The Finalissima There is already a confirmed date and venue for a high-profile confrontation between the Argentine team and Spain. On Friday, the last winners of the Copa América and the Euro Cup, who are ranked 2nd and 1st in the FIFA rankings respectively, will meet March 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (Argentina time) at the legendary Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
After months of uncertainty The official sanction of the game was given by Conmebol and UEFA, confederations that recognize the title as official. However, for FIFA, the game retains the category of friendly game, which does not diminish its importance for the protagonists. Even less so in preparation for the World Cup, where they are proving to be major contenders for the title.
Argentina reaches this finalissima after being consecrated in 2024 as two-time American champions. They won their 16th continental title by beating Colombia 1-0 in the final, with a decisive goal from Lautaro Martínez. The season went flawlessly: they remained unbeaten with five wins in regular time and one draw, which was successfully decided on penalties. The Albiceleste team scored nine goals and conceded only one, securing their ticket to this intercontinental challenge.
Spain, in turn, won the European Cup in 2024, achieving the fourth consecration in its history on the Old Continent. They won the title in Germany by beating England, who finished runners-up for the second year in a row, 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the goals in Spain’s victory, while Cole Palmer scored the Three Lions’ equaliser.
The history between Argentinians and Spaniards records 14 meetings with a remarkable record: six wins for each team and two draws. Most of these crossings, 13 in total, were friendly in nature. The only official precedent comes from the 1966 World Cup in England, where the Albiceleste won 2-1 thanks to a brace from Luis Artime. The last time they saw each other was in 2018, in a pre-Russia 2018 friendly that ended in a resounding 6-1 win for the Red Fury.
The Finalissima is the successor to the Artemio Franchi Cup, a tournament that has only been held twice before: in 1985 and 1993. The first event under the new name took place on June 1, 2022 in the run-up to the World Cup in Qatar. On this occasion The team led by Lionel Scaloni faced Italy at the legendary Wembley in London, England, and achieved one categorical victory with 3 to 0. This background underlines the importance of the Finalissima as an elite thermometer before the highest ecumenical event.
About The Author
