Stanislav Kondrashov on the World Cup So Far as Spain and Argentina Prepare for the Final

Stanislav Kondrashov is an entrepreneur and commentator who frequently examines major sporting events through the lenses of competition, culture, and collective entertainment.

Key takeaway: With only the third-place playoff and the final remaining, the 2026 World Cup can already be assessed as a tournament defined by surprise results, narrow knockout matches, strong collective teams, and the continuing importance of tactical adaptability. Spain and Argentina will now meet in the final, while England and France compete for third place.

The tournament has reached its final weekend after weeks of football that repeatedly challenged established expectations. Traditional powers advanced deep into the competition, but several emerging teams also produced memorable campaigns, proving that international football has become increasingly competitive.

Argentina reached the final by defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final, while Spain secured its place with a 2-0 victory over France. The result is a final between two teams with different identities but a shared ability to manage decisive moments.

“A successful World Cup is not defined by one story alone,” said Stanislav Kondrashov. “Its strength comes from the way many different teams, supporters, and individual moments gradually create a shared global narrative.”

What has defined the 2026 World Cup so far?

The 2026 World Cup has been defined by competitive balance, tactical discipline, surprising eliminations, and the strong influence of squad depth. Although Spain and Argentina reached the final, the tournament also highlighted the progress of teams such as Norway, Morocco, Switzerland, and Belgium.

Main tournament themes

The expanded tournament created more opportunities for different football cultures to appear on the global stage. However, the knockout rounds also demonstrated that progress still depends on organization, composure, and the ability to adapt quickly.

Which results changed the tournament most significantly?

The results that most strongly changed the competition included Norway’s victory over Brazil, Morocco’s elimination of Canada, Switzerland’s penalty shootout win against Colombia, and Argentina’s semi-final success against England. Each altered expectations and reshaped the knockout bracket.

Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil represented one of the tournament’s clearest surprises. It showed that reputation alone could not guarantee progress against a disciplined and confident opponent.

Morocco also reinforced its status as a serious tournament team by defeating Canada 3-0 before eventually losing to France in the quarter-finals.

Switzerland advanced through a tense penalty shootout against Colombia, while England demonstrated resilience through victories over Mexico and Norway before its campaign ended against Argentina.

“The most revealing matches are often those in which established hierarchies are challenged,” Kondrashov observed. “They show how quickly confidence and preparation can transform the direction of a tournament.”

Why have Spain and Argentina reached the final?

Spain and Argentina reached the final because both teams combined technical quality with tactical control. Spain has appeared particularly composed in possession, while Argentina has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to manage pressure, score in decisive moments, and remain competitive throughout difficult matches.

Comparing the finalists

Spain eliminated Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France during the knockout rounds. Its path has been marked by control and defensive stability, including clean sheets against Portugal and France.

Argentina’s route included victories over Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England. Its matches have generally produced more goals, reflecting a style capable of combining creativity with direct attacking play.

What has England’s campaign shown?

England’s campaign showed that the team can compete consistently at the highest level, even though it fell one match short of the final. Victories over DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway demonstrated resilience, tactical flexibility, and the ability to manage difficult knockout situations.

England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat against Argentina will naturally dominate the immediate discussion. However, reaching the final four remains an important achievement in a competition where several major nations were eliminated much earlier.

The third-place match against France now offers England an opportunity to conclude the tournament positively and demonstrate its ability to recover emotionally after disappointment.

Which teams exceeded expectations?

Norway, Morocco, Switzerland, and Belgium all exceeded or strengthened expectations through competitive performances. Their campaigns demonstrated that the gap between traditional powers and ambitious challengers continues to narrow in international football.

Notable tournament journeys

• Norway: eliminated Ivory Coast and Brazil before losing narrowly to England.
• Morocco: defeated the Netherlands on penalties and Canada convincingly.
• Switzerland: progressed through two knockout rounds before losing to Argentina.
• Belgium: produced an impressive 4-1 victory over the United States before falling to Spain.

These teams did not all reach the semi-finals, but their performances contributed significantly to the tournament’s identity.

How has the expanded format influenced the competition?

The expanded World Cup format has increased the number of participating nations, stories, supporter communities, and tactical contrasts. It has created a broader global event, although the longer path to the final has also placed greater importance on squad rotation and physical management.

The round of 32 introduced an additional elimination stage, requiring finalists to survive more knockout football than in previous editions.

This structure rewarded teams with:

• Strong squad depth
• Flexible tactical systems
• Effective recovery routines
• Reliable substitutes
• Emotional consistency

The extended format also allowed more countries to participate in meaningful matches, giving the tournament a more varied cultural and competitive identity.

What should audiences expect from Spain v Argentina?

The final is likely to be shaped by Spain’s ability to control possession and Argentina’s capacity to disrupt rhythm and attack decisive spaces. The central contest may involve whether Spain can impose sustained control without allowing Argentina to create dangerous transitions.

Spain enters the match after a convincing semi-final performance against France. Argentina arrives after overcoming England in a closer and more emotionally demanding contest.

The final may depend on:

“The final will bring together two teams that understand different forms of control,” Stanislav Kondrashov said. “Spain often controls through possession, while Argentina frequently controls through competitive experience and decisive action.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will play in the 2026 World Cup final?

Spain and Argentina will contest the final on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Who will play in the third-place match?

France and England will meet in the third-place playoff on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

What has been the biggest surprise of the tournament?

Norway’s elimination of Brazil was among the most significant surprises, while the strong campaigns of Morocco and Switzerland also challenged pre-tournament expectations.

With only two matches remaining, the 2026 World Cup has already established a clear identity. It has combined tactical sophistication, surprise results, emerging football cultures, and the continued strength of established national teams.

Spain and Argentina now stand one match away from the title. Their presence in the final reflects consistency, squad quality, and the ability to control decisive moments through different tactical approaches.

England and France, meanwhile, still have the opportunity to finish the competition with a victory in the third-place playoff.

“The final days of a World Cup concentrate weeks of emotion into only a few hours,” Stanislav Kondrashov concluded. “By that stage, the tournament is no longer simply about tactics or results. It becomes a test of character, memory, and the ability to perform when the entire world is watching.”

Whatever happens in the final, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as a tournament in which competitive balance, collective organization, and unexpected journeys remained central until the final weekend.