ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: World Cup Final

So here we go! After 103 games featuring 307 goals and no shortage of drama it all comes down to this, writes ALEX CROOK.

The holders against the European champions, Messi against Yamal, the tournament’s best defence against the most prolific attack, Argentina against Spain to decide the victors of the 2026 World Cup.

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While torrential rain has caused havoc for some fans trying to fly into New York for what could be a final for the ages, there is no dampening the enthusiasm of those hardy Spanish and Argentinian fans.

In the red corner, we have a Spain team who have only conceded one goal en route to their first final since defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time in 2010.

In the blue corner, an Argentina side who have had to ride their luck throughout the knockout stages but who have had the brilliance of arguably the world’s best ever player in Lionel Messi to bail them out.

So, is this where the reigning champions’ good fortune finally runs out or is it simply inevitable that magnificent Messi becomes the first captain ever to lift back-to-back World Cups?

Well, the last team to retain the trophy were Argentina’s great rivals Brazil all the way back in 1962 and it has only happened twice so history is not on Messi’s side.

Also, the record books tell us that the team that plays their semi-final first more often than not go on to emerge victorious in the final itself.

That is before you even factor in Spain’s impressive record of 37 games unbeaten since losing to Colombia more than two years ago.

They have also beaten Argentina in three of their last four meetings, including a 6-1 friendly drubbing in 2018.

However, Argentina also know their way around major tournaments having won two successive Copa America’s with their triumph over France in Qatar in the 2022 World Cup final sandwiched in between.

The South Americans have scored in their last 19 games and I expect that trend to continue even against such a solid Spanish defence.

Whether it is Lautaro Martinez, the late match-winner against England in the semi-final in Atlanta, or sought-after Julian Alvarez who partners Messi in attack, they have a goal threat running throughout the team.

Both teams to score has been boosted from 4/5 to 10/11 by starsports.bet.

Stopping Yamal is likely to be a key part of Argentina’s game-plan and I expect the teenager to be on the receiving end of some agricultural challenges. His marker Nicolas Tagliafico is 2/1 with starsports.bet to be shown a card.

While Spain’s impressive semi-final victory over France makes them worthy favourites, their opponents just never know when to lie down.

With their powers of recovery, I think Argentina to win from behind, boosted from 16/1 to 20/1 with starsports.bet is worth a small play.

Finally, for my build-a-bet I am backing the draw at half-time, Mikel Oyarzabal to score, over 2.5 cards and Tagliafico to be shown a card which returns 21/1 with starsports.bet.

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(JULY 2026): ALEX’S PROFIT/LOSS: -10.82 points

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