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Finalissima

Finalissima Overview

Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi

Argentina vs Spain Finalissima in doubt after Qatar League suspended

The highly-anticipated Finalissima clash between reigning European champions Spain and South American counterparts Argentina, scheduled for March 27 in Doha, has been thrown into serious doubt. Following recent geopolitical developments, including Iranian strikes on bases within the country and an escalation of conflict across the Middle East, Qatar has taken the drastic step of halting all sporting activity.

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Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi

Argentina's plan to stop Yamal in La Finalissima revealed

Lionel Scaloni's plan to stop Lamine Yamal in La Finalissima has been revealed as Spain gear up to take on Argentina in Qatar. The European champions will take on the Copa America winners in Qatar next month in the pre-World Cup meeting in the national team equivalent of the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup. The game will see the Barcelona wonderkid come up against Lionel Messi for the first time.

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Lionel Messi Lamine Yamal

Yamal and Messi to go head-to-head as Finalissima is confirmed

A generational showdown is officially on the calendar as Spain and Argentina prepare to contest the Finalissima in Qatar, setting up a first-ever senior meeting between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. With the European and South American champions colliding at Lusail Stadium, the one-off clash promises symbolism, history and World Cup-level intensity just months before the 2026 tournament.

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Lionel Messi World Cup trophy

Messi airs WC ‘hope’ & rules out Finalissima clash with Yamal

Lionel Messi has aired his 2026 World Cup “hope”, with there still a chance that he will grace that competition, but has ruled himself out of a meeting with Spain and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the next Finalissima. Argentina are hoping to have their talismanic captain available for the defence of a global title next summer, but will be without him if a clash with the reigning champions of Europe is confirmed.

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Finalissima, fixtures & results

Thursday 26 March
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Standings

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1América-MG crestAmérica-MG00000000
2Athletic Club-MG crestAthletic Club-MG00000000
3Atlético-GO crestAtlético-GO00000000
4Avaí crestAvaí00000000
5Botafogo-SP crestBotafogo-SP00000000
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Frequently asked questions

With 20 titles to their name, Ajax are the most successful side in KNVB Beker history. They first won the cup in 1917, with their most recent win coming in 2021.

In the current format of the KNVB Beker, as many as 110 teams are contesting for the cup. The first-ever KNVB Beker final took place in 1899 between RAP Amsterdam and HVV Den Haag, with the former winning 1-0.

Pim Doesburg played in 76 KNVB Beker games, making him the record-holding appearance maker in the cup's history.

Willy van der Kuijlen, a prolific centre-forward, is the all-time top scorer of the KNVB Beker, with an impressive 57 goals in 63 appearances. The fact that he is also the all-time top scorer in Eredivisie speaks volumes about his goalscoring prowess!

Legends such as Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Edwin van der Sar, and Wesley Sneijder have all played in the KNVB Beker.

The KNVB Beker has featured several renowned managers who have left their mark on Dutch football such as Frank de Boer, Ronald Koeman, and Erik ten Hag.