THE INSIDE CHANNEL: World Cup Final Preview | Messi again or will Spain reign? | With Sam Allardyce and Gaizka Mendieta

The World Cup Final. Argentina v Spain. This is the essential listen before kick-off.

Sam Matterface and Alex Crook deliver their definitive preview of Sunday’s final – the key tactical battles, whether Spain can contain Messi as they contained France, how big a role the greatest player of his generation can play on the biggest stage of all, and their predictions.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce joins the show with his honest reaction to England’s semi-final exit and his verdict on Thomas Tuchel’s future. Big Sam doesn’t hold back – and as someone who has sat in the England manager’s chair, his perspective on the debate is a must-watch.

Spanish legend Gaizka Mendieta gives the Spain perspective ahead of the final – his thoughts on their outstanding run through the tournament, what this team has that makes them genuine contenders to beat Argentina, and what a first World Cup win since 2010 would mean for the nation and for this generation of players.

The tipping competition reaches its final chapter. Sam leads by 96.4 points on settled bets, with his Spain outright pick from the start of the tournament still live for the final itself. Alex makes his last pick – he needs something big.

⚽ In this episode:

World Cup Final preview – tactics, Messi, can Spain do it & score predictions
Sam Allardyce exclusive – England’s semi-final exit & the Tuchel future debate
Gaizka Mendieta exclusive – the Spain perspective on reaching the final
What a World Cup win would mean for Spain
Tipping competition – Sam’s Spain outright is live, Alex’s last roll of the dice

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