The Spain National Football Team vs Argentina National Football Team Lineups show the players chosen to start a specific match between these two international teams. To understand the selections correctly readers must know the match date, competition and whether the names are confirmed starters or predictions.
This guide covers the confirmed starting elevens for the FIFA World Cup final on 19 July 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium called MetLife Stadium. Spain won 1–0 after time with the substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal.
Below are both starting lineups, an explanation of their roles and the substitutions that changed the teams during the match.
Confirmed Starting Lineups and Match Overview
Luis de la Fuente selected Spain’s starting eleven while Lionel Scaloni chose Argentina’s team. Both sides began with four defenders, supported by combinations of midfielders and attacking players.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Stage | Final |
| Date | 19 July 2026 |
| Venue | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| Spain coach | Luis de la Fuente |
| Argentina coach | Lionel Scaloni |
| Score after 90 minutes | 0–0 |
| Final result | Spain 1–0 Argentina after time |
| Winning goalscorer | Ferran Torres 106th minute |
These selections belong to this specific fixture. They should not be presented as national team lineups or confirmed selections for a future match.
Spain’s Confirmed Starting Lineup
Spain selected a team with passing options attacking creativity and width. Their starting eleven included Rodri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Spain Starting XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Unai Simón |
| Right-back | Pedro Porro |
| Centre-back | Pau Cubarsí |
| Centre-back | Aymeric Laporte |
| Left-back | Marc Cucurella |
| Central midfielder | Rodri |
| Central midfielder | Fabián Ruiz |
| Attacking midfielder / wide player | Álex Baena |
| Attacking midfielder | Dani Olmo |
| Right winger | Lamine Yamal |
| Forward | Mikel Oyarzabal |
The positions above describe the players’ roles within the selected team. Footballers can move between areas during a match so a lineup table does not represent every attacking or defensive movement.
Spain’s Formation and Player Roles
Spain’s personnel can be understood as a four-defender system with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz providing support behind the more advanced players. The shape could change depending on possession. The opposition’s positioning.
Goalkeeper and Defensive Line
Unai Simón started in goal. Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella occupied the full-back positions while Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte formed the defensive pairing.
The full-backs had to balance supporting attacks with protecting spaces. The centre-backs provided cover passing options when Spain began moves from defence.
Midfield and Attacking Connections
Rodri and Fabián Ruiz supplied central midfield options. Dani Olmo and Álex Baena offered connections between midfield and attack.
From a perspective this selection created several possible passing routes. A player receiving between the lines could link with the forward release a winger or return the ball to midfield.
Forward Positions
Lamine Yamal offered an attacking option while Mikel Oyarzabal occupied the forward position.
The forwards’ responsibilities were different but connected. Width can stretch a line while central movement can create room for teammates arriving from deeper positions.
Argentina’s Confirmed Starting Lineup
Argentina began with Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez in attack. Behind them the selected midfield included Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Nicolás González.
Argentina Starting XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martínez |
| Right-back | Gonzalo Montiel |
| Centre-back | Cristian Romero |
| Centre-back | Lisandro Martínez |
| back | Nicolás Tagliafico |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo De Paul |
| Midfielder | Enzo Fernández |
| Midfielder | Alexis Mac Allister |
| Wide midfielder | Nicolás González |
| Forward | Lionel Messi |
| Forward | Julián Álvarez |
These were Argentina’s starters. Nicolás Otamendi and Leandro Paredes entered later so Nicolás Otamendi and Leandro Paredes belong in the substitution discussion than the starting lineup table.
Argentina’s Formation and Player Roles
Argentina’s selection can be interpreted as a four-defender setup with four midfield options and two forwards. This is a reading of the personnel rather than a claim that the team maintained one fixed shape throughout.
Goalkeeper and Defensive Responsibilities
Emiliano Martínez started behind a defence featuring Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Tagliafico.
Defensive organisation depends on movement. When one defender steps forward to challenge an opponent teammates must protect the space, behind him. Maintain suitable distances.
Midfield Balance
De Paul, Fernández and Mac Allister presented options in the midfield. González gave an outlet.
When facing an opponent with passing choices midfielders must decide when to press and when to protect space. They also need to support passes after possession changes.
Messi and Álvarez lead the attack.
Messi and Álvarez formed Argentinas starting group. Their presence offered chances for linking play and for making runs beyond the midfield.
An attacking partnership needs support from the rest of the team. Forward movement becomes more useful when midfielders can deliver the ball at the moment.
Key. Lineup changes.
A starting eleven explains how a match begins. Substitutions, injuries and disciplinary events can produce a team structure later.
Spains substitutions.
| Minute | Player introduced | Player replaced |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Ferran Torres | Mikel Oyarzabal |
| 62 | Pedri | Fabián Ruiz |
| 75 | Nico Williams | Álex Baena |
| 75 | Mikel Merino | Dani Olmo |
| 99 | Martín Zubimendi | Rodri |
| 99 | Eric García | Aymeric Laporte |
Torres scored in the minute even though Torres did not start the match. Torres contribution shows why substitutes are a part of lineup analysis.
Argentinas substitutions.
Argentina introduced Nicolás Otamendi for Lisandro Martínez before time. Leandro Paredes replaced González at the interval.
Further changes brought on Nahuel Molina, Facundo Medina, Giuliano Simeone and Marcos Senesi.
Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time leaving Argentina with ten players heading into extra time. The dismissal changed the balance and increased the defensive responsibilities of the remaining players.
Difference between confirmed and predicted lineups.
A confirmed lineup identifies the eleven players officially selected to start a match.
A predicted lineup is an estimate published before the team announcement. It can change because of fitness, suspension or a coach’s tactical decision.
A squad list includes the group available for selection. Being included in a squad does not mean a player started or appeared in the match.
For this reason any article about Spain and Argentinas lineups should clearly identify the fixture it covers.
Asked questions.
Did Lionel Messi start against Spain?
Yes. Messi was included in Argentinas starting eleven for the 19 July 2026 final.
Did Lamine Yamal start for Spain?
Yes. Yamal was part of Spains confirmed starting lineup.
Was Ferran Torres in the starting eleven?
No. Ferran Torres entered in the minute and scored the extra-time winner.
Did Pedri start the match?
No. Pedri entered as a substitute for Fabián Ruiz.
Are these lineups predictions for the meeting?
No. They are the confirmed starting selections for the World Cup final.
Conclusion.
The Spain National Football Team vs Argentina National Football Team Lineups provide a record of the players who began the 19 July 2026 final.
Spain selected a team featuring Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal while Argentina started Messi and Álvarez ahead of their midfield group. Subsequent substitutions and Fernández’s dismissal changed the teams with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal.
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