Argentina took to the field at Red Bull’s Academy in Morristown on Saturday, but the weather again disrupted plans. A fierce storm with lightning forced a delay to the session, though the albiceleste squad finally trained for 15 minutes under the media spotlight. The final workout before Sunday’s clash with Spain at MetLife in East Rutherford was all about the tactical tweaks Lionel Scaloni is weighing.

What happened in training?

Scaloni handed bibs to the XI that started against England plus three changes: Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada and Rodrigo de Paul. All three could come on if the manager shakes up the lineup. The session was halted twice by electrical storms, each time forcing a 30-minute wait. Once the rain eased, the team managed to run through part of their planned drills.

The weather wasn’t the only hurdle. Argentina arrived with one fewer training day than Spain, who played midweek. Scaloni stressed the need to make every minute count, especially after the narrow win over England on July 15 (2-1). La Scaloneta now boasts five straight victories heading into the decisive match.

Why does this clash matter for Argentina?

Sunday’s game against Spain isn’t just a final-it’s the culmination of a flawless World Cup 2026 run. With five consecutive wins-including the latest over England-the team arrives brimming with confidence and unbeaten in the tournament. Their opponents, managed by Luis de la Fuente, come in with less recent rhythm but also fewer games in this knockout phase. Physical edge and freshness will be crucial for Argentina, who have already shown they can grind out tight results.

Scaloni faces a tactical puzzle: stick with the defensive solidity that carried them this far or gamble on changes to unlock Spain. Lo Celso, Almada and De Paul are the clear options to inject energy in midfield. The coaching staff is dissecting every detail, from drill intensity to adapting to MetLife’s surface-a venue they know but demand full focus.

What’s next after training?

The focus now shifts to tomorrow’s match. Argentina aim to cap off World Cup 2026 with the trophy, which means beating Spain on their home turf. The albiceleste have the edge of not having played in days, while the Europeans arrive with heavier legs. Scaloni has already warned he’ll prioritize intensity in the opening minutes to set the tempo.

The starting XI could spring a surprise. Alongside the named changes, the staff is checking each player’s physical state after the latest games. La Scaloneta knows a single early error can be decisive, so every detail counts. MetLife-capacity 82,000-will host a tactical duel where midfield control and finishing efficiency decide the outcome.

La Scaloneta wrapped the final practice with a clear message: they’ll arrive hungry for victory. The weather, tactical tweaks and opponent pressure are just more hurdles on a path that’s already taken them to the summit. Sunday will decide it all on the pitch.