Refresh for latest updates. Read from bottom up …
89min –Headed for extra time?
86min –Still no 22. Lautaro Martinez for Argentina? Being held for extra time?
82min –14. Aymeric Laporte’s header forces a save from Martinez.
81min –We are into the last 10min. Argentina hanging on.
77min –Martinez another stop from Pau Cubarsi, also from outside the box. The Argentina keeper has made more than seven saves in the game.
76min –Martinez makes a stop from Pedri shot from edge of the box.
75min – SUBS: Spain – 17. Nico Williams and 6 Mikel Merino for 10. Olmo and 15. Baena.
71min –SUBS: (Argentina) 17. Giuliano Simeone on for 7. Rodrigo de Paul; a minute earlier 25. Facundo Medina was on for a liming 13. Cristian Gabriel Romero.
68min –Hydration break. Ka-ching.
66min –Spain piling on the pressure, corners coming their way, the a Yamal cross from the right, Torres up to head, Martinez takes.
64min –Spain passing across the front of Argentina’s area, ends with Olmo’s shot from the edge of the area stopped by Martinez.
62min –SUBS: for Spain, 20. Pedri and 7. Ferran Torres for 8. Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal.
61min –Spain free kick, Yamal into the wall.
58min –SUB:26. Nahuel Molina on for Montiel for Argentina.
57min –Spain are still applying the pressure. Crucial intercept in the box for Argentina by 4. Gonzalo Montiel.
52min –Paredes booked – foul – push on back of Spain’s 10. Olmo.
47min –Almost immediately Alex Baena shoots from the edge of the box for Spain, Martinez saves comfortably enough.
46min –And we are back …
HT –SUB: 5. Leandro Paredes on for 15. Nicolas Gonzalez for Argentina.
10.21pm – The half time show is done, the players are back on the field.
HALF TIME – SPAIN 0 ARGENTINA 0
Spain are supposedly the marginal favourites for this final, and they edged that half.
Argentina had their moments.
Some of Spain’s constriction they showed against England effective again in a niggling, testy half.
Lamine Yamal with an early chance for La Roja and he generally looked quite dangerous.
Lionel Messi might be a bit frustrated not to have had more ball. Argentina never panic though. They are the comeback kings who can never be ruled out. Messi certainly does not panic.
It will be fascinating to see how the second half pans out. Spain probably wouldn’t mind a bit more of the same. Argentina will look for a way to get more ball and for an answer in how to get behind Spain, which they did not do much in the first half.
(Melville a little subdued for that opening half. If it had been an action-packed opening half there would have been screams and shouts and oohs and aahs from the bars, but very little of that. Let’s see how the second half goes.)
Tagliafico is going to have his hands full against Lamine Yamal 👀⚽
📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5ccpic.twitter.com/xiUPoyiPDZ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
⚽️ 𝔽𝕀𝔽𝔸 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 ℂ𝕦𝕡 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟞 🏆
🪇 𝑯𝒂𝒍𝒇-𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘!💃
🇪🇸 🆚 🇦🇷
🚨 LIVE
🥇 Final
📺 SABC 1 | SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#FIFAWorldCup#AllOfUsAllInKaofelapic.twitter.com/FGrfKaOa8e— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2026
45min +4 –That’s the break.
45min –2min added …
44min –SUB: veteran 19. Nicolas Otamendi on for limping Alvarez for Argentina.
43min – Left-back 24. Marc Cucurella always looks dangerous up that left flank for Spain, gets a shot from outside the box that goes across the face, though in the end well wide.
41min –Lissandro Martinez booked for bringing down Oyarzabal.
39min –Good short passing by Spain ends with that danger man 21. Mikel Oyarzabal’s snap shot form the edge of the box forcing a good stop by Martinez.
35min –Niggly stuff. Two teams sizing each other up with percentage football right now. Spain perhaps still look the most dangerous so far in attack. Argentina have all the experience in World Cup finals and anyone knows they can strike at any time, though Spain’s anaconda that strangled England in the semifinal also looking quite effective right now.
