NEW YORK — The final day of a summer of FIFA World Cup fever in North America, and the last of 104 matches, has finally arrived, as the world's top two ranked national teams — Spain and Argentina — will kick off at 3 p.m.Eastern time for the right to lift the sport's most coveted trophy.A crowd of 80,000 people is expected to pack into the stands of MetLife Stadium in New Jersey just outside of New York City, where the cheapest tickets were going for nearly $10,000 on secondary market sites.For days, wildfire smoke had swept over New York.
Then a downpour on Saturday and a flash flood alert.But by Sunday morning, with a sunny forecast calling for clear skies and a high of 80 degrees at kickoff, all of that was in the rearview mirror.For Spain, a win would mark a meteoric rise for a young and thrilling squad and their 19-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal, who despite an injury to his quad earlier this spring, has flashed greatness throughout the tournament.Spain has beaten three of the world's top-ten teams to reach the final — first a 1-0 win over No.
5 Portugal, then a 2-1 quarterfinal win over No.9 Belgium, and most impressive, a 2-0 win in the semifinal over No.
3 France, whose attack had looked unstoppable until then.Spain has conceded only one goal in their seven World Cup games so far.Meanwhile, for Argentina, a win would cap a historic and dominant era that has included the 2022 World Cup title, two Copa América trophies and the 2022 Finalissima — all while the team has been led by the global megastar Lionel Messi.
"They are an excellent opponent, an excellent national team that has had a spectacular run over the last eight or 10 years since this group came together," said Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente on Friday.Argentina's road to New York has been paved with improbable wins, one after another.In none of their four knockout games did Argentina hold the lead when the clock reached 90 minutes.
Twice they have escaped with a stoppage time game-winn...