Only Spain stand in the way of Argentina retaining the World Cup.Luis de la Fuente’s team have barely allowed a big chance all tournament, conceding just once in seven games. They are unbeaten in 37 games, a joint record for a European nation (excluding their penalty shootout defeat by Portugal in the final of the 2025 Nations League).In the semi-finals, they shackled France’s front four with such ease that the debate over whether it was the best front line ever assembled now feels foolishly premature.If Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue can’t beat them, though, who can?The slightly surprising answer is Scotland, the team ranked 42nd in the world and who exited the World Cup at the group stage. In March 2023, they defeated Spain 2-0 at Hampden Park, with Lyndon Dykes, most recently of Championship club Charlton Athletic, playing on his own up front. No side has emulated that achievement over 90 minutes since.It may be that Scotland were Spain’s nadir, a night so desperate they ditched the apps and resolved to love themselves again, but whatever self-healing practices Spain implemented, they worked.So, what can Argentina take, if anything? Let’s start with a source of inspiration: Scott McTominay. It was his double that sealed a famous 2-0 victory en route to Euro 2024 qualification. He has achieved such cult status at Napoli, the same club that elevated Diego Maradona to a god, that his shirt is often the only one sold by many street vendors (alongside the Argentine’s).With that tenuous link established, we move on to the game itself. There are some minor caveats to bear in mind. For one, only Pedro Porro, Rodri, Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal from the starting XI in 2023 will be major players in Sunday’s final. Gavi and Nico Williams did play in the second half, but Spain’s team that day featured Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, David Garcia at centre-back, Dani Ceballos in midfield, Yeremy Pino on the wing and Joselu up front. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were months away from making their senior debuts.Is Rodri back to his Ballon d'Or best?Reuben PinderSpain, therefore, did not possess the aura they now have as reigning European champions. In fact, when they arrived in Glasgow it felt like the world of football was spinning away from them.Luis Enrique had been sacked after crashing out in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. Pep Guardiola was leading Manchester City to the Champions League using four centre-backs. Man-for-man pressing was all the rage, supplanting the possession-based principles that had led Barcelona to two Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011 and saw the Spain national team win Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.