Argentina or Spain? Daily Mail Sport experts predict who will win World Cup final as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal go head to head for the first time

The reigning world champions will face the reigning European champions in Sunday’s World Cup, with Argentina hoping to retain the trophy after facing Spain.

This will be an example of what could have been for England fans and players after losing 2-1 late on to Lionel Messi and Co.

While Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals, Luis de la Fuente’s team conceded only one goal on their way to the final.

In the final to be played in New Jersey on Sunday, Messi and Lamine Yamal will share the same field for the first time, and this is an exciting development in itself.

So who will leave the USA victorious? Daily Mail Sport experts give their predictions…

Mike Keegan

Spain. From where? Because this is not Argentina! Just kidding – I think England missed an incredible opportunity because our old friends from South America aren’t that good and certainly didn’t look for them anywhere as good as England for half an hour, thanks to an unnecessary retreat that will continue to hurt for a long, long time. Spain will ease some of that pain with Rodri pulling the strings (unless they send him off).

Ollie Holt

Argentina. I’ve seen Argentina live twice this World Cup, against Cape Verde and England, and both times they fought their way through adversity and found their way to victory. My mind tells me that Spain will be too good for them and will not withdraw into itself like England. But even so, I will go with Argentina because they always find a way and this will be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup match and they are very keen to win this match for him. This seems to give them something extra too. Messi is the best player I have ever seen and I want him to reach the top.

Craig Hope

Spain. There’s a feeling that Spain will show England how you beat Argentina and, at least from our perspective, that will be the story that unfolds in the final. Oh, is that what you do? Perhaps Argentina’s will can overcome them, but I suspect Spain’s skill will triumph.

Matt Barlow

Spain. Even though I don’t trust it, it was my pre-tournament tip so I’ll stick with it. There’s no reason not to. They are probably the most complete team. Superior technical quality from start to finish. Quick and fluid, aware of the shapes and spaces required to hold the ball. They have strong tactical minds channeled through Rodri. They create and they score. They have depth and options off the bench. They win the ball back quickly. They are keeping clean sheets against Argentina, the top-scoring team in the World Cup with 19 goals, which will be tested by the resilient genius Lionel Messi and the frenzy of passion when they need it most. The best offense against the best defense. It could be a classic.

Jack Gaughan

Argentina. They just have this will, this spirit, and everything seems predetermined for them. Lionel Messi’s final World Cup win before 2022, after so many years of pain, would be fitting, especially at the end of a tournament in which he has created so much stardust on a personal level. Lionel Scaloni has proven once again that he is more than an extension of the players in the semi-finals, and in these situations one can sometimes feel an unstoppable momentum for a country. In Atlanta, it seems that Argentina is convinced of its fate and Spain is trying to stop the pressure.

Lewis Steele

Spain. They were my pick to win before the tournament, but I must admit that I predicted the final to be Spain v England. Anyway, there’s always next time. France were the team that impressed me the most during the World Cup, but they lost to the mighty Spain, who passed, passed, passed. They have a solid defense and don’t give away too many chances, the midfield is elite and they have plenty of goalscorers. I cannot see beyond them to achieve victory.

Ian Ladyman

Spain. These were my tips before the tournament started and I’m sticking to them. Argentina have staged three exciting comebacks this tournament, but it shows they are not really in control of the games. Theirs has been a World Cup built on emotion, passion and huge shifts in momentum. England weren’t good enough to deal with that but Spain will. The Euro 2024 champions scored early against France in the semi-final and completely dominated the game from then on. We need a strong referee! Fingers crossed.

Lamine Yamal hopes to capture the World Cup trophy at just 19 years old

Chris Wheeler

Spain. After the first goalless draw with Cape Verde, they have consistently played some of their best, if not the most spectacular, football in this World Cup and in hindsight it doesn’t look that bad and I fully expect Luis de la Fuente’s team to rightfully become world champions in New Jersey.

Spain showed Thomas Tuchel and England how to maintain the lead when they faced France in the semi-finals. If they can exert this level of control against France, they can also do it against Argentina.

The reigning world champions sailed close to the wind in the knockout stages against Cape Verde, Egypt and England, relying on the sheer combativeness and brilliance of Lionel Messi. It was a dogged defense of their title but I think Argentina’s luck is about to run out.

Isaan Khan

Spain. They were the most balanced team of the tournament. So far they have conceded just one goal against Belgium in the quarter-finals and have dominated the ball with the pressure in midfield.

Spain showed a different side of their game against France; a willingness to tackle off the ball and strike with devastating efficiency when opportunities arise.

Argentina have an attacking spark that is very dangerous when fired up, as seen in the last 10 minutes against England. The South American country has also gone through a series of qualifying matches in high-pressure scenarios where it faces an exit from the tournament.

The Lionel Messi factor cannot be ignored either. He can play a quiet game but then suddenly kick into gear and make a huge difference with a dash of genius. The striker, who played on the wing in the final minutes against England, was unstoppable.

However, I think Spain will have an advantage as long as they can deal with Argentina’s quick transitions.

Anthony Hay

Argentina. I know this won’t be a popular prediction in England given Argentina’s antics in this week’s semi-final, but I think the world champions always find a way to get the job done.

Their recent victories against Cape Verde (in extra time), Egypt and England show that they will fight until the end.

Despite Rodri’s brilliance and Lamine Yamal’s eagerness to prove his stardom on the big stage, Lionel Messi will still be the best player on the pitch.

Messi’s teammates will go the extra mile to help the superstar lift another trophy in what is likely to be his last World Cup appearance and perhaps even his last game for Argentina.

Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez have shown that they are not bad Messi assistants, while Lautaro Martinez poses a major threat off the bench.

Despite Spain’s impressive defensive abilities, I can see this being the perfect ending for Messi on the World Cup stage.

James Sharpe

Spain. Any side that can completely control and narrow down France to the point where their front four of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise barely have a chance of making notes between them will have no problem outpacing Argentina. Lionel Messi or no Lionel Messi.

Spain will not back down. Spain will not give Enzo Fernandez the freedom to shoot from 20 meters in New York. Spain will not allow Messi to have enough space to put tons of crosses into dangerous areas. Spain won’t take the lead and lose 88 percent of the possession.

Spain will do the same thing they have done all tournament: press, pass and win.

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