aforesaid language, and successful shot presumption some nations are known for their method benignant and progressive approach. 

The brace person besides shared six wins apiece from 14 elder encounters astatine planetary level - remarkably, each but 1 person been friendlies.

Their lone competitory clash was besides the lone World Cup contest, which occurred immoderate 60 years agone successful England. 

During the 1966 radical stage, Argentina secured a 2-1 triumph astatine Villa Park, mounting them connected a way to conscionable the tourney hosts - and eventual winners - successful an infamous quarter-final. 

Scored either broadside of an equaliser from Spain midfielder Pirri - who was really making his planetary debut - Luis Artime's second-half brace sealed the woody successful beforehand of 42,000 fans.

Fondly known arsenic 'El Hermoso' (The Handsome One), Artime had been plucked from the obscurity of River Plate reserves to pb Argentina's attack, and it was a gamble that yet paid off.

On that distant summer's time successful Birmingham, helium surely outshone the archetypal Luis Suarez, a Spanish prima who was football's archetypal £200,000 subordinate and played much than 250 times for Inter Milan.

Argentina 4-1 Spain (September 7, 2010)

Spain enjoyed a aureate epoch betwixt 2008 and 2012, yet ending a agelong drought successful immoderate style, collecting 3 large trophies portion enthralling the satellite with their relentless tiki-taka football.

That play included a 2009 affable triumph implicit Argentina, when Xabi Alonso scored some of La Roja's goals, but it besides featured a daze nonaccomplishment successful Buenos Aires little than 12 months later.

Defying each expectations, La Albiceleste bushed the caller satellite champions 4-1, arsenic Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi struck archetypal against his adopted location state earlier Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain made it two.

Carlos Tevez past pounced connected a Pepe Reina mistake to agelong that pb up of the break; though Spain aboriginal pulled 1 backmost done Fernando Llorente, Sergio Aguero added Argentina's 4th during stoppage time.

It was the archetypal clip for a decennary that La Roja had conceded 4 goals - and lone their 3rd decision successful 58 games - putting a uncommon blemish connected Vicente del Bosque's superb managerial CV.

Spain 6-1 Argentina (27 March, 2018)

As this year's 'Finalissima' betwixt Argentina and Spain - reigning CONMEBOL and UEFA champions respectively - was cancelled due to the fact that of warfare breaking retired successful the Middle East, their astir caller gathering remains a affable played much than 8 years ago.

It was a reddish missive time for La Roja, who scored 4 times successful the 2nd fractional to thrash the Albiceleste 6-1.

Isco was Spain's hat-trick hero, arsenic an injured Messi watched connected helplessly from the stands astatine Madrid's Estadio Metropolitano.

The second had led his state to the upcoming World Cup with a important treble successful their last qualifier, but Real Madrid midfielder Isco stole the spotlight connected this occasion.

As a result, Julen Lopetegui's Spanish broadside stayed unbeaten for 18 consecutive games, portion Argentina were near to contemplate an historical decision - it remains 1 of lone 5 occasions they person ever conceded six.

Such a nonaccomplishment besides hinted astatine respective responsibility lines successful Jorge Sampaoli's squad, but from the ashes of a miserable World Cup run successful Russia his successor Lionel Scaloni has built a defiant set of brothers.

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