Argentina and Spain at the World Cup
What happened in the only previous meeting between the two finalists?
Collected Photo
In the 96-year history of the World Cup, the two teams have met only once. Argentina and Spain, who are set to face each other in the final of this edition, previously played each other on football’s biggest stage at the 1966 World Cup. So, what was that encounter like?
After a long campaign, Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain are set to take the field in the final in Miami. The Latin American and European powerhouses have met only once before at the World Cup.
Argentina and Spain faced each other in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup on July 13 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. Argentina defeated Spain 2-1 in that match. Luis Artime put Argentina ahead in the 66th minute. Pirri brought Spain back into the match in the 72nd minute. The winning goal came from Artime again in the 79th minute.
Overall, Argentina and Spain have faced each other in 14 international matches. Both teams have won six matches each.
The first meeting between Argentina and Spain came on Dec. 7, 1952. Argentina won that match 1-0. Spain recorded its first victory over Argentina on June 11, 1961, defeating the Albiceleste 2-0 in a friendly.
Argentina and Spain last met on March 27, 2018. Spain thrashed Argentina 6-1 in that match. Messi did not play because of a muscle injury but watched Argentina’s heavy defeat from the stands. Thanks to Isco’s hat trick, Spain secured its biggest-ever victory over Argentina.
Messi has played against Spain twice. His first meeting with Spain in 2009 was not a pleasant one. Although Messi scored, Spain eventually won 2-1. The following year, however, Messi’s team avenged that defeat. Messi scored the opening goal in Argentina’s 4-1 victory over Spain, which remains Argentina’s biggest win against the Spanish side.
Eight years later, Argentina and Spain are set to meet again. Messi will face Spain for the first time in 16 years. Only five players involved in the 2018 match are part of this year’s final. Rodri was on the bench for Spain in that game. For Argentina, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico and Lautaro Martínez played, while Leandro Paredes was on the bench.
