World Cup final preview: Powerhouses Argentina, Spain collide for glory at MetLife Stadium on Sunday

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates find themselves on the cusp of making World Cup history entering Sunday's final against Spain.

If the defending champions win they will become the third team in history to win successive cups and the first since Pele-led Brazil accomplished the feat in 1958 and 1962. Italy (1934, 1938) also won back-to-back.

The Spaniards, spearheaded by 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal, will have a say in that in front of a capacity crowd and President Trump at MetLife Stadium at 3 p.m. A global TV audience estimated at 1.5 billion is expected to watch.

The confrontation will pit the reigning South American champions against their European counterparts, with Argentina’s frenetic frenzy attacking Spain’s consummate control.

“It will be a fantastic spectacle," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. "They are two super teams . . . Each of us will try to dictate the game to our advantage, but both teams will play a match where talent prevails."

Argentina (7-0-0 at this World Cup) is vying for its fourth title, having won in 1978, 1986, and 2022. Coach Lionel Scaloni also could become the second coach to win back-to-back titles, equaling Vittorio Pozzo’s feat with Italy.

"They have done things that a few years ago were unthinkable,” Scaloni said. “It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years. The journey to get this far has been incredible."

Spain (6-0-1) secured its lone crown in 2010.

"We're pleased with the journey the team has taken, but we're not stopping there; our ambition goes much further,” Spain captain Rodri said.

No team has lived this close to the edge as Argentina has. Every knockout-round game has been filled with drama and late heroics.

"We don't think about pressure," Messi said at the Fanatics Festival at the Javits Center on Friday night. "We will give it our all."

Messi did not attend the pregame press conference in the same building.

The Argentines needed late rallies to overcome Cape Verde (round of 32), Egypt (round of 16), Switzerland (quarterfinals) and England (semifinals). Messi set up both goals in a 2-1 win over England.

"Messi is pure history," Scaloni said. "To be able to arrive at a final as he has at 39, I think, is something incredible."

Messi, who has scored a career-record 21 World Cup goals, is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Ball lead (eight goals apiece). He tallied six in the group stage before taking a playmaking role.

He may not be the same player that led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, but Messi's great vision and high soccer IQ have had an impact. When Messi has the ball, opponents converge on him, leaving teammates open.

“We won’t man-mark him, but we’ll be vigilant,” de la Fuente said.

In contrast to Argentina, the Spaniards deploy a pressing style and a suffocating defense that shut down Mbappe. That tight man-marking and superb positioning have made foes struggle to get over the center line. La Roja have conceded only once in seven matches. Goalkeeper Unai Simon has a cup-record six shutouts.

Spain might be best positioned to slow down Messi.

If opponents break through, the dynamic center-back tandem of veteran Aymeric Laporte and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi has played as close to a perfect World Cup.

"If they leave the hotel, I am already concerned," Scaloni said of Spain. "Once they are on the bus and they leave the hotel, I am concerned."

The teams have two unique connections. In 2017, Scaloni was a student when de la Fuente was his teacher at the Spanish Football Association's coaching academy.

“I have great admiration for the national team," de la Fuente said of Argentina. "They’ve just made history and are managed by a friend of mine."

A 2007 picture surfaced this week showing the  20-year-old Messi bathing a baby Yamal during a charity calendar shoot.

“Lamine is a huge player I followed a lot because he plays in a club [Barcelona] that I love,” Messi said. “He is one of the leaders worldwide [at] 19. He has his whole career ahead of him. He has a great opportunity to make history, which we intend to give our maximum so that it’s not this time. I wish him the best.”

Lamal, who recuperated from a hamstring injury before the cup, limped off the field after Spain’s win over France, is expected to play.

“He is in perfect physical condition,” de la Fuente said.

Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain with five goals.

Both teams will face an unique situation — a longer halftime.  . For the first time, the final will feature an extended halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final, thanks to thunderstorms passing through the area, meteorologists say.