Spain's players would rather face Argentina than England in the World Cup final, according to Spanish football correspondent Juanfe Sanz of El Chiringuito. Spain secured their spot with a 2-0 win over France in the semi-final on Tuesday, while England and Argentina meet on Wednesday in Atlanta to decide who will play Spain on Sunday at 8pm BST.
Clear preference in the dressing room
Speaking after Spain's victory, Sanz said: 'I want Argentina in the final. I don't even want to see England. It's crystal clear – they don't want a final against England, they want Argentina.' He added that the players' sentiment mirrors fan polls from shows like El Chiringuito, which have reached the dressing room.
Motivation beyond the game
Sanz cited Argentine press comments and a cancelled friendly (the 'Finalissima' that never happened) as fueling Spain's desire. 'They accused us of pulling out because we were afraid of them. Well, the moment has arrived,' he said. He even joked about hoping for a 377-minute extra time in the Argentina-England semi-final, saying he would celebrate a penalty shootout win for Argentina.
Coach's diplomatic stance
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente took a more neutral view. 'We're not in a position to have preferences,' he said after the France win. 'I'm excited to face Argentina because of my friendship with Lionel Scaloni, but I have a lot of respect for England's footballing potential. It's going to be a close match between two major teams, but we welcome them with open arms.'
Historical context
A final against England would offer Spain a chance to repeat their 2024 European Championship final victory over the same opponent. However, the Spanish camp appears more focused on Argentina, a team that has never faced Spain in a World Cup final. The match would also pit De la Fuente against his friend Scaloni, adding a personal subplot.
