World Cup Final RECAP - Spain vs Argentina free streams, build-up

Ready for the World Cup final?

Welcome to New Jersey!

Thanks for joining us on the big day: the World Cup 2026 final!

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a suburb of New York City, will be where the action kicks off at 8pm BST. Spain and Argentina, the two best teams of the tournament with France dropping off the radar in their last two games, will face each other in what promises to be a match for the ages.

Who will ultimately triumph? Stay with us here from now until the match concludes and we'll bring you all the action.

Messi v Yamal

The Argentinian captain and - possibly still the greatest of all time - Messi and the Spanish teenage superstar Yamal are both front and centre for their countries today.

Bizarrely there's also a photo of Messi holding Yamal as a baby for a charity photoshoot that has been doing the rounds. Now, there paths cross all these years later for a final showdown.

Yamal has not really delivered yet this tournament - only one goal and no assists to his name - whereas Messi is chasing the Golden Boat with his current 8 goals to Mbappe's 10.

So, who will come out on top?

How to watch the match wherever you are

Not figured out how you're going to watch the game yet?

Based in the UK? You have a choice of BBC iPlayer for which you'll need a TV licence or ITVX. If you're based down under, then you're best bet is SBS On Demand and for our American viewers head ton FOX / Telemundo.

Not based in any of these countries? No worries, you can still watch it on these services but first ensure you unlock your free streams with Norton VPN (100% risk free).

The race for the Golden Boot

So, Messi needs to score two goals to equalise Mbappe and get another goal or assist to go ahead of him.

If he gets two goals but no assists then they'll be tied and it'll go down to fewest minutes played...so there's a lot riding on Messi for this final World Cup game.

Never rule out Messi though.

2 hours until kickoff!

We're inching closer to the Spain v Argentina kickoff.

If it's even a shadow of the already iconic France v Argentina World Cup final from 2022 - three goals each and then penalties - we're in for a treat.

It could equally be a testy match as both sides don't want to concede...but that's not Spain's style to be fair.

Stick with us as we bring more news as we get it.

Euros winner v World Cup winner

So, Spain who are the most recent winner of the last Euros will play the most recent winner of the most recent World Cup...who will win?

The smart money would be on Argentina who want to make this two consecutive World Cups and make it a big sendoff for potentially Messi's last one.

But never rule out the consistent Spanish...

Another 10 goal game?

For those who were watching the Bronze final yesterday - a rather stupidly renamed match that no one wanted to play - it turned out to be an incredible game.

France v England could have been a nonstarter of a game but with England dominating the first half 4-0 and then France nearly catching up 4-3 in the second half before a Saka penalty, another French goal and then a Bellingham last minute masterclass, it was anything but!

No one could have been predicted a 10 goal game, and while we may not see that goal tally today fingers crossed for that same thrilling play.

England went out with a bang last night but will both of tonight's teams?

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul in training

Yesterday saw Argentina take to their final training session before today's final in Morristown, New Jersey.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul lead the Argentina team and look to take them to their next World Cup victory today.

One hour until kick off!

Not too much longer until the game kicks off, don't go anywhere!

We'll walk through both team's Starting XI and everything else you need to know before both teams start very soon...

Closing time for the World Cup

It's nearly curtains up for another four years at the World Cup and it's been an incredible tournament.

Many were sceptical about more countries and more games but we've seen some fascinating matches such as Cape Verde's underdog attempt to go all the way, the rise of a new American team who are actually good and some last minute nail-biters.

We've also seen some shocking VAR/ref decisions and the most blatant corruption from Infantino regarding Balogun's red card. So, it probably balances out.

But all that doesn't matter as it's all come down to this final game...

Starting XI's announced

Well, here are the teams...

Argentina Starting XI

(4-4-2): Dibu Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Nico González; Messi, Julián Álvarez.

Spain Starting XI

(4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal; Oyarzabal.

Spain's World Cup stats

Considering how dominant Spain have been this tournament you'd be forgiven for thinking they'd have racked up a few World Cups already.

They've only been in the final and won once. The same amount as England.

To put that in perspective they won in 2010 against the Netherlands and that's all they've got in their back pocket. They've won the Euros four times, most recently against England, but a second World Cup win would put them on equal pegging with both France and Uruguay.

Will we see a European World Cup winner today?

Argentina's World Cup stats

Argentina are looking for a fourth World Cup win which would put them on the same number as Germany and Italy, both of whom have been on the decline in recent years.

Messi has seen them lose a World Cup final in 2014 against Germany and then win against France in 2022. Won one, lost one...will he be able to win a final World Cup for his country?

If not you sense that he'll be back aged 43 in 2030 for some unfinished business..

Seats still empty due to a glitch

Apparently due to a FIFA glitch, there are big queues outside the stadium as tickets are struggling to be scanned.

This means a lot of seats remaining unfilled at the moment which is pushing back the ceremony and potentially even the game.

It wouldn't be FIFA without some last minute scandal/muck up. You'll just have to stick with me a bit longer...

