With their spot in the final already secured, Argentina's national team has begun the countdown to the biggest match of Lionel Scaloni's tenure: the 2026 World Cup final against Spain. Following a grueling semifinal win over England in Atlanta, the Argentine delegation will move to the New York metropolitan area to complete its final training sessions before Sunday's decisive match.

In a comeback that will forever be etched in Argentine football history, the national team beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinals, securing a third consecutive final appearance. Argentina will now chase back-to-back titles against Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. The match, played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, appeared to be slipping away when Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute. But Scaloni's side, true to form throughout this cycle, delivered exactly when it mattered most.

With five minutes left, Enzo Fernández fired home an unstoppable strike to level the score at 1-1, sending the Argentine section of the stadium into a frenzy. The midfielder's celebration, cupping his hands behind his ears, was a direct response to critics who had questioned his form during the tournament. Just a minute later, in stoppage time, Lionel Messi set up Lautaro Martínez with a right-footed cross, and the forward headed home the winning goal to make it 2-1, unleashing pure delirium in Atlanta and everywhere Argentina is followed.

Visibly moved, Martínez struggled to hold back tears while speaking to reporters. "I dreamed about it, I swear," he said, adding a line that touched fans everywhere: "The first time my dad bought me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal." The Inter Milan striker also had words for his family, reflecting on how fatherhood has changed his outlook on football and on life.

Messi didn't score, but once again proved to be the architect of the win, providing both assists. Speaking to reporters afterward, the captain didn't hide his emotion over what the match meant. "This wasn't just another win, it was an important one that the Argentine people wanted, and it got us into another World Cup final," he said. The Rosario native also fired back at critics who had questioned the team throughout the tournament, saying that no matter what people say, this group proves that nothing comes easy on the field.

Lionel Scaloni appeared overcome with emotion in his post-match press conference. "This group never stops surprising me. We really are unique, and it's not arrogance — it's heart. These people carried us to victory today," said the coach from Pujato, who also acknowledged the emotional weight of facing Spain, a country where he lives with his family. "Come Sunday, I feel it — we're going to try to beat them, but with total respect," he said. Scaloni also praised his team's collective effort over the result itself, admitting the physical toll of another deep tournament run.

Spain, already training in New Jersey since earlier this week, held its first session on Thursday focused solely on the final. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has urged his squad to avoid overconfidence despite a commanding 2-0 win over France. Argentina, by contrast, arrives with heavier physical wear after a grueling semifinal that saw several players go the full distance, including extra time, meaning Scaloni's staff will prioritize recovery before finalizing tactical details.

Excitement for the final is already visible in the skies: Aerolíneas Argentinas added special flights between Ezeiza and New York's JFK Airport for fans hoping to cheer the team on in person, with departures scheduled through the eve of the match. That same anticipation is being felt back home, with massive celebrations already breaking out in Santa Fe, Rosario and Buenos Aires as soon as the team's spot in the final was confirmed.

On the tactical side, Argentina's biggest challenge will be containing Spain's possession game, particularly Rodri, the midfield orchestrator who sets the tempo for their attack. The coaching staff's plan centers on smart pressing to prevent Spain's midfield from dictating the pace, a strategy that proved decisive earlier in the tournament. In defense, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez will be tasked with maintaining the defensive solidity that has defined the Scaloni era.

Beyond the tactics, Argentina carries a significant emotional edge: much of the squad has already played in continental and World Cup finals, and Messi will be chasing a second consecutive world title, a feat only a handful of players in history have ever achieved. With logistics already in motion and fans preparing to make the trip, everything is set for a final that promises to close out the 2026 World Cup on a note of pure emotion on American soil.