​World Cup 2026 final predictions: Why Spain will beat Argentina for FIFA title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There remains just one competitive match left in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the expanded 48-team tournament whittled down to just two, Spain and Argentina are all that remain, with just 90 minutes (or more) now separating the two sides from eternal glory.The matchup is a mouth-watering affair which pits Lionel Messi against his prodigal Barcelona son Lamine Yamal in a winner-take-all tilt of epic proportions.The Sporting News takes a look at who will come out on top in the matchup, as well as what has to happen for either team to lift the famous trophy.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Odds, spread for Spain vs. Argentina World Cup finalPrintable World Cup bracketWorld Cup prize money breakdownSpain took advantage of France’s biggest weakness, which was a lack of midfield superiority.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat same weakness applies to Argentina, who have been frail in midfield all tournament long. For the final 30 minutes against an exhausted England, they were able to assert their dominance in the middle of the pitch, but prior to that, it had been incredibly herky-jerky all tournament long.Spain’s biggest strength is Argentina’s biggest weakness, and just as that drowned France, it will do so to Argentina as well.Score prediction: Spain 2-0 Argentina2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsAt various points against far inferior opponents, the Argentina midfield has been carved to shreds. Cape Verde was able to do it effectively, as was Egypt. While both those teams were playing on the counter, it still serves to show that Argentina’s weakness is in the middle of the pitch.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTo make matters worse for the defending champions, they lack any kind of attacking width whatsoever. Lionel Scaloni attempted to get width against England from Giuliano Simeone, but all he did was pick up five fouls, get caught offside once, miss with two crosses, and deliver one pass into the final third.Spain will be happy to pack the midfield once again, as they did against France, and allow their full-backs to bomb forwards.England also offered a strong game plan to deny Lionel Messi touches deep in their defensive half, one which Spain could emulate easily. Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon were able to get way high up the pitch, forcing Messi to drop back and receive the ball. Additionally, Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi were strong in possession on Messi’s side, keeping him from getting dangerous touches.With the marauding Marc Cucurella and a defensive-minded Alex Baena on that wing (or potentially speedster Nico Williams instead), Spain should have no problem copying this approach.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Lionel Messi, Argentina add to W