Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6 Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant. According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle. ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21. If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt. Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

Deadspin | Reports: Rockets not expecting Kevin Durant to play in Game 6
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.

ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

Sports news April 30, 2026

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) as he drives to the basket during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

If the Rockets force a Game 7 with a third consecutive win in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston will have to get there without Kevin Durant.

According to multiple reports, Durant is down for a fourth game in a row and unavailable for Friday’s game in Houston. The Rockets fell behind 3-0 in the series but have won back-to-back games. Durant has played only 41 minutes in the series — all in Game 2 — when he suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle.

ESPN reported Durant is unlikely to play for two weeks while recovering from the injury suffered on April 21.

If the Rockets take Game 6 on Friday night, Game 7 in Los Angeles would be played Sunday, 12 days after Durant was first hurt.

Durant, 37, averaged 26 points per game in the regular season.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Reports #Rockets #expecting #Kevin #Durant #play #Game

Barcelona can clinch second straight La Liga title this weekend if Madrid slips against Espanyol <div id="content-body-70924459" itemprop="articleBody">Barcelona could clinch a second straight La Liga title this weekend if it beats Osasuna and Real Madrid drops points against Espanyol.Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games left. If Hansi Flick’s side wins at Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also beat Espanyol on Sunday to keep the title race alive for at least one more round.If everything goes Barcelona’s way, it will host Real Madrid in the Clasico in the following round as the newly crowned champion.Flick is on the cusp of a third major title in two years at Barcelona, including the 2025 Copa del Rey, while Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy.Barcelona has been running away with the domestic title race. It has won nine straight matches in La Liga, with its only recent setback coming against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy outing in Pamplona.Ninth-placed Osasuna has lost only twice at El Sadar this season and is unbeaten in its last 10 home matches.ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/ashley-young-announces-retirement-end-of-season-england-club-career-highlights-premier-league-titles/article70924217.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ashley Young to retire at the end of the season</a>Madrid, meanwhile, has won only one of its last six matches across all competitions as it limps towards the end of a disappointing season. Xabi Alonso has already been dismissed and, barring a drastic turn of events, Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to leave in the off-season.Espanyol has been in an even deeper rut than Madrid.It was fifth at the start of 2026 but is yet to win this year, enduring a 16-match winless run that has dragged it into the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.Atletico Madrid plays at Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visits Arsenal next week, with its Champions League semifinal finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw.Published on Apr 30, 2026</div> #Barcelona #clinch #straight #Liga #title #weekend #Madrid #slips #Espanyol

Malvinas, Maradona and Messi: Argentina draws strength from past and present to defeat England By breakfast, the World Cup semifinal had already begun. Hotel lobbies, elevators and street corners around downtown had become meeting points for two of football’s most passionate travelling nations. Argentinians, draped in sky blue and white, cradled their morning mate long before the first beer found its way into their hands. England supporters, wrapped in the white of the Three Lions, preferred to begin the day at the nearest pub, where breakfast arrived mostly in liquid form.They exchanged smiles, songs and the occasional jab, but beneath the banter was the unmistakable tension that only England against Argentina can summon. This was never just another World Cup semifinal. It was a rivalry that had travelled from Antonio Rattín to Diego Maradona, from David Beckham to Lionel Messi, and was now in Atlanta for the latest battle.Match Report –Argentina beats England to reach finalArgentina appeared to understand the emotional assignment from the opening whistle. There was an extra spring in every stride and greater force in every collision. Its players clattered into challenges, chased lost causes and celebrated tackles.More than four decades have passed since the Falklands War, but in Argentina, the islands remain Las Malvinas, part of a national wound that has never completely healed. The 1982 conflict lasted from April 2 to June 14 and ended with Argentina’s surrender. Six hundred and forty-nine Argentine servicemen, 255 British personnel and three civilians were killed.The dispute has endured across politics, public memory and football. For many Argentinians, an encounter with England cannot be separated entirely from the young men who left for the South Atlantic and never returned.Maradona understood that instinctively. Four years after the war, he scored twice against England at the Azteca, first with the Hand of God and then with perhaps the greatest goal the World Cup has ever witnessed. Maradona would later describe the victory as revenge. For Argentina, those four minutes in 1986 are more than sporting history. They became part of the country’s mythology. Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Maradona’s image has appeared across stadiums in the United States, along with those of Messi, the heir who eventually delivered the trophy Diego had once lifted. His name has been sung from Dallas to Atlanta, invoked not as a distant memory but as a continuing presence.After Argentina’s dramatic victory over Egypt in the round of 16, the players sang and danced in their dressing room to La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star), the anthem that has followed the team through its title defence.“I’m Argentine from the cradle to the grave,For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last one,Argentina, I want to see you become champions again.”The words place the Malvinas, Maradona and Messi within the same national story, where sacrifice, memory and football are intertwined.On Wednesday, Argentina played as though it all still mattered.And when the victory was finally secured, there was a connection between the past and present. Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi unfurled a banner reading: “ Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, or “The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are Argentine.”It was neither an incidental gesture nor an improvised celebration. It was a message delivered after England was defeated again.Long after the final whistle, Argentina’s players and supporters remained united in celebration. The team stood facing the sky-blue-and-white end, singing and dancing with those who had followed it across cities, time zones and thousands of miles. Players drifted towards the tunnel only to return, lured back by another chorus from the stands.For Argentina, England has never been just another opponent. Forty-four years after the Falklands War and four decades after Maradona transformed this rivalry forever, another generation had carried that history into another World Cup final.Published on Jul 16, 2026 #Malvinas #Maradona #Messi #Argentina #draws #strength #present #defeat #England — Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

