Spain enters the World Cup final maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak of 37 matches in 90-minute play, dating back to a friendly loss against Colombia on March 22, 2022. Their path to the final has been marked by solid defensive performances and growing offensive coherence, culminating in a commanding display against France. Aside from a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, Spain’s goal-scoring impact had been more muted compared to other tournament favorites such as France and Argentina, but their defense has clearly set them apart, conceding only once throughout the competition—in the quarter-finals against Belgium.

The Spanish squad’s tactical approach benefits from attacking fullbacks who effectively stretch opposing defenses, combined with a calm, possession-based style that allows them to maintain control high up the pitch. In midfield, Rodri and Fabián Ruiz have been central to dictating the team’s rhythm, providing stability and creative impetus in equal measure. This balance has been a key factor in Spain’s consistent improvement over the course of the tournament.

Historically, Spain’s encounters with both England and Argentina offer intriguing context heading into the final. Spain last faced England in the Euro 2024 final held in Berlin, a match they narrowly won through a late goal by Mikel Oyarzabal to secure their fourth European Championship. Prior meetings include a 2018 UEFA Nations League fixture where England led 3-0 at halftime before Spain’s second-half resurgence closed the gap, but England ultimately held on for a 3-2 victory. Notably, England has never scored against Spain in World Cup competition. Their most recent World Cup meeting was in 1982, which ended 0-0 in Madrid.

Against Argentina, Spain’s record is evenly balanced with six wins, six losses, and two draws across 14 encounters. The two sides met once before in the World Cup, in 1966, when Argentina claimed a 2-1 victory. More recently, Spain defeated Argentina 6-1 in a 2018 friendly in Madrid, though key figures like Lionel Messi were absent from that match. Previous friendlies between the nations have seen dominant performances from both sides, with Messi having scored in multiple meetings.

Spain’s World Cup history has been defined by their golden generation, who secured the country’s only tournament title in 2010 with a team featuring Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. They captured two European Championships around that period as well. Since then, Spain has struggled to replicate that success on football’s biggest stage, exiting in the group phase in 2014 and falling in the Round of 16 during the subsequent two tournaments. This current squad, however, appears poised to reclaim a place among the sport’s elite as they contest their first World Cup final in over a decade.