The final of the is shaping up to be a classic. Heading into the decider, Argentina and Spain occupy the top two places on the FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking and both have dazzled over the past five weeks in North America.
While Argentina have won all seven of their matches, and Spain have reeled off six straight wins, they’ve arrived at the final in different manners and that is very much reflected in the .
Lionel Scaloni’s side have created and finished chances at an eye-catching rate, scoring 19 goals in their seven outings. Spain have been near impenetrable, conceding just a single goal in close to 700 minutes of action.
Argentina have been driven, unsurprisingly, by the mercurial talents of captain Lionel Messi. Following their dramatic semi-final win over England, Messi has jumped up five places to the top of the creativity rankings, ahead of erstwhile leader Michael Olise. He is also closing in Kylian Mbappe at the head of the Attacking rankings, having leapfrogged England’s Jude Bellingham after their Atlanta showdown.
Defensively, it’s very much the Spain show in the Power Rankings, with four players in the top ten of the category, including the top three places. It’s Rodri who leads the way, just ahead of full-back Pedro Porro and Pau Cubarsi, with the central defender also among the leading candidates in the race for the FIFA Young Player award, presented by Aramco.
With the top three players in this category all still involved in the tournament, the race for top spot is set to go right down to the wire. It’s France superstar Mbappe (8.92) who currently leads the way, but Messi (8.62) is rapidly closing the gap. England’s Jude Bellingham (8.21) sits third, with a sizeable gap to the remainder of the top ten.
Having starred, with a pair of assists, in Argentina’s latest dramatic victory, Messi (8.41) jumped a full five places to pip Michael Olise (8.22) to the creativity summit. Of the remaining contenders currently inside the top ten, fourth-placed Mbappe (7.70), fifth placed Anthony Gordon (7.67) and Spain’s Lamine Yamal (7.46), one place back, will be hoping to finish strongly.
Spanish players have set an impressive pace in the race to top this category, with Rodri (8.03) in a tussle to hold off team-mates Pedro Porro (7.69) and Cubarsi (7.50). Aymeric Laporte (7.28) is also inside the top ten, sitting eighth, in a testament to just how impressive Luis de la Fuente’s side has been.
Portugal Diogo Costa (8.73) remains well clear of Jordan Pickford (8.10) in the 'Defending the Goal' category although the England No1 (7.89) maintains his grip on top spot, ahead of Spain’s Unai Simon (7.40) in the 'In Possession' standings.
Sources: FIFA Official
