Spain vs. Argentina First Goalscorer Best Bets
- Lamine Yamal, Spain (+700)
- Julian Alvarez, Argentina (+800)
First Goalscorer Picks for Spain vs. Argentina
The World Cup final is set. It has been a story of two very different teams. Spain has used its immense quality, style and experience to get to this World Cup final. A balance of brilliant young talent like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, with experienced high-IQ players like Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal, has made this Spain team look untouchable. They flew a bit under the radar during the group stage because they didn’t play in any thrilling games like France, Argentina and England did. They simply suffocated all of their opponents.
The big test for Spain came in the semi-final against the explosive and flashy French side. Could Spain’s style of holding possession, waiting for their chances and pure patience work against a side that dynamic? The answer was firmly yes. The best group of attacking players in the world seemed to stand no chance against this Spain side.
For the Argentinians, this has been a tournament run built on heart and willpower. Lionel Messi has been the talisman for his nation and refused to let them lose. Messi’s presence and quality have radiated a “we won’t lose” mentality to his teammates. They have been on the brink of defeat to Cape Verde, Egypt and England in this knockout stage. However, Messi and Argentina always seem to find a way. Only time will tell if they have one more of those performances in their locker, or if Spain’s quality and experience will be the antidote to that attitude.
Lamine Yamal, Spain (+700)
Lamine Yamal is on the brink of launching his career arc into the stratosphere. It was remarkable to see Yamal lead Spain to a Euros title at just 17 years old in 2024. At 19 years old, he is now on the brink of adding a World Cup to his resume. That is something Cristiano Ronaldo never achieved, and something that Lionel Messi didn’t achieve until 35 years old. If Yamal can stay fit and have the longevity of those players, he would already have a big head start in terms of international trophies if Spain wins this World Cup.
Yamal has not been Spain’s best player in this tournament. Rodri has been the heart and soul of this team, and Mikel Oyarzabal has been Spain’s best player going forward. However, Yamal entered this tournament with an injury and was clearly not quite up to speed to start the World Cup. He has only scored one goal in the tournament so far, but his presence has still had a massive impact. In this final, it seems like Yamal’s time to score a big goal.
Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, and the story and picture of him bathing a baby Lamine Yamal have made this a true fairy tale of a World Cup final matchup. It truly feels like the master against his apprentice, who have been destined for 19 years to meet here in this final. The question is whether Messi will cement his legacy as the GOAT, or if Yamal will take the reins as the next big thing in football.
My money is on the latter. Spain should exercise its incredible control over this match and create the early chances. Both England and Egypt managed to score first against Argentina in this knockout stage. Spain should do so as well, and I’m backing that incredible left foot of Lamine Yamal to provide the big goal. Yamal has not had his “moment” at this World Cup yet, while seemingly every other star in the game has. It might just be because Yamal is saving that big moment for the biggest possible stage.
Julian Alvarez, Argentina (+800)
If Argentina scores first, I’m backing it to come from Julian Alvarez. Alvarez has been a bit quiet at this World Cup, but did score the crucial winning goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. However, my faith is in Alvarez being a big-game player. He scored ten goals in 15 Champions League starts for Atletico Madrid last season, including five goals in six knockout games. Alvarez also scored an incredible brace for his nation at the 2022 World Cup in the semi-finals against Croatia.
It could be his time to rise to the moment again here in the World Cup final in 2026. He has been the chosen starter up top this entire tournament, with Lionel Scaloni preferring to use Lautaro Martinez as a super-sub in the knockout stage. That makes Alvarez a strong bet at this price to score the first goal of the match.
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