28min – The game is back …
25min – The hydration break. Some more money for Fifa.
The way Argentina took the game back at the jugular after Spain’s bright start is the way Lionel Scaloni’s team play – superb and tough competitors.
23min –The first 10min Spain looked good, the next 10 Argentina fought back with their physique as things got niggly.
17min –Some challenges coming in as both teams try to muscle an early advantage – 15. Alex Baena clatters into 10. Lionel Messi, free kick to Argentina that comes to nothing.
15min –Quite a challenge by 20. Alexis Mac Allister on Spain’s 10. Dani Olmo – goes to VAR. Adjudged OK.
13min –Corner to Spain, taken by 15. Alex Baena – comes to nothing
10min –Game settles. Spain edged that opening 10 minutes with a chance and some half-chances. Spain had 60% of the ball.
5min –Wow, Spain fired up and on the attack early, ball falls to 19. Lamine Yamal on the right who forces a stop off keeper 23. Emiliano Martinez’s legs.
9.06pm – 1min – That’s kickoff – we are under way!
9.04pm –… and we await kickoff!
Views from the New York New Jersey Stadium 🤩🌍
The fans are ready for a feast 🍿⚽#DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #EverythingCanWaitpic.twitter.com/8O6PIH4mpE
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
⚽️ 𝔽𝕀𝔽𝔸 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 ℂ𝕦𝕡 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟞 🏆
▶️ Let the game begin!
🇪🇸 🆚 🇦🇷
🚨 LIVE
🥇 Final
📺 SABC 1 | SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#FIFAWorldCup#AllOfUsAllInKaofelapic.twitter.com/vIcnV4Oot3— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2026
8.59pm –and there’s the anthems.
8.57pm –… and they take the field …
8.55pm –The teams are in the tunnel …
8.45pm – There’s the US anthem …
8.44pm – The scene inside New York New Jersey Stadium:
The scene at MetLife Stadium 40 minutes before kickoff, as both #Spain and #Argentina warm up. The lower bowl is almost completely full, while the upper deck is too. The middle tier is still filling in. pic.twitter.com/Cc4u0WqmWv
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 19, 2026
8.15pm – The Starting XIs and how the two teams will be set out:
(And with that your blogger will take a short break, to rest his fingers [and nerves!] from the furious typing that has been, and that to come)
Here’s how Spain and Argentina line up for the World Cup final 🇪🇸🇦🇷🏆🆚
Luis de la Fuente sticks with the same Spain side that started their semi-final win over France, with Lionel Scaloni making three changes to the Argentina XI that beat England, with Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo… pic.twitter.com/8tXXqQtyUa
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 19, 2026
Spain and Argentina’s starting XI for the World Cup final ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/X2zszI8i8K
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
8.03pm – From Google AI, Al Jazeera and Fifa.com, here are some key stats on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. What stands out is Spain are the best defensive team in the tournament (1 goal conceded) and Argentina the best attacking (a record 19 scored).
Final key statistics:
Teams
Ahead of the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Spain and Argentina boast balanced historical statistics alongside opposing tactical strengths.
The lifetime record between the two national teams is completely even. Their only previous World Cup meeting occurred in 1966, where Argentina won 2–1.
- Total Matches: 14
- Spain Wins: 6
- Argentina Wins: 6
- Draws: 2
The two teams reached the final showcasing entirely different team dynamics throughout the group and knockout stages.
Goals Scored: Spain 13 / Argentina 19 (tournament high)
Goals Conceded: Spain 1 (6 clean sheets) Argentina 7
Passes Completed: Spain 4,156 / Argentina 4,324Passing
Pass Accuracy: Spain 91% / Argentina 91%
Forced Turnovers: Spain 343 / Argentina 297
Total Distance Covered: Spain 799,554m / Argentina 813,091m
Individual
Lionel Messi (Argentina): Enters the final with 8 goals and 4 assists. A goal makes him the oldest scorer in a World Cup final at 39 years old.
Lamine Yamal (Spain): Leads the tournament with 30 completed dribbles. If Spain win, he becomes the joint-fourth youngest world champion in history.
