Spain
Sunday, 19 July 2026
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![Spain player ratings vs Argentina: Rodri and Pau Cubarsí set the standard]()
Spain player ratings vs Argentina: Rodri and Pau Cubarsí set the standard
Spain's ratings tell the story of a 1-0 extra-time World Cup final win over Argentina, with Rodri, Cubarsí and Nico Williams standing out.
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![Lamine Yamal World Cup final is a chance to turn a quiet tournament loud]()
Lamine Yamal World Cup final is a chance to turn a quiet tournament loud
Lamine Yamal has 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 World Cup appearances. Spain face Argentina in the final after a tournament driven by control and defence.
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![Spain vs Argentina World Cup final set up by control and moments]()
Spain vs Argentina World Cup final set up by control and moments
Spain's 63.8% possession, Rodri's 694 passes and Messi's 8 goals set up a World Cup final where structure meets moments.
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![Chris Sutton backs Spain strongly in World Cup final preview vs Argentina]()
Chris Sutton backs Spain strongly in World Cup final preview vs Argentina
Chris Sutton backs Spain for the World Cup final, saying Argentina are not outstanding and Spain have not trailed in seven games.
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![Lionel Scaloni says Argentina were put at a disadvantage before World Cup final]()
Lionel Scaloni says Argentina were put at a disadvantage before World Cup final
Lionel Scaloni says Argentina were rushed into a strange final-day training session before the World Cup final against Spain.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
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![Spain's final training cancelled as storms batter New Jersey]()
Spain's final training cancelled as storms batter New Jersey
Spain's final World Cup preparation disrupted as thunderstorms force training cancellation in New Jersey. Argentina managed to train despite weather delays.
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![World Cup 2026 team of the tournament led by Messi]()
World Cup 2026 team of the tournament led by Messi
The Independent's World Cup 2026 team of the tournament is driven by Lionel Messi's 8 goals and 4 assists, plus Spain's one-goal defence.
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![Joan Capdevila visa denial before World Cup final]()
Joan Capdevila visa denial before World Cup final
Joan Capdevila has appealed to Donald Trump after saying his ESTA was denied before the World Cup final, leaving him unable to travel with his children.
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![Capdevila denied ESTA before World Cup final as he asks Trump for help]()
Capdevila denied ESTA before World Cup final as he asks Trump for help
Joan Capdevila has appealed to Donald Trump after being denied an ESTA before the World Cup final, with travel costs and security concerns in play.
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![France vs England preview: For Bronze | World Cup Brief #13]()
France vs England preview: For Bronze | World Cup Brief #13
Two fallen giants meet for the bronze: France vs England. Mbappé, Kane, the Golden Boot and the managers under fire. Form, stars and stakes before the third-place play-off.
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![Spain vs Argentina set up as a discipline test]()
Spain vs Argentina set up as a discipline test
Laporte warned Argentina like to leave a mark on opponents, while Deco praised Lionel Messi before Spain vs Argentina.
Friday, 17 July 2026
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![Spain vs Argentina: Yamal and Porro fitness watch]()
Spain vs Argentina: Yamal and Porro fitness watch
Spain's World Cup final build-up is shaped by Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro fitness concerns, while Fabian Ruiz appears to have the edge over Pedri.
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![Lamine Yamal injury update puts Spain's World Cup final build-up on alert]()
Lamine Yamal injury update puts Spain's World Cup final build-up on alert
Lamine Yamal missed training and wore thigh strapping ahead of the World Cup final, while FIFA also discussed wildfire-smoke concerns and Trump's
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![Spain 2026's record-setting run matches the 2010 side]()
Spain 2026's record-setting run matches the 2010 side
Spain's 2026 World Cup side have six clean sheets and a 37-match unbeaten run, with Unai Simón setting a goalkeeper record.
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![Spain's win over France was really about shutting down Mbappé]()
Spain's win over France was really about shutting down Mbappé
Spain beat France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal as Kylian Mbappé managed 3 shots, 0 on target and a 5.9 rating.
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![Lamine Yamal injury scare hangs over Spain before Argentina final]()
Lamine Yamal injury scare hangs over Spain before Argentina final
Lamine Yamal missed Spain training and wore thigh strapping before the World Cup final, but Spain expect him to be ready against Argentina.
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
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![France vs Spain: Deschamps and Mbappé split blame after semifinal exit]()
France vs Spain: Deschamps and Mbappé split blame after semifinal exit
Deschamps and Mbappé questioned officiating and France's tactics after Spain's 2-0 World Cup semifinal win. Rodri also complained about fouls.
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![Lamine Yamal home targeted by burglars after Spain semi-final win]()
Lamine Yamal home targeted by burglars after Spain semi-final win
Lamine Yamal's Barcelona home was targeted in an attempted robbery hours after Spain's 2-0 World Cup semi-final win over France.
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![Thomas Tuchel on Messi and England's semi-final mood]()
Thomas Tuchel on Messi and England's semi-final mood
Thomas Tuchel said England are hungry and ready for Argentina, while warning that Lionel Messi cannot be stopped all the time.
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![We let them control: Mbappé's confession on France's World Cup exit]()
We let them control: Mbappé's confession on France's World Cup exit
Mbappé's admission that France 'let the midfield too much time to play' reveals Spain's World Cup semifinal victory came from tactical mastery, not the penalty.
Groups
Standings Group A
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Mexico | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | +7 | 12 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  South Africa | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 3 |  South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 |  Czech Republic | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
Standings Group B
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Switzerland | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +4 | 11 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Canada | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
| 3 |  Bosnia & Herzegovina | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 |  Qatar | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -8 | 1 |
Standings Group C
Standings Group D
Standings Group E
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Germany | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Ivory Coast | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 |  Ecuador | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 4 |  Curaçao | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -8 | 1 |
Standings Group F
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Netherlands | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +6 | 8 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Japan | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +3 | 5 |
| 3 |  Sweden | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 |  Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -10 | 0 |
Standings Group G
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Belgium | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +7 | 11 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Egypt | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 |  Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 |  New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -6 | 1 |
Standings Group H
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Spain | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +13 | 22 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Cape Verde Islands | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 3 |  Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| 4 |  Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 2 |
Standings Group I
Standings Group J
Standings Group K
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) |  Colombia | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 11 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Portugal | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +5 | 8 |
| 3 |  Congo DR | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 |  Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -9 | 0 |
Standings Group L
Standings Group Stage
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Qualification) | Spain | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +13 | 22 |
| 2 (Qualification) |  Norway | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | +2 | 12 |
| 3 | Belgium | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +7 | 11 |
| 4 |  Brazil | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +6 | 10 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +6 | 8 |
| 6 | Portugal | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +5 | 8 |
| 7 |  Croatia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 6 |
| 8 | Japan | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +3 | 5 |
| 9 |  Paraguay | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 5 |
| 10 | Congo DR | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 |  Ghana | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 12 | Ecuador | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 13 | Sweden | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| 14 |  Austria | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| 15 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| 16 |  Algeria | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 4 |
| 17 |  Senegal | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | +1 | 3 |
| 18 | Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 19 | Cape Verde Islands | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 20 | South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 21 |  Türkiye | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| 22 |  Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| 23 | Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| 24 | Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 2 |
| 25 | Czech Republic | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| 26 | New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -6 | 1 |
| 27 | Qatar | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -8 | 1 |
| 28 |  Panama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
| 29 |  Jordan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
| 30 | Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -9 | 0 |
| 31 |  Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |