Argentina failed to win their opening match at each of the last two World Cups — drawing 1-1 with Iceland in 2018 and losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2022 — yet reached the final in both tournaments and won the title in 2022.
Spain1–0Argentina
Stats
Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup on 13 career World Cup goals, three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. Kylian Mbappé starts on 12 goals and needs four to equal the record.
Lionel Messi has scored in six of Argentina's last seven World Cup matches.
Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (4W-2D) and having scored in each of those games.
Argentina have won their last 7 international matches, going 7W-0D-0L with 21 goals scored and 1 conceded.
Match Events
90+3'Enzo Fernández
106'Ferran Torres
1–0
Lineups
Spain
Argentina
- 23Unai Simón
- 12Pedro Porro
- 14Aymeric Laporte↓99'
- 22Pau Cubarsí
- 24Marc Cucurella
- 8Fabián Ruiz↓62'
- 15Álex Baena↓75'
- 16Rodri↓99'
- 10Dani Olmo↓75'
- 19Lamine Yamal
- 21Mikel Oyarzabal↓62'
- 23Emiliano Martínez
- 3Nicolás Tagliafico
- 4Gonzalo Montiel↓58'
- 6Lisandro Martínez↓44'
- 13Cristian Romero↓70'
- 7Rodrigo De Paul↓70'
- 15Nicolás González↓46'
- 20Alexis Mac Allister
- 24Enzo Fernández
- 9Julián Alvarez↓102'
- 10Lionel Messi
Substitutes
- 4Eric García↑99'
- 6Mikel Merino↑75'
- 18Martín Zubimendi↑99'
- 20Pedri↑62'
- 7Ferran Torres↑62'
- 17Nico Williams↑75'
- 19Nicolás Otamendi↑44'
- 25Facundo Medina↑70'
- 26Nahuel Molina↑58'
- Marcos Senesi↑102'
- 5Leandro Paredes↑46'
- 17Giuliano Simeone↑70'