20 July, 2026 | Spain vs argentina | FIFA World Cup 26 Final | Football | FC26 Gameplay

And a warm welcome on what is an ideal night for football, you've got to say.I'm Derek Ray, and ready with his tactics board alongside me is Stuart Robson, my commentary partner.And we're fully convinced this game will live up to its billing.It's Spain versus Argentina.

Well, as is always the case, both teams will look to control the center of the pitch.Whichever can do that will dominate possession and probably the game.This is going to be key, I think, today.

The lineup for Spain.Unai Simon plays in goal.Kukureya starts with Pedro Porro in the full -back positions.Pedri starts with Rodri in central midfield.And they line up with just the one striker looking to do a bit of damage.the Argentina first team Cristian Romero starts alongside Lisandro Martinez in central defense and leading the line Lionel Messi plays alongside Lautaro Martinez 1090 minutes in prospects the momentum they're much harder to break down in those areas aren't they Armada Fernandez, Chris McCallister, Messi from a keeper, Fernando Fernandez, Spain Ricardo

possession well.

Can he put a decent delivery?Does that pressure the deal wet from the scoring here?It's with Porro.McAllister.Nowel Molina.On to McAllister.

Play for a Spain throw -in.Well worked.Please, you're pressing.Dani Olmo.On to Yamal.Pedro Porro.

Dani Olmo.To pass from Yamal.Fernandez.He play it too.Well, it came to nothing in the end.Correa.

Need to be Alex Baena.Passing pass.Medina.Almada.It's with Martinez.Medina.

Fernández.well, failure to keep the ball by Argentina.Oh, good idea.Medina, steps it away, and support available, depending it was.

Playing it through, get quicker, deal with the danger, and show more urgency.None of which they did, and that's the result.

so the match is restarted one nil here almada enzo fernandez short with the clearance it was an attack of promise but they couldn't take advantage of the situation decisive defending just for a moment that looked threatening kina successful intervention winning the ball back well they're moving it around with real purpose here alexis mccarthur it's with porro Danny Olmo.This looks threatening from Yamal.Nothing comes of it.It looked promising.Medina.Enzo Fernandez.

It's with Martinez.Cross might be on.Could be a free kick.Timely interception.

Well, that's how to defend the edge of your box.

Well, both sides encountering difficulties keeping possession.Messi, just dropping off a bit to get on the ball.

Attack was promising.

Credit is due for that good piece of defending.Lamine Yamal, sick for them.McAllister, Nahuel Molina.De Paul, a ball with Martinez.And the flag has gone up here, offside, the decision.Kukurea.

It's with Laporte.Danny Olmo, you dance?Almada.It's with Martinez.Who is likely to be given as a foul?Pedro Porro.

Needs an accurate cross.A free kick.Chance to whip it in here.Needed to be a bit better.The best challenge.Free kick.

Medina.Lisandro Martinez.Now with Medina.Almada.Fernandez.It's with Martinez.

Cucurreia.Cucurreia.Alex Baena.The ball with Rodri.Nice looking pass.And the ball back with Spain now.

Alex Baena.Laporte.Danny Olmo with it.Yamal.Danny Olmo.Mada.

Ball with Martinez.Yamal.Lamine Yamal.Looks promising.Lionel Messi.Depaul.

Messi.They're bringing themselves level.I think I spoke too soon.Wasn't there?of passes finally now perhaps they can counter from here good ball over the top and a very good challenge smart defending good positioning to win the ball back there martinez amin yamal nice ball over the top position brilliantly trentino doing well to regain possession to do damage paul tinezCucurella, Baena, Laporte.

It's with Porro.Special danger here.It's with Martinez.

Can anyone stop him?

The managers will now deliver their half -time team talks.We're at the end of 45 minutes in this game.

Well, dazzling Dani Ormo, I think we might say, based on the first half performance.How about your thoughts?took his goal well and was a constant threat throughout that first half.I thought he showed a lot of skill to get out of a tight situation and he had a real impact on the play.

