{"id":39834,"date":"2026-07-19T20:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T20:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/19\/argentina-vs-spain-world-cup-final-showdown-pits-messi-against-yamal\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T20:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T20:09:26","slug":"argentina-vs-spain-world-cup-final-showdown-pits-messi-against-yamal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/19\/argentina-vs-spain-world-cup-final-showdown-pits-messi-against-yamal\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina vs Spain: World Cup final showdown pits Messi against Yamal"},"content":{"rendered":"


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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) \u2014 Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to star in global soccer\u2019s biggest match as the World Cup ends Sunday at MetLife Stadium with Argentina facing Spain in the final. Argentina is chasing its fourth World Cup title and Spain its second. It\u2019s the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.<\/p>\n

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\"Fireworks<\/p>\n

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Fireworks go off before World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Fireworks go off before World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina's<\/p>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi stretches with teammate Rodrigo De Paul, right, during warmup before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi stretches with teammate Rodrigo De Paul, right, during warmup before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

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A presidential helicopter arrives prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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A presidential helicopter arrives prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"President<\/p>\n

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President Donald J. Trump stands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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President Donald J. Trump stands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spanish<\/p>\n

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Spanish players huddle beofre the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spanish players huddle beofre the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal arrives for the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Pamela Smith)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal arrives for the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Pamela Smith)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spanish<\/p>\n

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Spanish players warm up before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spanish players warm up before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mario<\/p>\n

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Mario Kempes holds the trophy before the start of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Mario Kempes holds the trophy before the start of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Mexico's<\/p>\n

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Mexico\u2019s President Claudia Sheinbaum, from left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Leena Al Ashqar, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Mexico\u2019s President Claudia Sheinbaum, from left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Leena Al Ashqar, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Influencer<\/p>\n

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Influencer IShowSpeed performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Influencer IShowSpeed performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Dancers<\/p>\n

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Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina<\/p>\n

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Argentina warms up prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina warms up prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Singer<\/p>\n

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Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Canada's<\/p>\n

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Canada\u2019s Prime Minister Mark Carney, from left, Mexico\u2019s President Claudia Sheinbaum, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Canada\u2019s Prime Minister Mark Carney, from left, Mexico\u2019s President Claudia Sheinbaum, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal runs with the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal runs with the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina<\/p>\n

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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spain's<\/p>\n

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Spain\u2019s Rodri, left, vies for the ball with Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Rodri, left, vies for the ball with Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina's<\/p>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez (24) and Spain\u2019s Fabian Ruiz (8) go for a header during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez (24) and Spain\u2019s Fabian Ruiz (8) go for a header during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina's<\/p>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Alexis Mac Allister, right, tries to tackle Spain\u2019s Dani Olmo during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Alexis Mac Allister, right, tries to tackle Spain\u2019s Dani Olmo during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina's<\/p>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Alexis Mac Allister (20) battles for the ball with Spain\u2019s Fabian Ruiz (8) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Alexis Mac Allister (20) battles for the ball with Spain\u2019s Fabian Ruiz (8) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina<\/p>\n

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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Argentina's<\/p>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Nicolas Tagliafico vies for the ball with Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal, right, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Nicolas Tagliafico vies for the ball with Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal, right, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Spain\u2019s Alex Baena helps Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi get back on his feet after a foul during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Spain\u2019s Alex Baena helps Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi get back on his feet after a foul during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez speaks to Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Enzo Fernandez speaks to Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ashley Landis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni instructs his players during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni instructs his players during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Seth Wenig)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Nico Gonzalez (15) challenges for the ball with Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro (12) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Argentina\u2019s Nico Gonzalez (15) challenges for the ball with Spain\u2019s Pedro Porro (12) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) \u2014 Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to star in global soccer\u2019s biggest match as the World Cup ends Sunday at MetLife Stadium with Argentina facing Spain in the final. Argentina is chasing its fourth World Cup title and Spain its second. 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