4.12amMessi the link between Argentina and Spain’s colliding contrastsBy Emma KempIt has been 10 years and 21 days ago since Lionel Messi retired from international football. He had just missed his penalty in a shootout against Chile to decide the 2016 Copa America Centenario champions, could not comprehend that Argentina had lost a fourth major final in nine years, and called it quits immediately.He was 29, but by then had spent so many years in pursuit of an elusive international achievement to match his resplendent club career (he had won, by then, five of his eight Ballons d’Or). The 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany – he missed a one-on-one with Manuel Neuer – only intensified the criticism in Argentina, including accusations he prioritised Barcelona over national duties and lacked the yearning and leadership of Diego Maradona.“I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion,” he told media after the loss to Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. “It’s been four finals – I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over. I think this is best for everyone.”In Buenos Aires, a 15-year-old River Plate academy player named Enzo Fernandez did not think it was best for everyone. One day after that final on June 26, 2016, he posted an open letter to Messi on his Facebook page.“How are we going to convince you if we could not understand that you are a human being, a person with unmatched talent, the best player on the planet but a person anyway,” Fernandez wrote.4.10amThe pre-show performance so farBy The view from the bleachers.AP Photo/Seth WenigInfluencer IShowSpeed performs before the World Cup final.AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIPost Malone sings before the final. AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIDancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony.AP Photo/Matt Slocum4.06amHave your say: Who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?By 4.05amTeam news: Argentina make three changes, Spain make noneBy Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has made three changes from the side who came from behind to beat England in the semi-finals, while Luis de la Fuente has named an unchanged Spain team.Lamine Yamal arrives at the stadium.AP Photo/Pamela SmithRodrigo De Paul returns in midfield, Gonzalo Montiel starts at right-back and Nicolas Gonzalez comes in on the wing for Argentina. Giuliano Simeone, Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes drop out as Lionel Messi captains Argentina in their title defence.Lamine Yamal plays up front for Spain after missing training this week following a knock in the semi-final win over France. Pedro Porro also starts after hamstring discomfort, while Pedri remains among the substitutes.Spain: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri (c), Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena, Mikel OyarzabalArgentina: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolas Gonzalez; Lionel Messi (c), Julian Alvarez4.03amFinale of a juggernautBy The last stop on train line that is the world’s biggest sporting event but could also be a tournament of geopolitics, of economic greed, of drama on and off the pitch, and of emotion ... dreadful surprise and beautiful shock have underpinned the past five weeks. Gianni Infantino had promised every match of the 2026 World Cup would be a Super Bowl in itself. Well, this morning’s final is anticipated to draw an audience at least 10 times the size of the Super Bowl. So, job done.The teams at the centre? Spain and Argentina. Two reigning continental champions, of Europe and South America. Spain, unbeaten in 37 games, are a team in service to the collective and to the ball. Argentina, the defending world champions, are in service to their 39-year-old talisman Lionel Messi. They have never met in a World Cup knockout game. In fact, they have met only once on this stage: in the group phase of 1966. You could argue this meeting is 60 years in the making.Kick-off is at 5am AEST. We’ll be with you for the build-up, the game, and all the wash-up.1 of 1