Argentina put their World Cup crown on the line against European Champions Spain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, in a final that pits Lionel Messi against Lamine Yamal for the first time.
The match-up has been 19 years in the making. Yamal, tipped as the next great in the game, faces the player many still call the king of football.
Their paths first crossed in 2007, when Yamal was a baby and Messi was in the early years of his career. A photo of that meeting has followed both players ever since.
Messi is set to become just the second player in World Cup history to appear in three finals, having played in 2014, 2022 and now 2026. The only other player to do it is Brazil's Cafu, who featured in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
Photo: dailymail.com
At 39 years and 25 days, Messi would also become the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final.
Oliver Holt, writing for Daily Mail Sport in New York City, captured the mood around the Argentine.
"In a way, we are all Messi's sons, those of us who love football, even those of us who are 20 years older than him," Holt said.
Photo: dailymail.com
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made three changes for the final. Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo De Paul and Nico Gonzalez come into the side, with Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Leandro Paredes dropping to the bench.
Eight of the team that started the 2022 final start again tonight.
Argentina line up as follows: Martinez in goal, with Tagliafico, Martinez, Romero and Montiel in defence. Gonzalez, Fernandez, Mac Allister and De Paul make up the midfield, with Alvarez and Messi up top.
Photo: dailymail.com
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente kept faith with the same 11 that beat France in the semi-final.
That means Yamal starts on the right, with Pedro Porro behind him after scoring in the win over France. Nico Williams and Pedri both start on the bench.
The build-up has taken over the streets of Madrid, where Spanish fans packed the capital ahead of one of the biggest days in the national team's history. Every stretch of tarmac in the city centre was hidden by supporters.
Photo: dailymail.com
Argentina reached the final while defending the title they won in 2022. Spain arrive as European Champions after their run through the tournament.
Donald Trump, the US President, spoke to Fox Sports ahead of kick-off.
The meeting between the two forwards has drawn much of the attention. Yamal takes on Messi on the pitch for the first time, a contest supporters have long wanted to see.
Photo: dailymail.com
Both players share more than their reputations. The 2007 photo of a young Messi with the infant Yamal has resurfaced across social media in the hours before the game.
Chris Sutton, the former England striker, offered his view on BBC Sport ahead of the final.
The winner will be crowned world champions at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Source: Daily Mail
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