The 'entertainment' starts

They love to really milk the Star-Spangled Banner and Jennifer Hudson does just that. A fantastic singer but a very dragged out rendition.

It's a thankless job and you always get stick for singing it so fair play to her for singing it.

And now we sit through a very forgettable FIFA anthem from Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini - three people who have clearly never been in a room together. It feels like if you asked AI to write a FIFA anthem and select three singers at random.

And now Tom Cruise...being Tom Cruise

Did anyone expect Tom Cruise to make an appearance?

Wheeled out at the end of Paris 2024 to to lead the handover for LA 2028, and now released into the stadium to perform an AI-written generic speech summarising the World Cup.

You can certainly say that the hosts have certainly put their own American spin on the World Cup. For better or worse.

The teams walk on to the pitch

Enter Spain and Argentina!

They walk past the World Cup trophy to get on the pitch and show a lot of self restraint, most barely looking at the prize that they'll be desperately competing for over the next 90 minutes (maybe longer).

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Argentina bring the volume

It's unclear who actually has the most fans in the stadium but if volume is any indication it's definitely Argentina.

The European champions play the World Cup champions for the first time ever, so it promises to be a thrilling ride.

We're nearly ready for kick off!

Kick off!

Argentina kicks off proceedings.

Vamos!

Spain on the front foot

Spain are dominating proceedings, as expected, looking dangerous but kept at bay by Argentina.

Argentina now counter.

Yamal has two shots within five minutes

Spain, led by Yamal, have two tasty shots on target within the first five minutes!

But as they've already done, Argentina responded with a dangerous counter which the goalie just about stopped.

Things look set for a great game.

Spain pressing

The Spanish are looking very comfortable inside the Argentina box...could we see an early goal?

Painful memories for England

Both teams playing have brought a lot of sorrow to England fans and players.

Argentina most recently knocking out the Three Lions earlier this week in the semifinals and Spain defeating them in the Euros 2024 finals.

Having said that, England will most likely be cheering on their European neighbours and least recent tormentors. But a lot of people love Messi.

Ball possession 50/50

Ball possession has been fairly equal so far which is good for Argentina who want to disrupt Spain's usually stellar control of the game.

Nearly hydration break. Let's hear those boos.

Hydration break over

Okay, let's see some goals...

Who will score first?

In 6 of the last 7 World Cup finals, the team who has scored first has won the final...another useless stat for ya.

Regardless going one nil up is a massive psychological advantage, unless you're England and then we'll just play defensive until we concede.

Argentina defence too strong

Spain are searching for a chink in the Argentinian defence but can't get through.

This may well be a goalless first half and some stern halftime pep talks on both sides.

First yellow of the game

Argentina's Martinez picks up a yellow for a poor tackle which does ultimately slow down Spain who were progressing dangerously up the pitch.

Cucurella shoots and Matrinez down

Cucurella takes a shot on target but it's stopped by the goalie.

Martinez is down and being replaced which is not great for Argentina.

We're approaching halftime and the halftime show, god help us all.

4 minutes added time

It looks unlikely we'll see a goal in the 4 minutes added time but let's see...

Goalless at halftime

It's been a tiny bit underwhelming but still some shots on target and some drama...just no goals.

Let's see if we get some Messi magic or Spanish skills in the second half...

...but first this halftime show. Let's see if the unlikely combo of BTS, Madonna and Coldplay will work and if it's worth pushing halftime up to 25 minutes.

Madonna walks on to the pitch

Madonna...and the Muppets?!

Not a duo you'd put together, singing Seven Nation Army with some Norway rowing chants (cos why not?) which was preceded by a lacklustre original song from Madonna.

And now BTS who do actually seem to get a reaction from the audience. They're really cramming a lot into a short amount of time.

Ted Lasso introduces Justin Bieber

And now, Jason Sudeikis makes a cameo as American 'soccer' coach Ted Lasso...I'm surprised it took them until the final to find a way to get America's best known and most popular football offering involved.

He intros JB who gives a bit of a downer of a song before making way to Shakira.

It's a tonal whiplash. They've obviously gone for quantity over quality.

Well, that was a halftime show

Did it justify a 25 minute extended halftime? No, but it certainly was something.

Unfair for the players having to wait around while Madonna and JB strut around the stage but there we go.

We go again!

Second half starts with a decent shot from Spain.

Start as you mean to go on.

A bit scrappy

Argentina v Spain has really turned into that.

A yellow card for Spain's Rodri as both teams square up to each other.

Spain free kick opportunity

Spain have an opportunity...and they squander it.

Maybe the final is adding nerves, maybe Argentina have proved a worthy opponent or maybe both teams have just not found their rhythm yet.

30 minutes left and extra time is rearing its head...

Spain have a shot and now a corner

Some calls for a free kick but after a deflected shot off the goalie, Spain settle for a corner...

Second hydration break

An Argentine down and a hydration break. Two bits of bad news, if you're from Argentina.

