Spain vs. Argentina history: Head-to-head matches at World Cup, last meeting, team records and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Spain and Argentina meet in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey on Sunday, with the sport’s biggest prize on the line.
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Spain are bidding to become world champions for a second time after their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010, while Argentina have the opportunity to retain the trophy they lifted in Qatar four years ago.
Both nations have produced some of the greatest players and teams the game has ever seen, but despite decades among international soccer’s elite, meetings between Spain and Argentina have been surprisingly rare.
Their only previous FIFA World Cup encounter came 60 years ago, while a series of memorable friendlies has featured some of the biggest stars in history.
Here is everything you need to know about the history between Spain and Argentina, including their head-to-head record, previous World Cup meetings and most recent encounter.
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This will be the second FIFA World Cup meeting between Spain and Argentina and the first ever in a World Cup final.
The nations first crossed paths on soccer’s biggest stage at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, when Argentina claimed a 2-1 victory at Villa Park in Birmingham.
Although they have shared the field only once at the World Cup, Spain and Argentina have regularly met in high-profile international friendlies, with both nations enjoying periods of dominance and producing some of the greatest players in the history of the game.
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Argentina edge first World Cup meeting
Spain travelled to England for the 1966 World Cup as reigning European champions after lifting the European Nations’ Cup two years earlier. However, their campaign got off to a disappointing start with defeat to Argentina in their second group match.
Luis Artime scored twice for La Albiceleste before Jose Pirri pulled one back for Spain, but Argentina held on for a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.
The result proved decisive. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals before eventually losing to hosts England, while Spain were eliminated in the group stage after winning just one of their three matches.
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Spain’s golden generation announces itself
More than four decades later, the teams met shortly before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with Spain firmly established as the world’s leading side after winning UEFA Euro 2008.
Xabi Alonso scored both goals in a 2-1 victory in Madrid, with Lionel Messi replying from the penalty spot for Argentina. Spain would go on to win their first World Cup less than a year later, cementing one of international soccer’s greatest eras.
Argentina hit back before Spain’s biggest win
Argentina responded in style when the teams met again just two months after Spain lifted the World Cup trophy, recording a 4-1 victory in Buenos Aires through goals from Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.
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However, the most recent meeting produced the biggest result in the history of the fixture. Spain overwhelmed Argentina 6-1 in Madrid in March 2018, with Isco scoring a hat-trick and Diego Costa, Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas also finding the net.
Messi missed the match through injury as Spain recorded their biggest-ever victory over Argentina heading into the 2018 World Cup.
Spain vs. Argentina head-to-head
There is little to separate Spain and Argentina in the all-time head-to-head record, with both nations winning six of their 14 previous meetings.
The remaining two matches have ended in draws, with neither side ever prevailing over the other in a penalty shootout.
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The teams have met only once before at the FIFA World Cup, when Argentina claimed a 2-1 victory during the group stage in 1966. Since then, every meeting has come in an international friendly.
Spain vs. Argentina: Last five meetings
| Date | Competition | Result | Spain goalscorers | Argentina goalscorers |
| March 27, 2018 | International Friendly | Spain 6-1 Argentina | Diego Costa (12′), Isco (27′, 52′, 74′), Thiago Alcantara (55′), Iago Aspas (73′) | Nicolas Otamendi (39′) |
| September 7, 2010 | International Friendly | Argentina 4-1 Spain | Fernando Llorente (84′) | Lionel Messi (10′), Gonzalo Higuain (13′), Carlos Tevez (34′), Sergio Aguero (90′) |
| November 14, 2009 | International Friendly | Spain 2-1 Argentina | Xabi Alonso (16′, 86′ p) | Lionel Messi (61′ p) |
| October 11, 2006 | International Friendly | Spain 2-1 Argentina | Xavi (33′), David Villa (63′ p) | Daniel Bilos (34′) |
| November 17, 1999 | International Friendly | Spain 0-2 Argentina | — | Kily Gonzalez (40′), Mauricio Pochettino (76′) |
Last Spain vs. Argentina match
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be the first meeting between Spain and Argentina in more than eight years.
The teams most recently met in an international friendly at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on March 27, 2018, as both nations prepared for that summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Diego Costa gave Spain an early lead before Isco doubled the hosts’ advantage. Nicolas Otamendi pulled a goal back for Argentina before halftime, but Spain dominated the second half as Isco completed his hat-trick and Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas added further goals in a resounding 6-1 victory.
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Messi missed the match through injury, as Spain handed Argentina their heaviest defeat for 60 years ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
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