# “Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz on the bench in the 2026 World Cup final.”

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/lautaro-martinez-and-nico-paz-on-the-bench-in-the-2026-world-cup-final/
- Published: 2026-07-19T09:28:11+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-19T10:16:53+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Internacional
- Tags: Campeonato da Europa, Lautaro Martinez, Leo Messi, Nico Paz

## Key points

- O artigo indica que a final do Mundial 2026 terá Espanha contra Argentina, no MetLife Stadium, em Nova Iorque.
- Segundo a Gazzetta dello Sport e a Tuttosport, Lautaro Martínez e Nico Paz deverão começar o jogo no banco.
- Lautaro Martínez é o segundo melhor marcador argentino no Mundial, com três golos, atrás de Messi, com oito.

## Article

The final of the 2026 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638602) will see Spain face Argentina at the [MetLife Stadium](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638586) in New York, in a clash that promises to be electrifying. The match is scheduled for 21:00 CET (15:00 local time) and features the European champion against the reigning world champion.

Among the stars on the field, Lautaro Martínez and Nico Paz stand out as the only Serie A players present in this final, both representing Argentina. According to Italian sources such as Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, the two forwards are expected to start the match on the bench. Lautaro Martínez, captain of Inter, is Argentina's second top scorer in this [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/jude-bellingham-is-the-english-player-with-the-most-goals-in-a-world-cup-final-stage/), with three goals, just behind [Lionel Messi](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/messi-sends-an-emotional-message-before-the-world-cup-final-against-spain/), who has eight. The forward has participated in all of Argentina's matches so far and scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against England on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Nico Paz has come on as a substitute twice, totaling 71 minutes of play throughout the tournament.

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The Spanish team is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Unai Simón in goal, a defensive line consisting of Pedro Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, and Cucurella, a midfield featuring Rodri and Fabián Ruiz, and an attack comprising Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena, and Oyarzabal. Argentina, on the other hand, is likely to take the field in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez in goal; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Tagliafico in defense; Paredes, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Mac Allister in midfield; and Messi and [Julián Álvarez](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/chelsea-secures-morgan-rogers-for-117-million-and-shakes-up-the-market/) in the forward line.

For fans in Italy, the match can be watched for free on Rai 1, while the DAZN platform also broadcasts the game via subscription. In the [United Kingdom](https://apitofinal.pt/en/modalidades-en/golf-en/sam-burns-leads-the-open-in-search-of-redemption-after-losing-at-the-us-open/), the final will be available on BBC One and ITV1, in the [United States](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638752) on Fox Sports, in India through Zee5, and in Australia via SBS.

This clash between two of the world's top teams draws global attention, with an Argentine squad where Serie A stars play a prominent role, even if from the bench, and a Spanish team ready to defend the European title. The decision to place Lautaro Martínez and Nico Paz on the bench raises questions about Argentina's strategy for this final, especially considering the importance of the Inter forward in the tournament's decisive stages.

A final of the 2026 [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/arteta-is-seeking-a-serious-solution-to-replace-saliba-after-his-injury/) promises to be a historic and decisive moment for Spain and Argentina, with millions of fans eagerly awaiting the kickoff and the unfolding of a match that could crown new heroes and immortalize legends of world [football](https://apitofinal.pt/en/?p=638779).

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