Breaking down matchups for Argentina-Spain World Cup final plus a prediction

Here we are, 103 matches later.The biggest sporting event on the planet takes place Sunday at 3 p.m.at MetLife Stadium when Spain faces Argentina in the World Cup final.

After five wondrous weeks across three countries and 16 cities, featuring Scots drinking and Cape Verdean joy, English angst and Norwegian rowing, it is the first final in history to feature the reigning European champion against the reigning South American champion.Spain has cut a clean path to the final, outscoring opposition 13-1 across seven games while rarely looking at serious risk.Argentina relied on last-minute heroics to beat Cape Verde, Egypt and England, and needed extra time to get past Switzerland, and yet has retained an aura of invincibility all the same.The Post breaks down the matchups in the World Cup Final.“We need to be faithful, loyal to our football idea,” manager Luis de la Fuente said Friday.

That means using unending possession, short and deliberate passes and aggressive counterpressing to suffocate the opposition.Spain’s midfield, with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz playing behind Dani Olmo, has dominantly executed that vision all tournament, particularly in the knockout stage.While there are worries about Lamine Yamal’s hamstring after the winger received a knock in the semifinal, La Roja’s play in the wide areas has set up much of its scoring until now, and will continue to be key.Argentina is vulnerable there, with right back Nahuel Molina getting picked on for England’s only goal in the semifinal and left back Nicolás Tagliafico having an up-and-down tournament.

The interplay between Yamal and Pedro Porro on the right, as well as Marc Cucurella and Alex Baena on the left, will be huge for Spain.If they can set up crosses to the back post with numbers in the box — an area in which it has excelled, and something Argentina has struggled to defend — Spain will be cooking with gas.Meanwhile, Spain’s midfield and the rest of its defense — with its center back...