7.55pm – Closing (and opening) ceremonies have changed. Soccer City/FNB Stadium on July 11 2010 in South Africa killed that.
Still, great tunes, nice vibes, colourful and getting us in the mood and the juices flowing.
This is when you know it’s a World Cup final! The most-watched match in world sport, by thousands of miles! We wait four years for this moment. The we wait again. And it’s back again!
One hour, five minutes to go! Let’s go!
⚽️ 𝔽𝕀𝔽𝔸 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 ℂ𝕦𝕡 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟞 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℂ𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕪 🎇
🎶 The #ClosingCeremony of the #FIFAWorldCup 2026!
🇪🇸 🆚 🇦🇷
🚨 LIVE
🥇 Final
📺 SABC 1 | SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#AllOfUsAllInKaofelapic.twitter.com/WNIlF73xem— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2026
7.45pm – Some scenes from in an around New York New Jersey Stadium:
🔴 Así se vive el ambiente en Nueva York-Nueva Jersey previo a la gran final del Mundial 2026 entre España y Argentina.
📹 Redes sociales pic.twitter.com/4yp79urMH2
— Luis Alberto Medina (@elalbertomedina) July 19, 2026
Tempo 🇭🇹prezan nan New York New Jersey Stadium pou final Mondyal FIFA 2026 ant Ajantin ak Espay pic.twitter.com/SESgBlzJRQ
— Haiti-Tempo (@Haititempo) July 19, 2026
La afición ya llega al estadio de la gran final de la Copa del Mundo 2026 🏆⚽️
🚨 Los filtros para ingresar y el número de elementos es impresionante en el New Jersey – New York Stadium 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/UVQwUscAPY
— De10Sports (@De10Sports) July 19, 2026
🇪🇸 ¡La Marea Roja ya está en las inmediaciones del MetLife Stadium de Nueva Jersey!
🗣️ Los aficionados cantaron ‘El novio de la muerte’ en su travesía al estadio pic.twitter.com/UA1trwOIoi
— Vozpópuli (@voz_populi) July 19, 2026
7.43pm – Yes, that’s the closing ceremony under way …
7.36pm –… which is set to be short and sweet, a la the opening ceremony in Mexico City 39 days ago …
7.35pm – Apparently the closing ceremony is set to begin in New Jersey …
7.28pm – A quick relocation by your blogger, from his living room to IT Corner in Melville (fears over his streaming crashing at home) … and, what the heck, nothing wrong with a bit of an atmosphere for a World Cup final.
One hour 31 minutes now to the greatest game in football. Excitement mounting …
7.07pm – From Sky Sports News, South American Football expert Phil Vickery “dissects the World Cup final showdown between Argentina and Spain, weighing in on what a win would mean for Lionel Messi’s legacy”:
🗣️ “If Messi can pull it off, I don’t think there’s any doubt.”
