World Cup final: Fire vs fortress

Messi glows with golden assists as Argentina sets up duel with Spain

MANILA, Philippines — The best offense. The best defense.

The World Cup final is set, and fittingly, a clash of styles awaits. Lionel Messi – the most prolific goal scorer in the tournament’s history – and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain’s defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Spain beat France in one semifinal on Tuesday; Argentina, the comeback king of this tournament, rallied to beat England 2-1 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

Argentina is seeking its fourth title and is looking to become the first back-to-back World Cup champion since Brazil pulled off the feat in 1958 and 1962. Spain is looking for its second title, after winning in 2010.

Argentina leads the tournament in goals scored – 19. Spain leads the tournament in fewest goals allowed – one.

Something will have to give on Sunday, when the biggest World Cup ever – a 48-team, 104-match extravaganza spread out over the US, Canada and Mexico – comes to an end.

Trailing 1-0 going into the 85th minute, Argentina rallied for a 2-1 victory over England with goals from Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez.

“I dreamed it, I swear. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score. I told him that I was going to come on and I was going to win it,” Martinez said. “I can tell you this team keeps showing what it’s made of.”

At the final whistle, Lionel Messi fell to his knees in celebration while England players collapsed in disbelief – again.

Messi had largely been kept quiet. But when he’s on the field, anything seems possible.

He fed the ball to Fernandez to sweep in the equalizer from outside the box in the 85th minute. And two minutes into stoppage time, Messi sent in a cross for Martinez to head in the winner.

It almost felt inevitable. Especially given the amount of times Argentina has simply refused to give in at this year’s World Cup. From Cape Verde to Egypt, Messi and Co. always seem to find a way.