Former Chelsea defender, Frank Leboeuf, has predicted that Spain will defeat Lionel Messi’s Argentina 4-0 in the final of the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
Spain has allowed only one goal while netting 13 in their seven matches leading up to the final.
They began their campaign with a surprising 0-0 draw against tournament newcomers Cabo Verde but quickly rebounded with victories over Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0), and Austria (3-0) in the Round of 32.
Midfielder Mikel Merino made significant contributions by scoring crucial goals off the bench against Portugal (1-0) and Belgium (2-1) in the Round of 16 and quarter-final, respectively. In the semi-final, La Roja showcased their superiority by defeating another tournament contender, France, with a comfortable 2-0 win.
While Messi has showcased his brilliance with eight goals and four assists in seven matches, Argentina has also experienced their share of dramatic moments.
They triumphed over a resilient Cabo Verde with a score of 3-2 in the Round of 32, staged a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16, and scored twice in extra time to overcome a 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final.
They completed another remarkable comeback in the semi-final against England, scoring in the 85th and 92nd minutes to secure a 2-1 victory.
As the 2026 final approaches, opinions among fans and analysts are divided regarding the outcome. Nevertheless, Leboeuf is unequivocal in his prediction, anticipating a significant win for Spain.
The 58-year-old stated, via ESPN UK on YouTube, “I apologize, but I must predict a very large scoreline. I’m going with 4-0 in favor of Spain. I have respect for Argentina and could consider a 3-2 outcome, but I believe that if Spain scores first, Argentina will have to push forward, which could lead to them being punished given the talent of the Spanish squad.”
Spain is striving to secure their second title following their historic victory in 2010. Meanwhile, Messi’s Argentina aims to replicate their success from the last edition and add a fourth star to their emblem, having previously won in 1978, 1986, and 2022.