Spain vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, others in 2026 World Cup final

Jul 19, 2026 - 19:50

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Spain vs. Argentina player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, others in 2026 World Cup final originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — By the end of the match on Sunday, the 2026 World Cup champion will be crowned as Spain takes on Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium.

At 39 years old, Lionel Messi goes for his second straight World Cup title after triumphing in iconic fashion four years ago in Qatar.

He will face off against 18-year-old Lamine Yamal of Spain, who is considered his protegee at Barcelona, having come through the La Masia academy and blossomed into a global superstar despite his young age.

The Sporting News brings you a full list of live player ratings for the match, analyzing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

LIVE:Follow Spain vs. Argentina updates from 2026 World Cup final

Spain vs. Argentina live score

Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Referee: Slavko Vincic (SLV)

Starting lineups:

Spain (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. U. Simon (GK) — 12. P. Porro, 22. P. Cubarsi, 14. A. Laporte, 24. M. Cucurella — 16. Rodri, 8. F. Ruiz — 19. Lamine Yamal, 10. D. Olmo, 15. A. Baena — 21. M. Oyarzabal.

Argentina (4-4-2, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina, 13. C. Romero, 6. Li. Martinez, 3. N. Tagliafico — 7. R. De Paul, 20. A. Mac Allister, 24. E. Fernandez, 15. N. Gonzalez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez

Spain player ratings vs. Argentina

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon — Grade pending

Unai Simon has been steady at the back for Spain, but has struggled throughout the tournament with distribution in possession, especially long.

Had a nervy moment early on when he came miles out of his goal to stop Lionel Messi from getting out on the counter. He cleared it right to an Argentina player, but it just about did the job.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Pedro Porro — Grade pending

Tottenham full-back Pedro Porro has been one of the standout players not only on Spain, but of the entire World Cup this summer.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: Pau Cubarsi — Grade pending

One of the best young players in the world, La Masia product Pau Cubarsi excels on the ball as a passer at the base of Spain's buildup, and also defending at pace as part of Spain's high line.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: Aymeric Laporte — Grade pending

While Pau Cubarsi does most of the possessional work at the back for Spain, Aymeric Laporte has been one of the best defenders at the World Cup this summer.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella — Grade pending

Having recently signed for Real Madrid, Marc Cucurella provides exceptional attacking width on the left, often overlapping with Alex Baena.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Rodri — Grade pending

After needing time to regain his full strength after tearing his ACL, former Ballon d'Or winner Rodri now appears to be back to his best.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Fabian Ruiz — Grade pending

Fabian Ruiz has taken over in midfield for Pedri over the past two games, and has been exceptional, scoring against Belgium and dominating the center of the pitch against France.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right winger: Lamine Yamal — Grade pending

One of the world's biggest superstars at only 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has had a quiet World Cup as he works back to full fitness from a hamstring injury within this possession-oriented Spain system.

As usual, was an obvious focal point of the Spain attack early and often. Had an early chance inside the opening 10 minutes but it was saved well by Emi Martinez at his near post. Wow'd the crowd with a delicious first touch bringing down a Pedro Porro long ball in the 17th minute.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Attacking midfielder: Dani Olmo — Grade pending

Dani Olmo has been one of the keys to this Spain team at the World Cup this summer, playing a No. 10 role where he has multiple responsibilities both in and out of possession.

He was heavily involved for Spain early on, and nearly created the opening goal for Lamine Yamal just four minutes in.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left winger: Alex Baena — Grade pending

With Nico Williams not fully fit, Alex Baena has been the consistent starter on the left for Spain at the World Cup. While he hasn't provided the same attacking threat, he has fit very well in this Luis de la Fuente system.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Striker: Mikel Oyarzabal — Grade pending

One of the most unorthodox strikers in international football right now, Mikel Oyarzabal plays more like a midfielder than he does a striker. He drops deep into the middle of the pitch often, adding to Spain's overload in the middle.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Spain substitutes vs. Argentina

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

Spain coach vs. Argentina

Luis de la Fuente: Grade pending

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.

MORE WORLD CUP FINAL NEWS:

Argentina player ratings vs. Spain

Starters

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez — Grade pending

Argentina's mercurial goalkeeper Emi Martinez is back in the World Cup final after his iconic save on Randal Kolo Muani four years ago in Qatar.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right-back: Nahuel Molina — Grade pending

Even as he was beaten by Morgan Rogers for the England goal, Nahuel Molina has been tenacious for Argentina so far this World Cup.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right center-back: Cristian Romero — Grade pending

Tottenham center-back Cristian Romero has been an absolute rock at the back for Argentina this summer, proving himself a defensive monster under Lionel Scaloni.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — Grade pending

Argentina's on-ball foil to Cristian Romero is Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, whose defending has been shaky at times this summer but is strong in possession.

He was extremely sharp early on while defending on Lamine Yamal's side of the field. He was on point to make tackles, block crosses, and generally clog passing lanes.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — Grade pending

Argentina veteran Nicolas Tagliafico will have his hands full defending Lamine Yamal against Spain in the World Cup final.

Defended Lamine Yamal quite well early on, with lots of help from Nico Gonzalez. Probably lucky to get away with a yellow card-worthy foul on the Spain youngster in the 30th minute but was allowed to get away with it. His physical play kept a lid on things down the Spain right flank through much of the first half.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Defensive midfielder: Leandro Paredes — Grade pending

Argentina's enforcer at the base of midfield is Leandro Paredes.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right midfielder: Rodrigo De Paul — Grade pending

Benched against England, Rodrigo De Paul helped change the game late in the semifinals and has been reinserted into the starting XI by Lionel Scaloni.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — Grade pending

Roaming throughout the middle of the pitch and occasionally making runs into the penalty area, Alexis Mac Allister has revived himself from a difficult season at Liverpool to be a reliable and versatile player at the World Cup.

Was very active the first 20 minutes, cropping up all over the pitch breaking up Spain possession and making life difficult for Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Pedro Porro, and Lamine Yamal.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left midfielder: Nico Gonzalez — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Attacking midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — Grade pending

Enzo Fernandez had struggled for most of the World Cup until he cropped up with a career-defining goal in the semifinals against England.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Right forward: Lionel Messi — Grade pending

The greatest player of all-time has been nothing short of electric at the World Cup, willing his team back from the brink on multiple occasions.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Left forward: Julian Alvarez — Grade pending

Julian Alvarez has been a strong compliment to Lionel Messi this summer, providing energy, hold-up play, passing, and creativity as well as a goal scoring threat of his own.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.

Argentina substitutes vs. Spain

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.

Argentina coach vs. Spain

Lionel Scaloni: 8

This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.