World Cup Predictions & Tips | Final: Spain v Argentina

Match 104: Spain v Argentina
Location: New York New Jersey Stadium
Time: 7:00am, Monday 20 July
Head to Head: Spain Wins (4), Argentina Wins (3), Draws (0)

Key Stats

• Spain are unbeaten in their last 38 matches
• Spain have conceded 1 goal in their 7 games played in this tournament
• Argentina have conceded at least once in each of their last 4 games
• Over 2.5 goals is 7-2 in Argentina’s last 9 knockout matches in this competition

Preview

We’re down to two but there can only be one champion as the best of Europe meets the best of South America. There is a multitude of ways to win a game of football and this was evident in their respective semi finals. Spain dominated from the opening whistle. They controlled possession, prevented any French counter-attacks, scored a goal in each half, and maintained a clean sheet. In contrast, Argentina found themselves a goal down just before the hour mark but to their credit, did not panic. They turned a mountain of possession and territorial advantage into goal scoring opportunities which they converted.

Despite being two of the dominant forces in world football for decades, the only competitive meeting between them came 60 years ago in the group stages of this competition. Their six other meetings have all been friendlies with the most recent coming more than 8 years ago. Consequently, our focus will be on their form leading into this contest and how the match will be played out based on styles. Spain are unbeaten in their last 38 matches and have conceded one goal in the entire tournament (7 games played). They just held a French team loaded with attacking players to nil and did it without breaking a sweat! Dembele was the only player in the staring XI to have a shot on target with the duo of Mbappe and Olise nullified by Spain’s tactical prowess. Their semi final against France was a pattern we have seen many times before with Under 2.5 goals now holding in 8 of Spain’s last 10 knockout games in this competition.

The big concern for Argentina will be their defence as they have now conceded at least once in each of their last 5 games. They have been able to overcome this by scoring 2+ goals in each of their last 13 games (including extra time). The biggest issue is that Spain have conceded multiple goals in only 1 of their last 17 games and that came in their final game of qualifying which was a dead rubber against Turkey as they had already won the group. Over 2.5 goals is 7-2 in Argentina’s last 9 knockout matches in this competition but they are extremely unlikely to get a game with a high number of goals in it.

Spain will set the tempo of the contest and control the middle of the park with Rodri and Ruiz as they have consistently done throughout the tournament. That will not bother Argentina for as long they are on level terms but fatigue has become a factor and we have not seen them keep a clean sheet since their second group game against Austria. Expecting a repeat of Spain’s semi against France with the European champions to win 1-0 or 2-0.

Player To Watch

Dismissing the chances of the defending champions would be criminal, especially when they have Lionel Messi in the side. Regardless of the outcome, with 8 goals and 4 assists to his name he will be winning a third Golden Ball. He supplied the pass for both goals against England but there is no better team on the planet than Spain when it comes to nullifying an opposing star. Despite all that he has done in the game, a victory here would be Messi’s greatest achievement.

Betting Tips

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals ($1.57)
Value: HT/FT – Draw/Spain ($5.00)
Correct Score: Spain 1-0 ($7.00)
SGM: Both Teams To Score – NO, 1st Half Under 1.5 goals, Argentina Most Corners