Spain have won all of their knockout games and have a reliable defence that has conceded just one goal over the course of the tournament. Argentina have shown a remarkable will to win as they have been dragged into extra time twice and have had to come from behind twice during the knockout stages, but their luck may well run out against this well drilled Spanish outfit and the Europeans look capable of winning inside 90 minutes.

The three fouls drawn by Nicolas Tagliafico against England took his tally to 13 for the tournament and seven of these have come in his last two appearances. He will be going up against Spain attacker Lamine Yamal, who leads the way for La Roja in fouls committed.

Yamal has committed ten fouls across his last three World Cup matches and, given how Argentina’s semi-final against England went, the underdogs are likely to turn this into a cagey, stop-start affair.

Mikel Oyarzabal is Spain’s top scorer with five goals and he scored from the penalty spot in the win over France. Oyarzabal should be on spot kick duties again and he looks the standout candidate for an anytime effort in the final. 

Spain have won all of their knockout games and have a reliable defence that has conceded just one goal over the course of the tournament. Argentina have shown a remarkable will to win as they have been dragged into extra time twice and have had to come from behind twice during the knockout stages, but their luck may well run out against this well drilled Spanish outfit and the Europeans look capable of winning inside 90 minutes. Spain nullified France’s formidable attack in the last four and they can repeat that trick against Argentina. La Roja have conceded just one goal at the World Cup and they can frustrate the South Americans and secure a 2-0 win, having scored eight goals in total across their four knockout games so far. 

Spain have scored at least twice in three of their four World Cup knockout games. Argentina conceded twice against Cape Verde, Egypt and England, so La Roja should be able to score more than once in Sunday’s showpiece.

Guayaquil have scored at least twice in three of their last five games and in back-to-back home games, while Manta have shipped 11 goals in total across their last four away league fixtures.

Independiente del Valle are 12 points clear at the top of the table and have netted a league-high 43 goals. They have scored at least three in each of their last four league games and face an Emelec side with just one win from their last five on the road.

Both teams have scored in four of Guayaquil City’s last five Ecuador Liga Pro fixtures and Manta have seen goals at both ends in three of their last four league away days.

Independiente del Valle are 12 points clear at the top of the table and have netted a league-high 43 goals. They have scored at least three in each of their last four league games and face an Emelec side with just one win from their last five on the road.

Kylian Mbappe finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and he scored five goals in four games during qualifying. France are among the tournament favourites and are likely to reach the latter stages and they will face Iraq, Senegal and Norway in the group stages, so Mbappe may be able to score a few goals in the earlier rounds.

Spain are the current favourites and seem set for a deep run at the World Cup. La Roja also have a kind draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia joining them in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona in 28 games and is among the contenders to top the World Cup 2026 scoring charts.

Lamine Yamal is the most exciting attacking talent in a strong Spain side and he has a habit of scoring eye-catching goals, those attributes can be key in deciding where the player of the tournament award ends up.

Erling Haaland had 16 goals in eight games over qualifying and enjoyed another excellent season domestically with 38 goals across all competitions. Haaland’s Norway face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage and he could reach four goals in those three games alone.

Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign. European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago. There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.

Both teams have scored in five of Elfsborg’s last six league games and they are yet to draw a blank at home this season. Sirius are the league leaders and have scored in all 12 of their games, hitting 33 goals in total, but they have conceded in four of their last five away games – shipping seven goals in total across that period.

BK Hacken have scored and conceded in both of their last two games, shipping eight goals in total. They are coming up against a Halmstad side that have scored in each of their last five home games so goals at both ends are expected.

Nordic United have scored in all seven of their home league games but have kept just one clean sheet during that run. Orebreo have gone seven games without a clean sheet and have failed to score in just one of their last eight competitive games, so goals at both ends are expected.

Varnamo are on a six-game losing streak and they’ve only scored two goals during that period, Ljungskile are unbeaten in four and picked up a win over Orebro last time out. The visitors can come away with the points and boost their own survival chances by beating a direct rival.

Hammarby have won back-to-back games after the summer break and have two clean sheets in their last four home games. Degerfors have lost back-to-back games without scoring and could draw another blank here.

BK Hacken have not won at Halmstad’s Orjans Vall since 2017 and have failed to win four of their last five away trips, losing to second-bottom Orgryte last weekend. The hosts may be struggling but they have avoided defeat in three of their last five home league games.

Aucas sit second in the standings and are unbeaten in their last three away games, with two wins. The visitors can claim maximum points at out-of-sorts Tecnico, who have lost their last two games without scoring.

Elfsborg have lost back-to-back games since the summer break while Sirius have won six of their last seven away league matches with both teams scoring in five. Sirius have scored exactly three goals in five of their last seven league and cup trips while Elfsborg have not kept a clean sheet in their last six Allsvenskan matches. Back the visitors to win 3-1 because Elfsborg have scored in all seven of their home league matches this term.

Hammarby should win fairly comfortably, but with a two-legged Europa League qualifying tie against Anderlecht on the horizon, they could take their foot off the gas if they sense that a 2-0 lead is insurmountable from a visiting side that has failed to score in their last two games.

Elfsborg have lost back-to-back games since the summer break while Sirius have won six of their last seven away league matches with both teams scoring in five.

Hammarby have won back-to-back games after the summer break with under 3.5 goals in each. Meanwhile, Degerfors have lost three of their last four league games and fewer than four goals have been scored in 10 of their 12 Allsvenskan games in 2026.

BK Hacken have not won at Halmstad’s Orjans Vall since 2017 and have failed to win four of their last five away trips, losing to second-bottom Orgryte last weekend. The hosts may be struggling but they have avoided defeat in three of their last five home league games.

Elfsborg have lost back-to-back games since the summer break while Sirius have won six of their last seven away league matches with both teams scoring in five.

Guayaquil have scored at least twice in three of their last five games and in back-to-back home games, while Manta have shipped 11 goals in total across their last four away league fixtures.

Spain have won all of their knockout games and have a reliable defence that has conceded just one goal over the course of the tournament. Argentina have shown a remarkable will to win as they have been dragged into extra time twice and have had to come from behind twice during the knockout stages, but their luck may well run out against this well drilled Spanish outfit and the Europeans look capable of winning inside 90 minutes.

Aucas sit second in the standings and are unbeaten in their last three away games, with two wins. The visitors can claim maximum points at out-of-sorts Tecnico, who have lost their last two games without scoring.

Elfsborg have lost back-to-back games since the summer break while Sirius have won six of their last seven away league matches with both teams scoring in five.