South American football expert Tim Vickery dissects the World Cup final showdown between Argentina and Spain, weighing in on what a win would mean for Lionel Messi’s legacy 🔝 pic.twitter.com/Q6rcH73iGU
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
7.05pm – From Sky Sports News, what the two finalist teams’ fans have to say in New Jersey:
Argentina and Spain fans look ahead to today’s World Cup final in New Jersey 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2Xa6WDj32V
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
6.37pm – From the BBC … How the World Cup Final will be WON & LOST … a really good deep tactical breakdown:
6.01pm – And a little more video:
The defending Champions & the challengers. #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/NzuPaVmxM2
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
The last #FIFAWorldCup Final was absolute cinema 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Um1GfqujAG
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
La Albiceleste are looking to join an exclusive club on Sunday night 🏆🛡️
Can they go back-to-back? Find out on SuperSport with coverage starting at 18:30 (CAT) 📺#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/4IO1rmXfXr
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
5.39pm – Here is some video building up to the final:
Mikel Merino couldn’t believe Lionel Messi’s photo with a young Lamine Yamal was real! 😅 pic.twitter.com/Wc7AGW9izc
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 17, 2026
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey give their predictions for the World Cup final 🇪🇸🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/FxyFz0xyck
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 17, 2026
La Furia Roja are focused 😤🇪🇸
Can they add a second star to their crest in New Jersey tonight? ⭐⌛#SSFootballl | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/p33vVPoMv4
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
Listen to the noise 🔊
The Argentinian fans went crazy when Lautaro Martinez scored his stoppage-time winner against England 🥳🎉#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/ooZq5mZRsp
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
Argentina fans have taken over Times Square the night before the 2026 World Cup Final 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/lj83pB7WaL
— Ultras Clips (@ultras_clips) July 19, 2026
🚨 The first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show will feature performances from:
🇨🇴 Shakira
🇺🇸 Madonna
🇨🇦 Justin Bieber
🇻🇪 Gustavo Dudamel
🇬🇧 Coldplay
🇳🇬 Burna Boy
🇰🇷 BTS pic.twitter.com/9EyFC0Wtb1— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) July 18, 2026
5.34pm – Here are the match officials for the final:
- Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
- First assistant referee: Tomaž Klančnik (Slovenia)
- Second assistant referee: Andraž Kovačič (Slovenia)
- Fourth official: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
- Reserve assistant referee: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
- Video assistant referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
- Assistant VAR: Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
- Support VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
5.29pm – To start: here are some match facts:
- 3pm in New Jersey, 9pm South Africa time
- New York New Jersey Stadium
From Wikipedia: “MetLife Stadium, temporarily known as New York New Jersey Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is a multi-purpose stadium located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 8km west of New York City. Opened in 2010, it replaced Giants Stadium and serves as the home for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). At an approximate cost of $1.6bn, it was the most expensive stadium built in the US at the time of its completion.”
- 82,500
- 1.30pm in New Jersey, 7.30pm SA time
- Post Malone (headliner), Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed
In US Superbowl style, there will be a half time show for the World Cup final for the first time in history. That means half time will be 17 minutes long rather than the standard 15 minutes.
- Performers: Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS
- SABC 3 and SuperSport channel 202, Streamed on SABC+ and DStv Stream
5.15pm –And here we are.
From Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat kickoff match against Mexico at the Azteca on June 11, way back 39 days ago now, 103 matches later, 48 teams have been whittled down to two for the 104th and biggest match of them all, the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The semifinals were one engrossing (Spain muscling out tournament favourites France), one thrilling and fiery (Lionel-Messi inspired Argentina beating heated rivals England by staging a stunning comeback).
And that leaves us with this monumentally huge clash at New York New Jersey Stadium (9pm SA time) where coach Luis de la Fuente’s 2010 champions Spain meet the defending champions and three-time winners (1978, 1986 and 2022) in coach Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina.
The game, of course, features the fascinating subplot of the contest between 39-year-old Messi, seeking to write his name further into football immorality; and the future of the game, Spain’s 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, inheritor of Messi’s No 10 jersey at Barcelona who has been breaking the Argentine’s records at junior and senior level.
I am your LIVE UPDATES BLOGGER, Arena Holdings Digital and TimesLIVE sports editor Marc Strydom. I am not in New Jersey Stadium but in my living room in Melville Johannesburg but will endeavour to bring you the blow-by-blow build-up and action like I was there.
The World Cup final, ladies and gentleman! There’s nothing else quite like it! Not even by a hundred miles.
Pull up your various beverages, get the popcorn and hotdogs ready in your lounges. TV rooms, living areas, restaurants, bars, taverns and shebeens.
Love and sap up every kick, VAR drama, Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino faux pas and every moment. Here we go. One of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles is just a few hours away.
Enjoy!
🇪🇦🆚🇦🇷 This is where the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina will be played. MetLife Stadium in the USA, which has a capacity of 82,500. 🏆🏟️#España#fifaworldcuppic.twitter.com/gni5UwKPMp
— G@vin (@Gavin22j) July 19, 2026
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
- World Cup pagehere
- Star player profileshere
- Bafana newshere