Spain are looking dominant but that's not seen any goals.

Pedri takes a shot...and misses

Maybe a little shove on the back doesn't help Pedri, but he doesn't see it go in the goal...

...but Spain aren't finished as they dominate the penalty area.

Martinez makes a good save

Spain have a shot on target...straight into the trusty gloves of Matrinez.

Argentina look a bit desperate.

Messi strolls casually around the pitch...as he will do

A quick one before full time?

Spain and Argentina are no strangers to scoring, when it counts, before full time.

Argentina broke English hearts when they did so earlier this week and against Egypt, and Spain's path to the knockout was based on stoppage time goals.

I'm calling it though: extra time stalemate.

Foul or dive?

It looks like Messi ran into a Spanish player but you could also argue it's a Spain foul.

It's a free kick, will they make it count?

Argentina down to 10 men!

Already on a yellow card, Fernandez takes a second yellow after he sends a Spanish player flying...and it's a red!

Argentina will be playing extra time with 10 men...they are on the back foot if they weren't enough already.

Another foul on Spain

Luckily Argentina avoid going down to 9 men after another dodgy tackle after a player already on a yellow makes a reckless tackle...but they've given away a free kick.

Will they seize it?

Extra time it is!

Yamal has a decent free kick that's heading in but Martinez stops it!

Extra time it is. Vamos!

30 minutes to make history

Argentina down to 10 men, it's Spain's to lose surely but 30 minutes is enough time to provide magic for either side.

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Martinez shows why he gets paid the big bucks

Another Spanish shot on target, a lovely header, but Martinez bats it away.

16 attempts on goal from Spain and 11 on target...and 0 attempts on goal from Argentina with 0 on target.

But if Argentina can hold on for 30 minutes they have the better track record with penalties.

Still anyone's game.

A free kick given...but the goal is not

Spain were given a free kick...but they'd already scored a goal which means it would be disallowed if this stands.

This is a big moment as the ref consults VAR.

Things are getting scrappy

Argentina coach Scaloni picks up a yellow for protesting too much from the sidelines at a controversial challenge.

The 'dark arts' are coming out now as Argentina look for any way to keep going for the next 15 minutes.

Every minute Spain don't score is an Argentine advantage.

Halftime on extra time

Final 15 minutes coming up after halftime of extra time.

The disallowed goal

Spain score!!!

Spain score!

First minute, this side of extra time halftime, sees a lovely Spanish goal from Ferran Torres.

This could be it.

Torres potentially scores the goal to win the World Cup

A goal...but offside

Torres look like he's got another goal...but the flag goes up.

Maybe a second goal is on its way for Spain but this was not it.

Williams stumbles an easy goal

Williams had a near open goal and he tried to be a bit too clever, kicking it off the pitch.

The ball goes back up the Spanish end and Messi boots it in the face of Merino. This looks painful but Argentina now have the ball, it's not over yet...

Two great opportunities for Argentina

If there was ever a chance to equalise in the dying minutes of the game, Argentina just had two.

With just 10 men and definitely the weaker team, they didn't manage to take the advantage.

3 minutes left.

Spain win!!!

They do it, Espana are victorious!

The better team won

You can't say that Spain didn't deserve to win, look at the stats and look at the last 120 minutes of football played.

Argentina were holding on and being physical - even to the point of Paredes throwing punches at the final whistle - but the talent shone through.

Maybe not the most interesting game, definitely not the Argentina v France final we saw four years ago, but it was certainly tense.

Well done Spain.

19-year-old Yamal celebrates his first World Cup win

The scrap led by Argentina's Paredes

Trump and Infantino enter...to massive boos

The awards ceremony takes place and as the two mob bosses, aka FIFA President Infantino and US President Trump, enter they are greeted with overwhelming boos.

Golden Glove goes to Unai Simon, the Spanish goalie who only conceded one goal all tournament and young player goes to the other Spanish 19-year-old who isn't Yamal: Cubarsi.

Messi can't hold back the tears

The cameras zoom in to see the tears from Argentina's Messi as Spain go up to collect their medals.

Two World Cup finals lost and one won. Not bad stats for anyone but he obviously craved the double and is thinking ahead to if he can even make 2030.

Spain raise the trophy!

What next?

Spain are now defending champions of the Euros and the World Cup...so what next?

Euros 2028 will be in the UK and Ireland and then the World Cup will be in Spain, Portugal and Morocco...favourable conditions for this team. With such a young lively squad and a proven manager it's really theirs to lose for the next tournaments, but we're still years away.

Congratulations Spain, enjoy the win.

Red and yellow: the colours of victory!

Argentine emotions run high

That's all folks!

It was barely a captivating World Cup final but it was a World Cup final. In their defence, Spain were the favourites and dominated the game and eventually found the goal after extra time halftime.

Argentina couldn't hold on to their World Cup title, Messi was denied a second World Cup, but Spain managed to secure their second ever. Well done.

Thanks for sticking with me for the last 7 hours, I've been Dan and until next time.