Shackle Rodri and Argentina's Passion Can Win It

According to The Guardian's Jonathan Wilson, Sunday's World Cup final is a collision between two very different philosophies: Spain's composed, process-driven football and Argentina's surging emotional momentum.

The analysis centres on Rodri as the beating heart of Spain's system. Wilson argues that if Argentina can disrupt his rhythm and prevent him from controlling the tempo, the emotional energy driving the South American side becomes a genuine weapon rather than a liability.

Wilson notes that Argentina are likely to set up with Messi as a loose centre-forward and Julian Alvarez on the left, a structure used to good effect against England. The longer the game stays goalless, he suggests, the more Argentina's momentum favours them. Should Spain score first, their ability to frustrate and counter could prove decisive.