Argentina vs Spain: World Cup final history
Messi can surpass Maradona's World Cup legacy with Argentina (Photo: Getty Images)
Argentina are chasing a fourth World Cup title, while Spain are aiming to lift the trophy for only the second time.
Sport RBC.UA looks back at the history behind the 2026 World Cup final.
Argentina and Spain will meet in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Between them, the two nations have appeared in seven previous World Cup finals. Here's a look back at each of those title matches.
1930 World Cup: The first final
The inaugural FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay, with the hosts facing neighboring Argentina in the final.
The two sides produced an entertaining, high-scoring contest, with Uruguay coming out on top.
Uruguay 4-2 Argentina
Goals: Dorado 12, Cea 57, Iriarte 68, Castro 89 — Peucelle 20, Stábile 37.
1978 World Cup: Argentina reach the summit
Argentina had to wait nearly half a century for their next World Cup final. Facing the Netherlands, the match remained level after 90 minutes.
But in extra time, Argentina finally broke through to claim a historic victory and lift the World Cup for the first time.
Argentina 3-1 Netherlands
Goals: Kempes 38, 105, Bertoni 115 — Nanninga 82.
1986 World Cup: Maradona leads Argentina to glory
Argentina and West Germany produced a thrilling World Cup final. The Germans erased a 2-0 deficit, but Diego Maradona and his teammates ultimately came out on top.
Although Maradona did not score in the final, he was named the tournament's Best Player. He also provided the decisive assist for Jorge Burruchaga's winning goal.
Argentina 3-2 West Germany
Goals: Brown 23, Valdano 56, Burruchaga 84 — Rummenigge 74, Völler 81.
1990 World Cup: West Germany get revenge
The two teams met again in the very next World Cup final, but this time it was West Germany who came out on top. Argentina were far less convincing than four years earlier and finished the match with nine men.
The only goal came from a controversial penalty, calmly converted by Andreas Brehme.
West Germany 1-0 Argentina
Goal: Brehme 85 (pen.)
West Germany 1-0 Argentina
Goal: Brehme 85 (pen.)
2010 World Cup: Spain's historic breakthrough
Spain reached their first-ever World Cup final in South Africa — and made it count. La Roja defeated the Netherlands to lift the trophy for the first time in the nation's history.
Andrés Iniesta scored the winner in the 116th minute, a goal that secured Spain's place among football's world champions. Sixteen years later, they are finally back in the World Cup final.
Spain 1-0 Netherlands (a.e.t.)
Goal: Iniesta 116.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain (a.e.t.)
Goal: Iniesta 116.
2014 World Cup: Extra-time heartbreak for Argentina
Germany and Argentina met in the World Cup final for the third time at the tournament in Brazil.
It was a tense, hard-fought contest. Argentina held on until extra time, but Mario Götze struck in the 113th minute to hand Germany the title.
Messi, meanwhile, was not at his best after struggling with fitness issues throughout the tournament.
Germany 1-0 Argentina (a.e.t.)
Goal: Götze 113.
Germany 1-0 Argentina (a.e.t.)
Goal: Götze 113.
2022 World Cup: A final for the ages
Argentina and France produced one of the greatest World Cup finals in history. Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain and talisman, scored twice, with Ángel Di María adding another, while Kylian Mbappé answered with a stunning hat trick.
The title was ultimately decided in a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez emerged as Argentina's hero, helping La Albiceleste lift their third World Cup trophy.
Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina won 4-2 on penalties)
Goals: Messi 23 (pen.), 108, Di María 36 — Mbappé 80 (pen.), 81, 118 (pen.).
