Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez will start for Argentina in the World Cup final.
Messi and Álvarez are both going to be in the starting eleven. According to Gastón Edul, Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will start Messi and Álvarez in the final of the World Cup.
How is this news worthy
That’s like saying the WC final is played after the semi final
Yeah, this post is pointless, just wait for the full starting lineup announced and publish it all at once.
If we start with these 2 players, we are losing from the get go:
1) Almada
2) Molina
Spain have the simpler tactical assignment. Argentina don’t.
To stop Argentina, Spain’s primary objective is obvious: isolate Messi. Deny him the ball, close passing lanes to him, and cut off the passes he wants to play. Easier said than done against the greatest player of all time, but at least the plan is straightforward.
Argentina’s challenge is far more complex.
We have to deal with Rodri’s control, Cucurella’s relentless overlapping runs, Lamine Yamal’s one-on-one brilliance, Dani Olmo’s movement between the lines, Fabián Ruiz’s late runs, Laporte’s composure in buildup—and the list doesn’t end there. Spain attack through multiple channels, not just one.
My tactical approach would be this:
Giuliano Simeone and Montiel must make Spain’s left flank a non-factor. Their job isn’t merely to defend; it’s to pin Cucurella back and deny him the freedom that has made him one of Spain’s biggest weapons throughout the tournament.
If that works, Spain will naturally be forced inside or towards their right. That’s where Leandro Paredes has to repeat what he did against Bellingham—stay tight to Rodri, disrupt his rhythm, and stop Spain from dictating the tempo.
On the opposite flank, Tagliafico cannot be left alone against Lamine Yamal. He’ll need constant support from Enzo or Nico. Yamal’s trademark lateral dribbles and curling left-footed shots must be crowded out before he reaches shooting positions. Cape Verde exposed that Emiliano Martínez can be vulnerable to late-swirving efforts, and Spain will certainly have noticed.
Up front, Julián Álvarez should relentlessly target Pedro Porro. Porro has been outstanding for Spain, but he is still more adventurous than defensive. Julián’s pressing, movement, and willingness to run the channels can make that flank uncomfortable all evening.
This final won’t be won by individual brilliance alone. It will be won by who wins the tactical chess match.
Spain may have more ways to hurt Argentina. But if Scaloni gets the match-ups right, Argentina have enough intelligence and courage to repeat a 64 years old history.
So my starting Xi wold be:
Dibu
Montiel, Cuti, Licha, Tagliafico
Simeone, Paredes, Enzo, Nico
Messi, Alvarez
I don’t think simeone is starting
MacAllister and Enzo have a huge task ahead today! If we are to defeat Spain both of our ace midfielders need to have a great day in the office! Also Scaloni may go with 4 in the midfield since Depaul looked pretty good against the deep defending English team. Attack wise we are better than Spain! Defense I would say both are on same level but Spain’s midfield has been able to protect their defense, our’s hasn’t! Dibu needs to step up today. He has been playing as a statue but that won’t work today against a very competent and competitive Spanish team. But today’s match is going to be the battle of the midfield !!
Bro enzo & Macalister are both main engine of our team..Last time they dominated france..Hope this time spain too..Now McAllister plays in advanced position where he connect messi , and also he can score too.plain works ..Last year wc final assist to demaria is example of that.. today he have to plays like that..
Anyone can dominate france in midfield they practically has none they just play 2 dm and all other threats are from their forwards.it will be difficult to counter spain without playing rough and without having numerical advantage in the midfield
I agree with you 100% Macca and Enzo are a must for us. On their best day they can match any midfielders in the world. I hope today we see their best version and the best version of the whole team.
I believe Uruguay and Cape Verde did a decent job against Spain. Spain won against France and everyone just hands over the World Cup to them. I don’t know how but Scaloni and the coaching staff will find the weak points to hurt Spain. Most of us didn’t expect the master stroke from Scaloni during last World Cup against France with the position of Di Maria. I’m not staying it’s going to be easy for either team but Argentina will find a way to shock the world again.
Three battles to watch out today:
1. Messi vs Cucurella
2. Enzo vs Rodri
3. Yamal vs Tagliafico
I’m curious to see who pairs with Tagliafico to contain Yamal. But shutting off Rodri is probably the most important thing.
Make Rodri and Olmo unsettle. Thats our main job. Cucurella even if marks messi who can play even as SS or AM, dont think would do much against Leo.
Emi Martinez is not in form and injured – this is my main concern for Argentina. Spain is definitely the best European side.
Dibu is playing with fear of fracture and the back four has to play 1 last game at their best..
If he’s unfit, then why Scaloni doesn’t give the gloves to Musso?
Vamos vamos win the world cup
Well we did excellent in the last game vs England. But molina need to improve. Maybe Montial should start. Although their LW Baena doesnt seem dangerous, still montial is better choice for this game. And simeone should be replaced with nicolas gonzalez as he can help tagliofico to cover Yamal. Vamos
Nico Williams may start or substituted, Now issue is with RW & between the lines passes & possession
Dont think he would start. Cucurella is a threat with overlapping run. There is a rumour that Yamal is injured. Hope it comes out to be true. All we need to do is just make their Mid unstable specially Rodri.
Thanks for everything Messi. U already achieved more than a human being can. U gave us more than what we deserved. Since 2014 i have been following u. Arg vs Iran in 2014 was the first match when i saw ur magic in live. I was only 11 years old that time. U r the reason i started watching football. BEST OF LUCK LEO. Gracias and Vamos argentina.
I wish there was an upvote bottom on this website so I can upvote this comment.