#Malvinas #Maradona #Messi #Argentina #draws #strength #present #defeat #England">

mwasimuddin125 0

By breakfast, the World Cup semifinal had already begun. Hotel lobbies, elevators and street corners around downtown had become meeting points for two of football’s most passionate travelling nations. Argentinians, draped in sky blue and white, cradled their morning mate long before the first beer found its way into their hands. England supporters, wrapped in the white of the Three Lions, preferred to begin the day at the nearest pub, where breakfast arrived mostly in liquid form.
They exchanged smiles, songs and the occasional jab, but beneath the banter was the unmistakable tension that only England against Argentina can summon. This was never just another World Cup semifinal. It was a rivalry that had travelled from Antonio Rattín to Diego Maradona, from David Beckham to Lionel Messi, and was now in Atlanta for the latest battle.
Match Report –Argentina beats England to reach final
Argentina appeared to understand the emotional assignment from the opening whistle. There was an extra spring in every stride and greater force in every collision. Its players clattered into challenges, chased lost causes and celebrated tackles.
More than four decades have passed since the Falklands War, but in Argentina, the islands remain Las Malvinas, part of a national wound that has never completely healed. The 1982 conflict lasted from April 2 to June 14 and ended with Argentina’s surrender. Six hundred and forty-nine Argentine servicemen, 255 British personnel and three civilians were killed.
The dispute has endured across politics, public memory and football. For many Argentinians, an encounter with England cannot be separated entirely from the young men who left for the South Atlantic and never returned.
Maradona understood that instinctively. Four years after the war, he scored twice against England at the Azteca, first with the Hand of God and then with perhaps the greatest goal the World Cup has ever witnessed. Maradona would later describe the victory as revenge. For Argentina, those four minutes in 1986 are more than sporting history. They became part of the country’s mythology.
Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Maradona’s image has appeared across stadiums in the United States, along with those of Messi, the heir who eventually delivered the trophy Diego had once lifted. His name has been sung from Dallas to Atlanta, invoked not as a distant memory but as a continuing presence.
After Argentina’s dramatic victory over Egypt in the round of 16, the players sang and danced in their dressing room to La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star), the anthem that has followed the team through its title defence.
“I’m Argentine from the cradle to the grave,
For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last one,
Argentina, I want to see you become champions again.”
The words place the Malvinas, Maradona and Messi within the same national story, where sacrifice, memory and football are intertwined.
On Wednesday, Argentina played as though it all still mattered.
And when the victory was finally secured, there was a connection between the past and present. Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi unfurled a banner reading: “ Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, or “The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are Argentine.”
It was neither an incidental gesture nor an improvised celebration. It was a message delivered after England was defeated again.
Long after the final whistle, Argentina’s players and supporters remained united in celebration. The team stood facing the sky-blue-and-white end, singing and dancing with those who had followed it across cities, time zones and thousands of miles. Players drifted towards the tunnel only to return, lured back by another chorus from the stands.
For Argentina, England has never been just another opponent. Forty-four years after the Falklands War and four decades after Maradona transformed this rivalry forever, another generation had carried that history into another World Cup final.
Published on Jul 16, 2026

#Malvinas #Maradona #Messi #Argentina #draws #strength #present #defeat #England">Malvinas, Maradona and Messi: Argentina draws strength from past and present to defeat England

By breakfast, the World Cup semifinal had already begun. Hotel lobbies, elevators and street corners around downtown had become meeting points for two of football’s most passionate travelling nations. Argentinians, draped in sky blue and white, cradled their morning mate long before the first beer found its way into their hands. England supporters, wrapped in the white of the Three Lions, preferred to begin the day at the nearest pub, where breakfast arrived mostly in liquid form.

