The street ends right here. After 103 matches that includes 48 international locations throughout three nations, solely Spain and Argentina stay. One extra match. One extra afternoon. One extra place in soccer historical past.
Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey brings collectively two champions who reached the identical vacation spot by very totally different paths. Spain has squeezed the life out of opponents with relentless strain, collective brilliance and a protection that has allowed only one objective. Argentina has survived one knockout drama after another, leaning on Lionel Messi, late heroics and an unshakeable perception that the final whistle belongs to them.
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There is Messi, searching for to cap the best profession the game has ever seen with a second straight World Cup. There is 19-year old Lamine Yamal, the heir apparent chasing his first. There are two coaches main groups constructed on collective power fairly than particular person fame. And there are billions who will spend Sunday having fun with the attractive recreation on its largest stage.
Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET
Date: Sunday, July 19
Venue: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox, Telemundo (Spanish)
Streaming: Fox One, Peacock (Spanish)
Follow alongside beneath for all of the latest news, lineups, highlights, analysis and live updates from Spain vs. Argentina:
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Ben Fawkes
We’re greater than two-thirds by means of regulation time and Spain has greater than 60% possession and has generated 0.54 anticipated targets.
Argentina nonetheless doesn’t have a shot on objective and has produced a whopping 0.0 xG to date.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Nick Bromberg
Giuliano Simeone and Facundo Medina come on for Argentina for Cristian Romero and Rodrigo De Paul.
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Nick Bromberg
Spain’s greatest likelihood of the sport comes as Lamine Yamal dribbles to the byline and crosses the ball again into the field, however Ferran Torres’ header goes proper at Emi Martinez.
Now it’s time to hydrate for the final time on this World Cup as Argentina prepares to carry on its final two substitutes.
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Nick Bromberg
It’s getting chippy — and which will play to Argentina’s benefit.
Spain, nonetheless, retains making use of strain.
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Nick Bromberg
Ferran Torres and Pedri are on for Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz.
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Nick Bromberg
Spain wins a free kick, however Lamine Yamal’s kick is blocked. The most entertaining facet of it got here earlier than, when the referee’s spray can went off as he was reaching for it.
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Nick Bromberg
Nahuel Molina comes on for Gonzalo Montiel.
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Nick Bromberg
Spain can flip it up so rapidly. It’s discovered area in Argentina’s midfield and earns a nook kick within the 57th minute. But that ends with nothing as Pedro Porro’s cross sails out of bounds.
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Nick Bromberg
Leandro Paredes will get a yellow card for pushing Dani Olmo to the bottom. There was a kerfuffle and some shoving after Rodri went down (with a little bit of embellishment) after a bump from Paredes.
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Nick Bromberg
Argentina will get his first nook kick of the sport within the forty eighth minute, however the ball deflects out off Alexis Mac Allister for a objective kick.
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Nick Bromberg
Paredes turns the ball over on is first contact, however Alex Baena’s shot isn’t an amazing one and Emi Martinez makes the save.
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Nick Bromberg
Leandro Paredes comes on for Nico Gonzalez for Argentina.
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Ben Fawkes
Not a lot has modified from an odds perspective with a 0-0 halftime rating, as Spain is a -165 favourite to raise the trophy and Argentina is +135.
Spain nonetheless has not trailed at this World Cup.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Nick Bromberg
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Nick Bromberg
The halftime present ended with Shakira and then an enormous banner with “love” emblazoned upon it was draped throughout the sector.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Nick Bromberg
Justin Bieber was launched for his half within the halftime present by Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard.
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Nick Bromberg
To put into perspective how few attacking possibilities Argentina had within the first half, its xG — anticipated targets from possibilities created — was 0.00.
