Basque Country tactics vs La Nuestra; MetLife Stadium all set for FIFA World Cup final

NEWYORK: Basque Country tactics will meet "La Nuestra" style at MetLife in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this Sunday. Defending champions Argentina and former champions Spain will come head-to-head in what is expected to be an intense clash. Argentina marched into the final of their second consecutive World Cup after coming from behind to beat England last night with two goals in the final seven minutes. Spain defeated France in the semi-finals by putting out a totally dominant performance.

The impregnable name in world football, Lionel Messi, and the legend in the making, Lamine Yamal, will face each other on the grandest stage this Sunday. Leandro Paredes, McAllister, Molina, Simeone, Lautaro Martinez, Tagliafico and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez are all lined up behind Messi with the same spirit. The Spanish captain is midfielder Rodri, the best player in the last European Cup and a Ballon d'Or winner. The Spanish team also includes warhorses such as Michael Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Cucarella, Michael Merino, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Fabian Ruiz.

A picture of Lionel Messi bathing one-year-old Lamine Yamal for a photo shoot in 2007 went viral after Spain and Argentina reached the World Cup final. Messi, who was then a star for Spanish club Barcelona, ​​bathed the baby Yamal during a photo shoot held in conjunction with a UNICEF event. The boy later became Messi's successor at the Barcelona club. The Barcelona leadership, once carried by Messi, is now on Yamal's shoulders.

• Argentina and Spain have only met once in World Cup history. That time, Argentina won 2-1 in the group stage.

• The reigning European Cup winners and Copa America champions will meet in the World Cup final for the first time.

• Messi is playing in his third World Cup final. This is Yamal’s first World Cup.