Once the trophy is lifted by either Spain or Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday night, attention will shift from the 2026 World Cup to the upcoming domestic season. Former player predictions as the European and South American champions clash in a World Cup final for the first time. Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario predicts Spain will easily defeat Argentina in the World Cup final.
He believes Spain's possession-based game will prove too much for Lionel Messi's team. Unbeaten Spain enters the championship match with a strong defensive record. Argentina seeks its fourth world title and aims to defend its crown.
Ronaldo's prediction stems from Spain and France being his tournament favorites. Forty-eight nations competed in the largest FIFA World Cup in history and two are left standing, with Spain in search of its second World Cup title and Argentina shooting for back-to-back championships. Sunday promises to be far more than a football match, as it is a clash between Europe's most organised side and South America's most ruthless champions.
The post World Cup Final Preview: Messi’s last dance meets Spain’s quest for new era appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria. ⚽ World Cup final starts at 3pm EST, 8pm BST, 5am AEST⚽ Player guide | Golden Boot | Follow on TikTok | Mail usWatching England against France – though, of course, defensive intensity was lower – it was still noticeable how dangerous Saka and Marcus Rashford were on the counter. Had Tuchel sent them on against Argentina soon after England scored, Lionel Scaolini’s men would’ve had to respect it and might well have feared it, forced, at the very least, to leave defenders back to mark them, while their own team would’ve had out-balls and a serious threat, meaning when they cleared their lines, it wouldn’t have simply been to face yet another attack.It find it strange that, given his team struggled for control and also to break down tight defences, Tuchel didn’t give Mainoo a single second on the pitch – and seemed to have decided as much by the Panama game, when he brought on Henderson in preference.
England desperately lacked midfield balance, control, poise and craft, a problem that eventually cost them – and is the main reason I’d have given them little chance of beating Spain had they made the final. Anderson and Rice are fine players, but given Bellingham is essential, I’d want only one, with the trio completed by a more technical and cerebral type – which needn’t be Mainoo, he was just the only one in the squad. It is also the first time since Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to back-to-back World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990 that the country has reached consecutive title matches.
Argentina won the World Cup in 1986 before finishing runners-up in 1990. Their seven final appearances have come in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, 2022 and 2026. Having guided Spain to within one victory of a second FIFA World Cup title, De la Fuente admitted reaching football's biggest stage was already a privilege, but insisted his team would leave everything on the pitch in pursuit of glory The post World Cup Final: Spain coach unveils plan to stop Messi, Argentina appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
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