They exchanged smiles, songs and the occasional jab, but beneath the banter was the unmistakable tension that only England against Argentina can summon. This was never just another World Cup semifinal. It was a rivalry that had travelled from Antonio Rattín to Diego Maradona, from David Beckham to Lionel Messi, and was now in Atlanta for the latest battle.

Match Report –Argentina beats England to reach final

Argentina appeared to understand the emotional assignment from the opening whistle. There was an extra spring in every stride and greater force in every collision. Its players clattered into challenges, chased lost causes and celebrated tackles.

More than four decades have passed since the Falklands War, but in Argentina, the islands remain Las Malvinas, part of a national wound that has never completely healed. The 1982 conflict lasted from April 2 to June 14 and ended with Argentina’s surrender. Six hundred and forty-nine Argentine servicemen, 255 British personnel and three civilians were killed.

The dispute has endured across politics, public memory and football. For many Argentinians, an encounter with England cannot be separated entirely from the young men who left for the South Atlantic and never returned.

Maradona understood that instinctively. Four years after the war, he scored twice against England at the Azteca, first with the Hand of God and then with perhaps the greatest goal the World Cup has ever witnessed. Maradona would later describe the victory as revenge. For Argentina, those four minutes in 1986 are more than sporting history. They became part of the country’s mythology.

Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Maradona gave Argentina one of football’s defining moments. Messi ensured the story would continue, not as a replay but as another chapter. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Maradona’s image has appeared across stadiums in the United States, along with those of Messi, the heir who eventually delivered the trophy Diego had once lifted. His name has been sung from Dallas to Atlanta, invoked not as a distant memory but as a continuing presence.

After Argentina’s dramatic victory over Egypt in the round of 16, the players sang and danced in their dressing room to La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star), the anthem that has followed the team through its title defence.

“I’m Argentine from the cradle to the grave,

For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last one,

Argentina, I want to see you become champions again.”

The words place the Malvinas, Maradona and Messi within the same national story, where sacrifice, memory and football are intertwined.

On Wednesday, Argentina played as though it all still mattered.

And when the victory was finally secured, there was a connection between the past and present. Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Otamendi unfurled a banner reading: “ Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, or “The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are Argentine.”

It was neither an incidental gesture nor an improvised celebration. It was a message delivered after England was defeated again.

Long after the final whistle, Argentina’s players and supporters remained united in celebration. The team stood facing the sky-blue-and-white end, singing and dancing with those who had followed it across cities, time zones and thousands of miles. Players drifted towards the tunnel only to return, lured back by another chorus from the stands.

For Argentina, England has never been just another opponent. Forty-four years after the Falklands War and four decades after Maradona transformed this rivalry forever, another generation had carried that history into another World Cup final.

Published on Jul 16, 2026

#Malvinas #Maradona #Messi #Argentina #draws #strength #present #defeat #England

Deadspin | Hawks F Mouhamed Gueye breaks foot during workout Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday. Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season. For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24. The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout

#Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout"> $Deadspin | Hawks F Mouhamed Gueye breaks foot during workout Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday. Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season. For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24. The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout$

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$Deadspin | Hawks F Mouhamed Gueye breaks foot during workout Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday. Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season. For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24. The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout$ Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday.

Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season.

For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout">Deadspin | Hawks F Mouhamed Gueye breaks foot during workout

$Deadspin | Hawks F Mouhamed Gueye breaks foot during workout Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday. Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season. For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24. The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout$ Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fractured his left foot during a workout on July 8, the team announced Wednesday.

Gueye, 23, underwent surgery Tuesday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Atlanta to repair the fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four months, according to the Hawks, who start the preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Gueye played a career-high 77 games last regular season (eight starts) and averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.3 minutes as a reserve in six playoff games last season.

For his career, Gueye averages 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.4 minutes over 116 games (36 starts) since his rookie season of 2023-24.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Gueye in the second round (39th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Six days later, he was part of a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics that landed him in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hawks #Mouhamed #Gueye #breaks #foot #workout

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in last days, and the main event for the entire month-plus of action is about to begin. The final between Spain and Argentina is set to take place on Sunday afternoon, with hundreds of millions of eyeballs glued to TV screens as we crown another champion of the world.

There’s no shortage of drama or emotion when it comes to Spain and Argentina. We have what is likely to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, while Spain is looking to anoint Lamine Yamal as the next Messi for both Barcelona, and the national team. Let’s dive into what we think will happen in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Mark Schofield: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dominated by superstars. Erling Haaland became a household name here in the United States thanks to a captivating blend of personality and skill. Kylian Mbappé continued his run at the record books with a dazzling string of performances. Jude Bellingham vaulted England deep into the knockout rounds with a legendary stretch of play. Lionel Messi is, well, Lionel Messi.

But through it all, even though Spain has a few premier talents on their roster, what makes La Roja dangerous is they look like the best team.

This is a side that yes, has Lamine Yamal but it is Mikel Oyarzabal leading the way in the goal chase, as the Real Sociedad forward who leads Spain in goals. Their buildup play has been masterful — a staple of Spanish teams year-after-year — but they have found the quality in the final third that was perhaps most evident on their second goal against France, this beauty off the foot of Pedro Porro following a lovely touch from Dani Olmo:

This is also a side that still has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.

Now I know, Messi and Argentina look inevitable. The comeback against Egypt. The comeback against England. It feels like they are marching to yet another title, even if they have yet to play a perfect 90 minutes. If they do against Spain, they will be tough to beat.

But … consider Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish manager has just two losses during his tenure in charge. One was a loss to Portugal, on penalties, in the UEFA Nations League.

The other was a loss to Colombia in a friendly.

James Dator: There’s always a degree of emotion that comes into play when picking a game like this, but I have to put aside the romanticism of Argentina and just focus on what makes logical sense — which is the reality that Spain has been playing this tournament on an entirely other level.

If you went back in time to mid-June and said “Lamine Yamal won’t be that impactful in the World Cup” the consensus would widely be that Spain would get eliminated in either the Round of 16 or the quarter-finals. Instead, we’ve witnessed La Roja play a peerless game that has befuddled everyone they’ve played against thus far.

Look no further than what happened to France in the semi-finals. That was a team dripping with unbelievable scoring talent, and they were befuddled against the Spanish defense. I don’t buy that this was some mammoth collapse by France, as much as Spain had built an impenetrable wall that never lost its shape. Some of the best footballers in the world tried everything to generate chances, yet only managed to get four shots on target. If that’s all you can get with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé, well, I don’t like the chances of anyone else.

Even with Lamal not making an impact, the ever-present counterattack threat of Lamal going off freezes teams from taking risks. This plays directly into Spain’s strategy, and they will choke you out with the long game. It gives me pause whether Argentina can push the pace through their wing play and get the soft opportunities in the box that they were given late in the game against England. This is an entirely different beast to face, and I think Spain can run them out of the park.

#World #Cup #Final #instant #prediction #Spain #Argentina">

World Cup Final instant prediction for Spain vs. Argentina The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in last days, and the main event for the entire month-plus of action is about to begin. The final between Spain and Argentina is set to take place on Sunday afternoon, with hundreds of millions of eyeballs glued to TV screens as we crown another champion of the world.There’s no shortage of drama or emotion when it comes to Spain and Argentina. We have what is likely to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, while Spain is looking to anoint Lamine Yamal as the next Messi for both Barcelona, and the national team. Let’s dive into what we think will happen in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.Mark Schofield: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dominated by superstars. Erling Haaland became a household name here in the United States thanks to a captivating blend of personality and skill. Kylian Mbappé continued his run at the record books with a dazzling string of performances. Jude Bellingham vaulted England deep into the knockout rounds with a legendary stretch of play. Lionel Messi is, well, Lionel Messi.But through it all, even though Spain has a few premier talents on their roster, what makes La Roja dangerous is they look like the best team.This is a side that yes, has Lamine Yamal but it is Mikel Oyarzabal leading the way in the goal chase, as the Real Sociedad forward who leads Spain in goals. Their buildup play has been masterful — a staple of Spanish teams year-after-year — but they have found the quality in the final third that was perhaps most evident on their second goal against France, this beauty off the foot of Pedro Porro following a lovely touch from Dani Olmo:This is also a side that still has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.Now I know, Messi and Argentina look inevitable. The comeback against Egypt. The comeback against England. It feels like they are marching to yet another title, even if they have yet to play a perfect 90 minutes. If they do against Spain, they will be tough to beat.But … consider Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish manager has just two losses during his tenure in charge. One was a loss to Portugal, on penalties, in the UEFA Nations League.The other was a loss to Colombia in a friendly.James Dator: There’s always a degree of emotion that comes into play when picking a game like this, but I have to put aside the romanticism of Argentina and just focus on what makes logical sense — which is the reality that Spain has been playing this tournament on an entirely other level.If you went back in time to mid-June and said “Lamine Yamal won’t be that impactful in the World Cup” the consensus would widely be that Spain would get eliminated in either the Round of 16 or the quarter-finals. Instead, we’ve witnessed La Roja play a peerless game that has befuddled everyone they’ve played against thus far.Look no further than what happened to France in the semi-finals. That was a team dripping with unbelievable scoring talent, and they were befuddled against the Spanish defense. I don’t buy that this was some mammoth collapse by France, as much as Spain had built an impenetrable wall that never lost its shape. Some of the best footballers in the world tried everything to generate chances, yet only managed to get four shots on target. If that’s all you can get with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé, well, I don’t like the chances of anyone else.Even with Lamal not making an impact, the ever-present counterattack threat of Lamal going off freezes teams from taking risks. This plays directly into Spain’s strategy, and they will choke you out with the long game. It gives me pause whether Argentina can push the pace through their wing play and get the soft opportunities in the box that they were given late in the game against England. This is an entirely different beast to face, and I think Spain can run them out of the park. #World #Cup #Final #instant #prediction #Spain #Argentina

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in last days, and the main event for the entire month-plus of action is about to begin. The final between Spain and Argentina is set to take place on Sunday afternoon, with hundreds of millions of eyeballs glued to TV screens as we crown another champion of the world.
There’s no shortage of drama or emotion when it comes to Spain and Argentina. We have what is likely to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, while Spain is looking to anoint Lamine Yamal as the next Messi for both Barcelona, and the national team. Let’s dive into what we think will happen in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Mark Schofield: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dominated by superstars. Erling Haaland became a household name here in the United States thanks to a captivating blend of personality and skill. Kylian Mbappé continued his run at the record books with a dazzling string of performances. Jude Bellingham vaulted England deep into the knockout rounds with a legendary stretch of play. Lionel Messi is, well, Lionel Messi.
But through it all, even though Spain has a few premier talents on their roster, what makes La Roja dangerous is they look like the best team.
This is a side that yes, has Lamine Yamal but it is Mikel Oyarzabal leading the way in the goal chase, as the Real Sociedad forward who leads Spain in goals. Their buildup play has been masterful — a staple of Spanish teams year-after-year — but they have found the quality in the final third that was perhaps most evident on their second goal against France, this beauty off the foot of Pedro Porro following a lovely touch from Dani Olmo:
This is also a side that still has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.
Now I know, Messi and Argentina look inevitable. The comeback against Egypt. The comeback against England. It feels like they are marching to yet another title, even if they have yet to play a perfect 90 minutes. If they do against Spain, they will be tough to beat.
But … consider Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish manager has just two losses during his tenure in charge. One was a loss to Portugal, on penalties, in the UEFA Nations League.
The other was a loss to Colombia in a friendly.
James Dator: There’s always a degree of emotion that comes into play when picking a game like this, but I have to put aside the romanticism of Argentina and just focus on what makes logical sense — which is the reality that Spain has been playing this tournament on an entirely other level.
If you went back in time to mid-June and said “Lamine Yamal won’t be that impactful in the World Cup” the consensus would widely be that Spain would get eliminated in either the Round of 16 or the quarter-finals. Instead, we’ve witnessed La Roja play a peerless game that has befuddled everyone they’ve played against thus far.
Look no further than what happened to France in the semi-finals. That was a team dripping with unbelievable scoring talent, and they were befuddled against the Spanish defense. I don’t buy that this was some mammoth collapse by France, as much as Spain had built an impenetrable wall that never lost its shape. Some of the best footballers in the world tried everything to generate chances, yet only managed to get four shots on target. If that’s all you can get with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé, well, I don’t like the chances of anyone else.
Even with Lamal not making an impact, the ever-present counterattack threat of Lamal going off freezes teams from taking risks. This plays directly into Spain’s strategy, and they will choke you out with the long game. It gives me pause whether Argentina can push the pace through their wing play and get the soft opportunities in the box that they were given late in the game against England. This is an entirely different beast to face, and I think Spain can run them out of the park.

#World #Cup #Final #instant #prediction #Spain #Argentina">World Cup Final instant prediction for Spain vs. Argentina

But through it all, even though Spain has a few premier talents on their roster, what makes La Roja dangerous is they look like the best team.

This is also a side that still has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.

But … consider Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish manager has just two losses during his tenure in charge. One was a loss to Portugal, on penalties, in the UEFA Nations League.

The other was a loss to Colombia in a friendly.

#World #Cup #Final #instant #prediction #Spain #Argentina

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