On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps England and France’s record-setting third-place match before delivering a full preview of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and defending champion Argentina.
The show opens with England’s 6-4 victory over France in the highest-scoring third-place game in World Cup history. England scores 4 times before halftime behind Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and 2 goals from Bukayo Saka. France responds after the break through Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, but Saka completes his hat trick from the penalty spot before Jude Bellingham closes the scoring.
England finishes third at a men’s World Cup for the first time and records its best tournament result since winning in 1966. The game also concludes Didier Deschamps’ 14-year run as France manager after a tenure that included the 2018 World Cup title and another final appearance in 2022.
Mbappé’s 2 goals move him to 10 for the tournament and 22 across his World Cup career, taking him past Lionel Messi as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. Mbappé also strengthens his position in the Golden Boot race, while Michael Olise finishes the tournament with a reported single-World Cup record of 7 assists.
Attention then turns to the World Cup final in New York–New Jersey. Argentina is attempting to become the first country since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive men’s World Cups. Spain is seeking its second championship and first since 2010.
Chris compares the tournament’s leading attack with its best defense. Argentina enters with 19 goals and 7 wins, while Spain has conceded only once during an unbeaten run through the competition. Spain also carries a 37-match unbeaten streak, while Argentina has won 14 consecutive matches and remains undefeated across its last 13 World Cup games.
The tactical preview focuses on Spain’s possession, width and defensive control. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams provide direct threats from wide areas, Mikel Oyarzabal creates movement through the middle and Spain’s midfield continually changes the angle of attack. Spain has allowed very few quality scoring chances throughout the tournament, making Argentina’s challenge considerably more difficult than simply finding a way to contain the ball.
Argentina will look to make the final less structured. Lionel Scaloni’s team needs transitions, second balls and moments in which Messi can receive possession before Spain establishes its defensive shape. Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández are highlighted as potential secondary threats around Messi.
Chris also breaks down the latest markets from oddsmakers, including regulation and championship prices, anytime goalscorer options, the 2-goal total and both-teams-to-score markets. Messi enters with 8 goals and 4 assists, while Oyarzabal and Yamal are among Spain’s leading attacking candidates.
The episode closes by examining the importance of the opening goal, Spain’s ability to apply steady pressure and Argentina’s record of creating decisive moments. Messi against Yamal provides the headline image, but the final may ultimately be determined by midfield control, second balls, defensive mistakes and the impact of each bench.
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