“Brilliant game, 3-2” – Ex-Chelsea star Craig Burley predicts who will win Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup final

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has predicted Argentina to beat Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday (July 19) in New Jersey. The Albiceleste are riding a record 13-game winning streak in the competition.

They are coming off a 2-1 come-from-behind win over England in the last four in Atlanta on Wednesday (July 15). Anthony Gordon’s second-half opener brought the Three Lions to within five minutes of victory before the Albiceleste scored twice late on to advance.

Enzo Fernandez equalised from a Lionel Messi assist from distance before substitute Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback seven minutes later by heading home Messi’s cross.

La Roja, meanwhile, are coming off a 2-0 victory over France in the semi-final, as they look to win their second title this weekend. However, Burley reckons the Albiceleste will douse those hopes, saying on ESPN:

“The Argentinians will try to get under the skin of the Spaniards even more. I think De Paul will play (ahead of Simeone). Sometimes he goes over the edge, but he’s a brilliant player. It was way easier than we expected for Spain against France. I don’t think Argentina will allow the same to happen. Brilliant game, 3-2 to Argentina.”

La Roja triumphed in their only FIFA World Cup final in 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste won their third title at Qatar 2022, beating holders France on penalties.

Iker Casillas predicts Spain win over Argentina in 2026 FIFA World Cup final

Former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas reckons La Roja will thwart Argentina’s hopes of a successful title defence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the two teams meet in the final in New Jersey this weekend.

Casillas was the La Roja captain who lifted his nation’s first and only FIFA World Cup title 16 years ago in South Africa. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste are looking to join Brazil, Italy and Germany as the only teams to win the competition four times.

“There will not be a fourth star, Argentina,” Casillas tweeted. “Let’s go for the second! Let’s go!”

Lionel Scaloni’s holders have conceded in all four knockout games, scoring twice in stoppage time to find the winner and getting extended to extra time twice, while La Roja only conceded in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium.