FIFA Men's World Cup

Spain vs. Argentina History: All Head to Head Matches Between the World Cup Finalists

19 Jul 2026, 12:55 · FOX Sports

Spain and Argentina meet today for the World Cup Final, and the two nations already know each other well. They've played 14 times since 1952, splitting the series evenly, with only one meeting ever coming at a World Cup. Here's every match between the two finalists.

Spain vs. Argentina History

Dec. 7, 1952 (Madrid): Argentina 1, Spain 0 — International friendly
July 5, 1953 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 1, Spain 0 — International friendly
July 24, 1960 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 2, Spain 0 — International friendly
June 11, 1961 (Seville): Spain 2, Argentina 0 — International friendly
July 13, 1966 (Birmingham, England): Argentina 2, Spain 1 — 1966 FIFA World Cup group stage
Oct. 11, 1972 (Spain): Spain 1, Argentina 0 — Copa Hispanidad
Oct. 12, 1974 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 1, Spain 1 — Copa Hispanidad
Oct. 12, 1988 (Seville): Spain 1, Argentina 1 — International friendly (Copa RFEF)
Sept. 20, 1995 (Spain): Spain 2, Argentina 1 — International friendly
Nov. 17, 1999 (Spain): Argentina 2, Spain 0 — International friendly
Oct. 11, 2006 (Spain): Spain 2, Argentina 1 — International friendly
Nov. 14, 2009 (Spain): Spain 2, Argentina 1 — International friendly
Sept. 7, 2010 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 4, Spain 1 — International friendly
March 27, 2018 (Madrid): Spain 6, Argentina 1 — International friendly

Today's World Cup final will be the 15th meeting between the two countries, and the first since that 2018 friendly. Spain and Argentina enter with six wins apiece and two draws.

The Matches Everyone Remembers

1966: Their Only World Cup Meeting, Until Today

Luis Artime scored twice as Argentina beat Spain, 2-1, in the group stage at Villa Park in Birmingham. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals. Spain went home. It's the only time the two nations had met at a World Cup before today.

2010: Argentina's Answer

Months after Spain won its first World Cup, Argentina delivered a statement in Buenos Aires, routing the new champions, 4-1, in a rowdy friendly that showed the rivalry still had teeth even without a trophy on the line.

2018: The 6-1 Rout

Isco scored a hat trick and Spain humiliated an Argentina side missing an injured Lionel Messi, 6-1, at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Nicolás Otamendi's header was the only answer Argentina had all night. It remains the most lopsided result in the series and the last time the two teams played before today.

World Cup Related Stories

Why Lionel Messi vs. Lamine Yamal Makes the World Cup Final A Must-Watch

Spain vs. Argentina: 4 Key Storylines For The 2026 World Cup Final

Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi As Spain-Argentina Set Up World Cup Final

What's Next

Spain and Argentina play today, Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET at New York New Jersey Stadium, with the World Cup on the line. The match airs on FOX, streaming live and on demand on FOX One.

recommended

Item 1 of 3