So the second half begins.Who will steal the show to cut it out?It looks so promising.Nahuel Molina.

And that will be a caution.And a necessary one as well for that kind of challenge.It's gone up.Offside.

Correa.Baena.Oyarzabal.Having fine vision.That is offside.So making the substitution now.

Messi.Now with McAllister.Messi.Alexis McAllister.Defending.Messi.

McAllister.Missing attack.goes a plan in the end.Rodri, Pedro Porro, Yamal, good work from Argentina to win it back.Can he get on the end of this one?Trick, Pedro Porro, Kukureya, Hina, strong play to keep hold of the ball, nicely cut out.

Kukureya, it's with Porro, and back with Unai Simon.Kukureya, on to Pedri, smart defending, getting the ball forward.

Just throws his body on the line.Excellent play.

Alex Baena.It's with Oyarzabal.Alex Baena.Cucurella.Teamwork and passing in evidence.Well, they couldn't keep that sequence going, unfortunately.

Nahuel Molina.Robert Martinez.On her promise.Cis Macalester.De Paul.Her can breathe a big sigh of relief.

And the substitution will occur now.Lamine Yamal.You have 30 minutes to go.This looks promising.Are behind, but can they give themselves a boost with this corner?They've picked up a short one here.

Jack there at the corner, played into the box.

Garzabal.Impressive build -up.

...kick play.Defensive acumen from Laporte.Baena.And in the right position to read it.Useful ball as the delivery.Defending inside the box.

Baena.Promising position this.Danny Olmo with it.Time tackle.Martinez.Cucurella.

And the challenge halts them in their tracks.And into the last 20 minutes.Good through ball.I wondered if the keeper would have difficulties, but no problems in the end.Baena.And in the perfect position to read it.

Alvarez.Enzo Fernandez.easy on the eye but the interception was made and back to Unai Simon on to Pedri possibilities for them to counter challenge good strong play on the ball Molina de Paul they might be on to something here but then the one that goes astray well he has to be annoyed with himself there that was a big big chance Oyarzabal could be dangerous Pedro Porro doing a fine job of protecting the ball just used his strength there Enzo Fernandez Martinez Promising pass.Lamine Yamal.Yamal, quick interception.Position from which to counter.

So promising.Cucurella, Cucurella.Well, keeping the ball as they're doing is helping the cause.Committed challenge.Medina de Paul.Here's Alvarez.

Romero, late in the throw.Splendid individual performance, but the manager elects to make a change.

Well, he's hit this so well on the heart.Look at the power he generates.That's a wonderful goal.It's unstoppable.Brilliant stuff.

So the ball is rolling again at 1 -0.

And a goal here might be the clincher.

Well, it fizzles out thanks to that piece of defending.Paul is then amid impending danger.And they're making a change.And that's to go short.Strengthening.You can see what they're attempting, but it's just not coming off.

Yeah, I've been really disappointed with some of the passing here.The advantage.Pops.Pucurella, on to Pedri, Fabian, they still have designs on the way.is tight if they have designs on a comeback now well Molina here's Alvarez it's a dreadful tackle the verdict is yellow card yeah clear decision for such a reckless move now they're going to alter things here's the substitution looks useful Correa taking into account all the stoppages three minutes to be added on and Argentina giving it away Marcos LlorenteAnd Spain, Marcos Llorente has it.

Now he must play with the cross.

And there it is, the final whistle.Just what Spain were hoping for.They have delivered a victory, Stuart.What a good finish to the game that was.

They just wore down the opposition and in the end they got their reward.That's a really good win for them.

Plates whatsoever about his performance in this game.

Well if anyone deserved to be the match winner, it was him.He played really well today and what a big goal that was.

Martinez.Oh, that's a clever ball.Blocked it brilliantly.Martinez.Blocked it brilliantly.chance here in it goes the opening goal is contest martinez it's a clever ball blocked it brilliant joy having the pictures taken well these photos will be cherished for years to come won't they certainly wants to show the grandchildren