On the night of July 19-20, the national teams of Spain and Argentina will face off in New Jersey in the final of the planet’s main football tournament. La Roja will try to reclaim the trophy after a 16-year hiatus, while the defending champions could become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their title successfully. The 1xBet review explains what to expect from the decisive match and what factors could influence its outcome.
Spain conceded only one goal
Luis de la Fuente's side opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, after which it went on to a six-match winning streak. In their remaining group stage games, the Spaniards defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0. In the knockout stage, they beat Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0, Belgium 2-1, and France 2-0.
Spain has conceded just once throughout the tournament. It dominates possession, denies opponents space to launch counterattacks, and leaves virtually no room around its own penalty area. Even France, which had scored 16 goals before the semifinals, looked powerless against La Roja.
Mikel Oyarzabal has already netted five times at the tournament, equalling the Spain record set by Emilio Butragueño and David Villa. However, La Roja's attacking threat extends far beyond him. The team is equally dangerous down either flank, can bring players forward from deep, and patiently break down the opposition defense with short passes in search of its weak spots.
Argentina shows its champion character
Argentina won all seven of its clashes and scored 19 goals, more than any other team in this tournament. Nevertheless, despite the statistics and its dominant play in the group stage, Lionel Scaloni’s side had to find a way out of a tough spot in every knockout round. La Albiceleste only managed to edge out Cape Verde (3-2) in extra time, miraculously came back from a 2-0 deficit against Egypt (3-2), and didn’t advance past Switzerland until after 120 minutes of hard-fought play (3-1).
Things weren't any easier in the semifinals, when England took the lead on a goal by Anthony Gordon early in the second half. It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernández for a goal, and in stoppage time, the Argentine captain’s pass found Lautaro Martínez, who secured a 2-1 victory for his country. The team’s unbeaten Global Forum run has now stretched to 13 matches.
Argentina has conceded goals in five consecutive matches but has fought back each time. This is mostly thanks to Messi, who has already scored 8 goals and recorded 5 assists in this tournament.
What to expect from the final?
This year’s final will feature the tournament’s best defense and offense. However, 1xBet analysts still give a slight edge to La Roja:
- Spain to win – 2.39;
- Draw – 3.10;
- Argentina to win – 3.66.
Follow the World Football Forum final clash and root for your favorites with 1xBet!
Published by Patrick Jane
19.07.2026