Argentina, Spain Set for World Cup Final Showdown at MetLife Stadium
Holders Argentina meet European champions Spain on Sunday in a match anticipated by more than a billion viewers worldwide
Argentina and Spain will meet Sunday at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup final, pitting the tournament's defending champions and South American champions against the European champions in one of the most anticipated matches in the competition's history.
The final caps a tournament that has drawn global attention, with fans following the two sides from South Asia to Brooklyn. In Kolkata, India, fans have rallied behind Lionel Messi, according to Al Jazeera, while in the borough's "Little Palestine" neighborhood, supporters have been cheering for Spain, the outlet reported.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte said Argentina is a team that "likes to leave a mark on their opponents," according to BBC Sport, previewing the physical test his side expects to face. Messi, meanwhile, reflected on the pressure of the moment, saying growing up playing football taught him to enjoy the game, Al Jazeera reported. He also called a viral 2007 photograph of himself as a young star posing with a baby Lamine Yamal "incredible," ahead of facing Spain's teenage sensation, according to ESPN.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the tournament ahead of Sunday's final, with Trump declaring "America has won" in comments reported by Fox News. The final is expected to be watched by more than 1 billion people around the world, according to PBS NewsHour, which reported that the tournament has offered rare moments of joy for Palestinians in Gaza following the matches from afar.
Kickoff details and broader tournament numbers were previewed by BBC Sport, which noted the two finalists rank among the tournament's best finishers and stingiest defenses heading into Sunday's match.
— Compiled from reporting by BBC Sport, Al Jazeera, ESPN, Fox News and PBS NewsHour.