Overview
- Spain advanced to the final after a 2-0 semifinal win over France and enter the match on a long unbeaten run with just one goal conceded in the tournament.
- Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 with late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez created by Lionel Messi in Wednesday’s dramatic semifinal.
- Photographs from the England match show several Argentina players holding a 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas' banner and UK ministers have publicly urged FIFA to investigate the incident.
- IFAB and FIFA rules prohibit political slogans at matches, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is reviewing match reports, and Argentina was previously fined in 2014 for a similar banner so fines or other sanctions are possible.
- The July 19 final will be watched for the Messi versus Lamine Yamal storyline and for whether FIFA acts before the match, a decision that could shape diplomatic reactions and the tournament’s closing narrative.