The Tournament's Final Stretch
July 16 and 17 passed without a single match, giving the remaining teams a rare opportunity to recover, fine‑tune tactics, and rest key personnel before the climax of the competition.
On July 18, France will take on England in a third‑place playoff at 5 p.m. ET in Miami’s stadium, a clash that will showcase Kylian Mbappé’s pursuit of the Golden Boot alongside Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, each of whom have already netted six goals.
The following day, Spain will meet Argentina in the World Cup final at 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain’s flawless defensive record — just one goal conceded in seven matches and six clean sheets — will be tested against Argentina’s dramatic comeback against England, orchestrated by Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.
Lionel Messi’s assist in that semifinal lifted his World Cup career total to 12, underscoring his influence on a side that aims to become the first nation to win consecutive men’s titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, while Spain seeks its second championship overall.
Beyond individual milestones, Spain’s unbeaten streak now spans 37 straight internationals, matching Italy’s benchmark from 2018 to 2021, adding a layer of historical significance to the impending final.