The biggest prize in international football is on the line when Spain and Argentina meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Spain are aiming to become world champions for only the second time after their triumph in 2010, while Lionel Scaloni's Argentina are chasing history by becoming just the third nation to retain the World Cup after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).
The final also pits together two generations of footballing greatness – Lionel Messi, playing in what is expected to be his final World Cup, has inspired Argentina with eight goals and four assists during the tournament, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is looking to seal his status as one of the world's brightest stars.
Goals are usually part of the story when the World Cup trophy is at stake – since the tournament began in 1930, only one final has finished goalless after extra time – Brazil versus Italy in 1994 (before Brazil won on penalties) – with the remaining finals all producing at least one goal before the end of 120 minutes.
Several have become classics, including France's 4-2 win over Croatia in 2018 and Argentina's unforgettable 3-3 draw with France before prevailing on penalties in 2022.
History therefore suggests there is every chance Sunday's final will feature a breakthrough scorer rather than another stalemate.
Possible first goalscorers
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 5/1 on bet365
Even at 39, Messi remains the obvious starting point in the first goalscorer market. The Argentina captain leads the Golden Boot race with eight tournament goals and has contributed four assists, with virtually every dangerous Argentine attack flowing through him.
Messi also takes penalties and many direct free kicks, increasing his routes to the opening goal. Argentina have repeatedly relied on him to unlock tight knockout matches, and if Scaloni's side strike first, there is every chance the captain will be involved.
The concern for backers is Spain's outstanding defensive record, having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament. That means Messi is likely to receive fewer clear opportunities than he enjoyed in the previous games.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 5/1 on bet365
Mikel Oyarzabal could be an excellent alternative for bettors looking beyond Spain's headline names.
The Real Sociedad forward has developed a reputation for delivering on the biggest occasions, most notably scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final against England, and he has continued to prove himself as a composed finisher throughout Spain's run to the World Cup final.
Operating as Spain's central striker, Oyarzabal is often on the end of the chances created by Yamal and Dani Olmo, whose creativity consistently generates dangerous deliveries into the penalty area.
His intelligent movement between defenders and ability to find space inside the six-yard box make him a genuine threat if Spain establish early control of possession.
At around 5/1, Oyarzabal offers attractive value, and his role as Spain's focal point means he could easily be the player to apply the finishing touch if La Roja make the breakthrough.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 15/2 on bet365
Spain's teenage superstar is a game–defining player. His ability to isolate defenders in one-on-one situations, drift inside onto his stronger foot and create shooting opportunities makes him a constant threat from the opening whistle.
Spain have often started knockout matches aggressively under Luis de la Fuente, controlling possession high up the pitch and forcing opponents backwards. Should they dominate territory again, Yamal is likely to enjoy plenty of touches around Argentina's penalty area.
The market understandably keeps him among the favourites because he rarely needs many chances to make the difference.
Julian Alvarez (Argentina) – 8/1 on bet365
Alvarez's relentless pressing and intelligent movement make him an appealing outsider, particularly if Scaloni opts to pair him with Messi from the start.
Unlike Lautaro Martinez, who generally operates between the opposition centre-backs, Alvarez regularly drifts into wider channels before making late runs into the box, which can be difficult for possession-based teams such as Spain to track during transitions.
Argentina may spend spells defending, but Alvarez's pace could become a major weapon if Spain leave space behind their high defensive line.
At around 8/1, he offers considerably bigger odds than Messi while still carrying genuine first goalscorer potential.
Cole is a passionate sports writer with a love for storytelling. He covers global sporting events with a focus on insight, accuracy, and engaging analysis. Known for his clear writing style and balanced opinions, Cole brings every headline to life for readers.
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