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Argentina struggles in World Cup final loss to Spain as Messi remains silent

Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 11:15 PM

Last updated Jul 19, 2026

Argentina struggles in World Cup final loss to Spain as Messi remains silent
Summary

Argentina faced Spain in the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026, concluding the match with a 1-0 defeat after extra time. The Argentine team failed to register any shots during the 90 minutes, ultimately finishing as the least attacking team ever in a World Cup final. Despite Lionel Messi's significant contributions throughout the tournament, he was absent in the final, leaving Argentina's performance lackluster and disappointing for their supporters. The loss marks Messi's second defeat in a World Cup final, with only one victory in three appearances.

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By the Numbers
  • •Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.
  • •The team recorded no shots in 90 minutes, marking a historic low.
  • •Lionel Messi finished the tournament without influence in the final match.
  • •The loss represents Messi's second final defeat, having previously won in 2022.
  • •Argentina finished the tournament with significant defensive focus, lacking offensive ambition.
Latest Updates
  • 11:15 PMYahoo Sports — Argentina’s World Cup final performance was a disgrace to Lionel Messi’s legacy
  • 11:06 PMThe Guardian Sport — Lionel Messi’s World Cup fairytale ends with pitiful Argentina as final villains | Pablo Iglesias Maurer
What they're saying
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Game’s greatest player will not see his legacy sullied by defeat to Spain but his team’s display destroyed the game Playing on the grandest stage in sport for the last time, Lionel Messi seemed almost certain to provide one last memorable moment in this World Cup final. Yet as the sun ducked behind the west stand of New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, it became clearer and clearer that Argentina had lost the magic they had carried through this tournament. And as Spain gradually wrested control, one was left to confront reality: Messi, and Argentina, had finally run out of time, having long since given in to their worst instincts in a 1-0 defeat. Continue reading...

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WORLD CUP FINAL : Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time): A team with the greatest footballer ever should not be this dull, this focused on delaying and disrupting, writes Richard Jolly from the New York Stadium

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