Argentina Make Three Changes for World Cup Final Against Spain
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made three changes to his starting XI for Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Spain, as the defending champions look to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain the World Cup title.
One notable change sees Gonzalo Montiel, the hero of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final penalty shootout victory over France, return at right-back in place of Nahuel Molina.
In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul returns to the starting lineup alongside Nico Gonzalez, while Leandro Paredes and Giuliano Simeone drop to the bench.
Argentina secured their place in the final after edging England 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final, with a dramatic late comeback sealing their victory.
Captain Lionel Messi, now 39, is making his third World Cup final appearance. The Argentine legend enters the match with eight goals in the tournament and 21 World Cup goals overall, sitting just one behind Kylian Mbappe’s all-time tournament record of 22.
Meanwhile, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has opted to stick with the same lineup that comfortably defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who recently celebrated his 19th birthday, starts on the right wing and could become the third-youngest player in history to win the FIFA World Cup.
Spain are chasing their second World Cup title after their historic triumph in 2010, while Argentina are aiming for a fourth crown, which would move them level with Germany and Italy, leaving only Brazil ahead with five World Cup titles.
Starting Line-ups
Spain: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (Captain), Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
Coach: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Gonzalez; Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi (Captain), Julian Alvarez.
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
