While the narrative focus ahead of the World Cup final will naturally focus on the individual talents like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, the key to victory on Sunday will likely hinge on the midfield battle.

To their cost, favourites France found themselves swamped by the Spanish engine room in Tuesday’s semi-final.

Luis de la Fuente’s side might not be as possession obsessed as at the height of the tiki taka era, but they still dictate the vast majority of matches through the poise and control they exhibit in central midfield.

How Argentina deal with that will be key at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Republic of Ireland legend Ray Houghton will return to the site of the former Giants Stadium as part of the RTÉ commentary team for the final.

Before he jetted off from Atlanta airport towards the Big Apple, he joined the RTÉ Soccer Podcast and outlined how the Argentinians might go about trying to stifle the Spanish midfield metronomes.

“I think the dynamics of Argentina’s midfield will be that (Leandro) Paredes will pick up (Dani) Olmo and then the other two, (Alexis) Mac Allister and Enzo (Fernandez) will get right into Rodri and Fabian Ruiz and that will be a battle,” he said.

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“Let me tell you, (Spain) won’t get as much time on the ball as they’ve had in previous games because these lads will be right on top of them at every opportunity.

“They will be niggly, they’ll get little fouls on them because the referees are not punishing them at the moment and it’s just whether Spain don’t react.

“That’s what (Spain) must do, play their own game, don’t get caught up in the occasion, don’t get caught up against the little niggly fouls and if they can do that, I think on an occasion like this there’s going to be a star that’s going to win it.

“It’ll either be Messi or it will be Yamal. One of them two is going to do something magical in the final to win it for their side.”

Also speaking on the podcast, Paul Corry – one of a minority to have tipped Spain to beat France – highlighted how Argentina will try to make it a numbers game in central areas.

“I thought Rodrigo De Paul did extremely well when he came on (against England). I think he’s somebody who comes in and maybe they look to play that box in midfield with Paredes, Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Fernandez as well,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday, UCD and Shamrock Rovers midfielder.

“I would expect that they will go man for man within midfield. I don’t think you can afford to let Rodri and Fabian Ruiz to dictate the tempo of this game.

“I think you have to make it as uncomfortable as you can. I think they’ll want to ensure that (Spain) don’t get into the rhythm of that possession type football early in that game.

“But it’s going to be difficult for Argentina. I think what you are looking for within that side is Messi is still picking up pockets, he’s still producing moments of magic.

“They seem to play well for him and if they can do that and take Spain out of a rhythm, I would certainly give them a chance.”

Watch every game of the FIFA 2026 World Cup live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with highlights on RTÉ Sport digital platforms and live blogs on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app

Watch Shamrock Rovers v Cork City in the Club Orange FAI Cup second round on Friday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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