Spain, Argentina Set for Historic World Cup Final Showdown
Messi's possible farewell and Yamal's rising legend headline Sunday's title match in New Jersey
Spain and Argentina meet Sunday for the World Cup final, the first time the reigning European and South American champions have squared off for the trophy, according to Al Jazeera.
The match carries outsized stakes for two of the game's biggest storylines. Argentina captain Lionel Messi will play his 34th World Cup match, and BBC Sport reported it could be his last appearance in the tournament. On the other side, 19-year-old Spanish forward Lamine Yamal enters the final looking to cement his own legacy; BBC Sport noted a Spain victory would write a very different narrative for a player whose tournament has not always sparkled.
Former U.S. international Tobin Heath told Al Jazeera she sees the final as a passing-of-the-torch moment, weighing in on the tournament's top players and teams ahead of kickoff. Al Jazeera also identified stylistic matchups and a midfield battle as likely deciding factors.
Spain fans gathered in New York ahead of the match, with one supporter telling Al Jazeera, "King [Messi] abdicates, but the prince [Lamine Yamal] takes the throne!" In Gaza, football fans said they were backing Spain, citing the country's solidarity with Palestinians, Al Jazeera reported.
President Trump is expected to attend the final. Spain goalkeeper Borja Iglesias told Fox News he was reluctant to shake the president's hand if Spain wins, joking he didn't want to "go to prison" over the moment.
Spain's final training session before the match was scrapped because of thunderstorms in New Jersey, BBC Sport reported. Longtime World Cup official Darren Cann told BBC Sport that conspiracy theories about referee favoritism are unfounded. Musicians are scheduled to perform before kickoff and during a halftime show, according to Al Jazeera.
— Compiled from reporting by Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and Fox News.