Finalissima Argentina-Spain: what time was the match played and details of the historic encounter

The Finalissima between Argentina and Spain took place on March 27, 2025, starting at 3:00 PM Argentina time at Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar. This matchup featured the most recent champions of South America and Europe, generating unprecedented excitement in world football. Although CONMEBOL and UEFA recognized it as an official tournament, FIFA did not grant it that status, despite it being a key preparation match for both teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The continental champions arrive in Lusail with spotless records

Argentina arrived at the Finalissima as two-time South American champions after their performance in Copa América 2024. Under the technical guidance of Lionel Scaloni, the Albiceleste defeated Colombia in the final with a goal from Lautaro Martínez, completing an undefeated campaign that included five wins and one draw decided in a penalty shootout.

Spain, on the other hand, was the recent winner of Euro 2024, their fourth European title. The Iberian team lifted the trophy at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium after defeating England 2-1 in an intense final, with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, responding to a temporary lead by Cole Palmer for the Three Lions.

The absences that marked the prelude to the match

Argentina faced the confirmed absence of Juan Foyth, Villarreal defender who suffered a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that not only kept him out of the Finalissima but also ruled him out of the upcoming World Cup. There was also uncertainty regarding Giovani Lo Celso, a Real Betis midfielder with a muscle-tendon injury expected to recover by April.

The Spanish team also faced significant absences with Mikel Merino sidelined due to injury. The Arsenal midfielder, a key piece in Luis De la Fuente’s scheme, suffered a bone injury requiring surgery and a prolonged absence. This loss posed a considerable challenge for the Spanish coaching staff in finding midfield alternatives.

The generational duel: Messi vs. Yamal

Beyond the absences, the Finalissima featured two historically significant figures: Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal faced each other for the first time on the pitch. Both made their professional debuts at Barcelona, but their careers never crossed paths until this match. The Argentine, an undisputed football icon of recent decades, faced the player destined to be his successor and already a star among the world’s best. The timing of their encounter was explained: when Yamal debuted for Barcelona in April 2023, Messi was playing for PSG and soon after moved to Inter Miami, preventing any meetings in club or national team settings.

Star-studded lineups on both sides

Beyond the Messi-Yamal generational duel, the Finalissima brought together the best footballers in the world. On the Argentine side, 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, as well as attackers Nico Williams and Ferran Torres. The level of these squads made the Finalissima a showcase of top-tier talent.

Possible rematches in the 2026 United States tournament

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup in the United States-Mexico-Canada, Argentina and Spain could meet again. If one finished as group leader and the other as runner-up, their match would be in the Round of 32. If both finished first in their groups, they could only meet in an eventual final.

The history between these two powerhouses

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

The last recorded match before the Finalissima was in 2018, when Spain’s Furia Roja defeated Argentina 6-1. In that game, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Giovani Lo Celso started for Argentina, while Lautaro Martínez and Marcos Acuña came off the bench. Both teams shared veterans like Leandro Paredes and Ángel Correa at the time, and Spanish players such as Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, and Rodri also played on the field, setting the stage for future encounters between these two global powers.