00:13Welcome to Beyond the Game, the both Spurs, Spain and Argentina are set to make history in the 2026 FIFA
00:18World Cup Final.
00:19After 96 years of World Cup history, the two football powerhouses will face each other for the first time ever
00:25in a World Cup Final,
00:26deciding the World Championship on Sunday, July 19th at New York-New Jersey Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p
00:32.m. Karakas time.
00:34Defending champions Argentina will look to retain the title they won at Qatar 2022.
00:38If they succeed, Argentina will become the third nation to do so alongside Italy and Brazil.
00:44Spain will be aiming to lift its second World Cup trophy, adding to its triumph at South Africa 2010.
00:50Meanwhile, the third-place match will see France take on England on Saturday, July 18th at 5 p.m. Karakas
00:57time.
01:02And Wednesday's semi-final between Argentina and England saw a tense and scoreless first half before Lavi Celeste delivered a
01:08dramatic 2-1 comeback victory.
01:10Anthony Gordon fired England ahead in the 55th minute with a powerful finish from Morgan Rodgers' cross.
01:16Both the defending champions, defunded with relentless pressure, Enzo Fernandes, equalized in the 85th minute with a stunning long-range
01:24strike
01:24before Lionel Messi delivered once again Serenov-Lautaro Martinez for a stoppage time header to complete the turnaround.
01:31Lionel Scaloni's side has delivered hard-stopping performances in the knockout stage, scoring most of his goals in the final
01:3710 minutes.
01:43Following Argentina's victory over England, the reigning world champions displayed a banner reading the Malvinas are Argentine delivering a powerful
01:50message to their nation
01:51while igniting controversies surrounding FIFA.
01:53One of FIFA's strictest regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup prohibited political messages during matches by both players and
02:00spectators.
02:01However, after securing a hard-fought victory to reach another World Cup final, Argentina's players unveiled a banner declaring the
02:08Malvinas are Argentine.
02:10The message paid tribute to an issue of deep historical and national significance for Argentina.
02:15While the gesture was well met by supporters, it also prompted the British government to request that FIFA open an
02:21investigation into the matter.
02:28In Atlanta, Argentina fans expressed their joy and excitement to be back to a World Cup final.
02:34It was amazing because back home, my mom always told me about the match against England in 86.
02:39And well, to experience it in person, Lionel Messi had never played against England before.
02:44And honestly, I'm really happy.
02:46That pass he played to El Toro Lautaro Martinez.
02:49I'm really happy and really pleased.
02:51It's time to celebrate.
02:53I think we all realize that as soon as Messi moves out to the right wing, the match changes.
02:58It's all about him.
03:00It's him.
03:02What can I say?
03:03Argentina.
03:05I'm not going to say we are invincible, but it's very hard to beat us.
03:08Why?
03:09Because the game isn't about beating Argentina.
03:12It's about taking out all 11 guys on the pitch and breaking their legs.
03:16And I don't think anyone can do that this year.
03:20Yes, that goal was incredible.
03:21Incredible.
03:22Incredible.
03:23To all those who say we're too reliant on Messi, this is a team that gives it their all.
03:26That gives it their all.
03:29And back in London, England fans express their disappointment after their team's defeat to
03:33Argentina and point the finger at the head coach's decision to fall back.
03:39I thought we started really well.
03:41We were strong.
03:42We dominated the first half.
03:45We got the goal.
03:46Then we sat back.
03:49And the more experienced team then tested our defense.
03:54They chipped and chipped and chipped and chipped.
03:56They broke us down and obviously they've done it on probably grit and determination.
04:05First half, great.
04:06Second half.
04:08Gareth Southgate went into the changing rooms wearing a Tommy Tuchel mask and decided to bring
04:13on five defenders, which hasn't been done the whole tournament.
04:17And then that's why we lost, basically, I think, because he snuck in there and did everything
04:23he hasn't done the whole tournament.
04:24Like the whole tournament was attacking, counter-attacking.
04:26And then this game, it was just full-blown defense when we know all of Argentina's goals
04:32are scored in the last 10 minutes.
04:34England to win, so my heart was saying England to win 2-1, but my football brain, I know the
04:39football said Argentina 2-1, because I just thought if we score against them, we're just
04:44going to sit back.
04:45We're not going to even play on the attack anymore.
04:47I was right.
04:48I hoped they'd be wrong, but I was right.
04:54And Argentina's semi-final triumph over England is making headlines off the pitch after Argentine
04:59players celebrated by unfurling a banner reading the Malvinas are Argentina.
05:03Victor O'Morales defended the squad on his program La Pelota No Se Mancha.
05:09The Argentine team scored a third goal, a wonderful goal, when they unfurled the flag.
05:16The Malvinas are Argentina.
05:19Well, it made a huge impact.
05:22It warmed the hearts of millions of Argentines.
05:25Everyone feels that way.
05:27The Malvinas are Argentina.
05:30At one point, Messi himself was among those holding the flag.
05:34Lo Celso brought it onto the field, and then everyone joined in.
05:39Look how he unfurls it, so it can be seen from the sky.
05:45Perhaps so Diego could see it, since he was always a driving force behind the Argentine
05:49national team's connection to the recovery of the Malvinas Islands.
05:56The Sun newspaper is very angry about this flag.
05:59It says it was a display of arrogance.
06:01No, it's a call for freedom.
06:05Spain wasted no time getting back to work after booking its place in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final.
06:11La Roja held its first training session this Thursday.
06:13Players and coaching staff began fine-tuning every detail ahead of the showdown with Argentina.
06:18Spain's greatest strength throughout the tournament has been its possession-based style,
06:21quick-passing combinations, and defensive organization, allowing it to control the game
06:26against every opponent, and only conceding one goal in the tournament.
06:31However, Spain will need to be more clinical in front of goal,
06:35as mischances have prevented several victories from becoming more comfortable.
06:38Against Argentina, efficiency in the final third could prove decisive.
06:42The coaching staff is also preparing to contain Argentina's dangerous transitions
06:46and limited influence of Lionel Messi.
06:52And after two dramatic walks in the semi-finals, Spain and Argentina dominate my best XI with four players each,
06:59while England places three despite falling short.
07:02Emiliano Martinez gets the nod in goal after another decisive performance,
07:06protected by a back four of Marco Curella, Cristian Romero, Pao Cuarzi, and Pedro Roo.
07:10In midfield, Enzo Fernandes' late equalizer earns him a spot alongside Jude Bellingham,
07:15who remained England's driving force, and Rodri, who controls Spain's tempo.
07:19Upfront, Anthony Gordon is rewarded for his pace and goal against Argentina.
07:24Lionel Messi once again delivers on the biggest stage,
07:27and Miquel Ogerzaba leads the line after scoring the penalty
07:30that puts Spain on course for a place in the World Cup final.
07:38This is all for this edition of Beyond the Game.
07:40The Boast is Pure, we're going to be back with more in upcoming segments.
07:43Back to you, Ale.
07:44Thank you, Lizzie, very much for keeping us posted on everything that is happening
07:48in these final stages of the World Cup 2026.
07:52And with this special segment, we have come to the end of this news break.
07:56Remember, you can find this and many other stories on our website at telesurenglish.net.
08:01Also, join us on social media.
08:02We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and also TikTok.
08:07For Telesur English, I'm Alejandra Garcia.
08:12And thank you for watching.
08:13See you next time.
08:13Bye-bye.
08:13Bye-bye.
08:15Bye-bye.
08:16Bye-bye.
08:20Bye-bye.
08:21Bye-bye.
08:22You
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