Argentina is set to face Colombia on Tuesday in the World Cup Qualifiers, and the stakes are high. In a recent media briefing, the Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni disclosed a possible date for the much-anticipated Finalissima against Spain. This news follows Spain‘s recent setback in the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal in 2025.
The reigning champions of the European and South American confederations are poised to clash in an official contest to compete for the prestigious Finalissima trophy. Following the inaugural edition, where Argentina faced off against Italy, anticipation is building for the highly-anticipated showdown between “La Albiceleste” and Spain, which is expected to take place soon.
However, several factors must be considered before the Finalissima can occur. Scaloni disclosed these considerations in a press conference ahead of Argentina’s matchup against Colombia. He provided insights into the logistics surrounding the game against the Spanish side and suggested a potential date for the eagerly awaited fixture.
“The Finalissima can’t occur this year. If Spain doesn’t have to compete in a playoff, there’s a possibility it could be scheduled for March 2026, though I’m uncertain if March is the optimal time. Ultimately, the decision is out of our hands,” Scaloni stated on Monday as preparations for the clash with Colombia intensify.
Spain vs. Argentina: A historic rivalry
Despite not being widely recognized as rivals in major competitions like the FIFA World Cup or other international tournaments, Spain and Argentina have faced each other 14 times historically. Of these encounters, 13 were friendly matches. The sole official face-off occurred during the 1966 World Cup Group Stage in England, where Argentina edged out Spain with a 2-1 victory.
Out of their total matchups, Argentina has claimed victory five times, while Spain has emerged victorious six times, leaving two matches drawn. Historically, encounters prior to 2010 rarely produced high-scoring results. However, in their two most recent games, we witnessed a surge in goal tallies. The most recent clash in 2018 saw Spain decisively defeat Argentina with a 6-1 scoreline, marking one of the highest-scoring matches between the teams.