Spain Coach Warns Referee 'Don't Let Argentina Break Rules' Ahead of Final

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente urged the World Cup final referee to strictly enforce the rules to prevent Argentina from using questionable tactics in the match officiated by Slavko Vincic. This final is especially notable as it could mark Lionel Messi’s last World Cup appearance and features two top teams with contrasting styles and high stakes.

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente has urged the referee for Sunday’s World Cup final to maintain strict enforcement of the rules, warning against allowing Argentina to exploit the match through questionable tactics. The final is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic will officiate. Vincic previously refereed Argentina’s unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia during the 2022 tournament, a match that featured several controversial decisions criticized as favoring Saudi Arabia.

Following Argentina’s semi-final victory over England, which stirred debate over their style of play, De la Fuente emphasized the importance of adherence to the laws of the game. “The referee cannot act passively and allow the rules to be broken,” De la Fuente said, underlining the necessity of upholding “those lines of footballing legality.” While expressing confidence in the refereeing, he stressed that Spain must remain focused on executing their own game plan without succumbing to provocations.

Spain intends to stick to its football philosophy and avoid distractions, with De la Fuente noting the team’s comfort in maintaining discipline and their style. “If we stray from our philosophy and our model, we will suffer,” he said, signaling a commitment to composure amid the stakes of the World Cup final.

The match carries special significance for Argentina star Lionel Messi, who is expected to play his final World Cup appearance at age 39. Currently, Messi leads the tournament’s all-time scoring chart with 21 goals, one ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe, who is competing for third place on Saturday. De la Fuente reflected on a past encounter with Messi from his time coaching Sevilla’s youth teams, recounting how an early card led to a quick goal spree against his side.

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni, preparing to potentially become the first manager since Vittorio Pozzo to win consecutive World Cups, expressed deep respect for Spain’s capabilities. “If Spain leaves the hotel, I am already concerned,” Scaloni said, highlighting the quality of the European champions and the challenges they pose. “Everything concerns me about Spain,” he added, acknowledging the formidable opposition his team will face in the final.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.