Spain's Lamine Yamal (L), Argentina's Lionel Messi Photo: Reuters
FIFA World Cup 2026

History offers no favourite as Argentina and Spain battle for World Cup supremacy

Sports Desk

Argentina and Spain will meet in the FIFA World Cup final at the early hours of Monday (Bangladesh time) with their head-to-head record perfectly balanced after 14 previous meetings.

The reigning South American champions face the European title holders at New York New Jersey Stadium in only their second World Cup meeting.

The rivals have won six matches each, while two encounters ended in draws.

Their only previous World Cup clash came in the 1966 group stage in England, where Argentina claimed a 2-1 victory.

Luis Artime scored twice for Argentina, either side of Pirri's equaliser, to secure the South Americans' win.

The result proved decisive. Argentina advanced as group runners-up before losing to hosts England, while Spain exited in the group stage.

Since then, the teams have met only in friendlies.

Their most recent meeting came before the 2018 World Cup, when Spain thrashed Argentina 6-1 in Madrid.

Argentina's last win over Spain came in September 2010 with a 4-1 friendly victory.

Sunday's final will be the first World Cup title match between the two nations and will break their deadlocked overall record.

Head-to-head record

  • Spain 6-1 Argentina — March 27, 2018 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 4-1 Spain —September 7, 2010 (Friendly)

  • Spain 2-1 Argentina — November 14, 2009 (Friendly)

  • Spain 2-1 Argentina — October 11, 2006 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 2-0 Spain —November 17, 1999 (Friendly)

  • Spain 2-1 Argentina — September 20, 1995 (Friendly)

  • Spain 1-1 Argentina — October 12, 1988 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 1-1 Spain — October 12, 1974 (Friendly)

  • Spain 1-0 Argentina — October 11, 1972 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 2-1 Spain —July 13, 1966 (World Cup)

  • Spain 2-0 Argentina —June 11, 1961 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 2-0 Spain —July 24, 1960 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 1-0 Spain — July 5, 1953 (Friendly)

  • Argentina 1-0 Spain —December 7, 1952 (Friendly)

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