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Spain have plotted an imperious march to the 2026 World Cup final on the back of a superb defensive effort.

The triumph of Luis de la Fuente's side is a collective effort. Central defenders Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi have been superb and are a very well-matched pairing, but La Roja have been diligent as a unit to restrict their opponents to scraps.

Charles De Katelaere's first-half header for Belgium in a 2-1 quarterfinal defeat is the only time Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has been beaten across seven matches in North America.

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But if Spain has a slender lead heading into the final stages of Sunday's showpiece against Argentina, they would be foolish to take anything for granted.

There has been none of the Spanish serenity about how La Albiceleste have reached a fourth consecutive major tournament final, but Lionel Scaloni's team simply does not know when they are beaten. Incredibly, they have not led in the 90th minute of any of their four knockout game en route to the Meadowlands.

Here's a reminder of how Lionel Messi and his band of brothers have once again moved to the brink of glory.

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Argentina's amazing comebacks in World Cup 2026

Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2 (a.e.t.)

Few ties in the all-new Round of 32 looked more straightforward than Argentina's assignment against tournament debutants Cape Verde. Messi scored a majestic opening goal to illuminate a cagey first half and that felt as if it would be enough.

But Deroy Duarte equalised before the hour, after which point nerves and fatigue appeared to badly compromise Argentina. Lisandro Martinez's goal early in extra time was cancelled out by a screamer from Sidney Lopes Cabral, the Cape Verde full-back claiming himself an all-time World Cup moment. Cristian Romero's header was diverted into his own net by Diney Borges and, although they pushed hard before the final whistle, Cape Verde were finally out of miracles.

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Nathan Ray Seebeck Imagn Images

Argentina 3, Egypt 2

If Cape Verde gave Argentina a fright, Egypt had them completely terrified, at least for a short while.

Yasser Ibrahim headed the Pharaohs into a 15th-minute lead before Messi missed his second penalty of the tournament. After that setback, Argentina struggled to find any rhythm and they had a VAR reprieve when Mostafa Ziko's brilliant 60th-minute goal on the counter-attack was called back for a foul on Lisandro Martinez. Unperturbed, Ziko tucked away a fine finish to double the lead seven minutes later.

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Lionel Scaloni's team heaved itself off the canvas and, when Romero headed home in the 79th minute, the entire complexion of the contest changed. Messi scored a brilliant equaliser, rattled home off the bar, and Enzo Fernandes headed home Lautaro Martinez's cross on the break in the 93rd minute to spark bedlam.

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Argentina 3, Switzerland 1 (a.e.t.)

Alexis Mac Allister's early header from a Messi corner gave the impression that Argentina might finally be able to make life easy for themselves. However, from that point, they effectively disappeared as an attacking force. Dan Ndoye scored a deserved equaliser for Switzerland and Scaloni's men then failed to capitalize upon Breel Embolo getting a brainless red card for simulation.

Into extra time and enter Julian Alvarez, who illuminated a quiet tournament personally with a stunning, curling long-range strike into the top corner. As Switzerland pushed for a second equaliser, Lautaro Martinez made the semifinal place safe on the counter-attack.

Imagn Images/Agustin Marcarian

Argentina 2, England 1

A niggly first half was played on Argentina's terms but England were comfortable and had an answer to everything thrown at them. Had Thomas Tuchel's team retained that poise after Anthony Gordon's well-worked opening goal, they would have been heading to a first World Cup final for 60 years.

But England retreated, retreated and retreated some more. It was hard to fathom that Argentina and Messi were able to shift their opponents to exactly where they wanted them. The Three Lions were almost asking for another dose of Argentine drama and that's what they got. Fernandez rifled him a brilliant strike when England switched off from a short corner five minutes from the end of regulation time. Then, in the third minute of stoppage time. Lautaro Martinez found space inside a crowded penalty area to nod home Messi's right-footed cross.

Dom Farrell

Dom is a senior content producer. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.

Source: Sporting News