Argentina and Spain met in Lusail for the Finalissima: Time and details of the clash between champions

The Finalissima between Argentina and Spain was one of the most anticipated matches in international football, pitting the last champions of South America and Europe against each other. The game took place on March 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM (Argentina time) at Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar. Although CONMEBOL and UEFA approved it as official, FIFA did not recognize it as such; however, it represented a significant milestone in both teams’ preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Champions of Two Continents Face Off

Argentina arrived at this match as two-time South American champions after defeating Colombia 1-0 in the 2024 final, with a goal from Lautaro Martínez. Managed by Lionel Scaloni, the team completed an impeccable tournament, finishing undefeated with five wins and one draw before winning on penalties.

Meanwhile, Spain entered as the Euro 2024 champions, their fourth continental title in history. The Iberian team was crowned at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium after defeating England 2-1 in an exciting final. Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain, while Cole Palmer temporarily equalized for the Three Lions, who were runners-up for the second consecutive edition.

Key Absences

Argentina had to face the match without Juan Foyth, who was confirmed out. The Villarreal defender suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg, a injury that not only kept him out of the Finalissima but also ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup. There was also uncertainty regarding Giovani Lo Celso, a midfielder from Real Betis, who was dealing with a moderate muscle-tendon injury in the rectus femoris of his right thigh, with an estimated return in April.

Spain also faced a significant absence: Mikel Merino. The Arsenal midfielder, a key part of coach Luis De la Fuente’s system, suffered a bone injury requiring surgery and a prolonged recovery period. This situation deprived the Spanish midfield of one of its key players.

Messi vs. Yamal as the Main Highlight

Beyond the absences, the match promised a wealth of star power and a special element: Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal faced each other for the first time on the pitch. Both players made their professional debut at Barcelona, but their careers had never brought them face-to-face until now. The Argentine, who dominated world football for the past two decades, was up against the one expected to be his successor and already shining as one of the great stars of contemporary football.

The fact that they never played together at Barcelona has a temporal explanation: when Yamal debuted for the Blaugrana in April 2023, Messi was playing for PSG and soon after moved to Inter Miami. Therefore, they never faced each other in official competition or in matches between their national teams.

A Squad Full of Elite Figures

The matchup was not only of interest because of Messi and Yamal. Both champions boasted rosters of the highest level.

For Argentina, standout players included goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero, midfielders Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, and forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

For Spain, key players included defenders Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella, midfielders Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Rodri, and attackers Nico Williams and Ferran Torres.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 World Cup

This matchup opened the door to potential future encounters between the two nations. In the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, if Argentina finished top of their group and Spain as runners-up (or vice versa), they would meet in the Round of 16. Conversely, if both teams finished first in their respective groups, they could only meet in a hypothetical final.

A Close History Between the Two Nations

Argentina and Spain had faced each other 14 times in their history, with six wins for each side and two draws. Notably, 13 of these matches were friendlies, with only one being an official tournament game. That was the first encounter, at the 1966 England World Cup, where Argentina won 2-1 with goals from Luis Artime.

The most recent match was in 2018, when Spain defeated Argentina 6-1. In that game, Argentine starters included Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Giovani Lo Celso, while Lautaro Martínez and Marcos Acuña came off the bench. The squad also featured Leandro Paredes and Ángel Correa. On the Spanish side, players included Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, and Rodri. Many of these players had real chances of being called up for the Finalissima and the 2026 World Cup.