{"id":1469015,"date":"2026-07-17T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1469015"},"modified":"2026-07-17T12:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:19:15","slug":"spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-comparison-matrix","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-comparison-matrix\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain vs Argentina: The Comparison Matrix combined XI for World Cup Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>We&#8217;ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to picked out an <a href=\"http:\/\/squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/spain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spain<\/a> vs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/argentina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Argentina<\/a> Combined XI, ahead of this weekend&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Cup<\/a> Final.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we\u2019ve chosen to compare are a combination of the teams&#8217; most-used XI at the World Cup and predicted lineups for the match itself.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381360\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381450\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#000000\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29204520\/1334062_1334062_smarkets-white-wordmark-no-padding.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Smarkets Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">Smarkets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">10<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/smarkets-review\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Betting Exchange<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Modern Betting Platform<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Uniquely Designed Sportsbook<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Very Competitive Odds<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>New UK customers only. Min \u00a310 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of \u00a310 at min odds of 2.0 and get a \u00a310 Football Bet Builder token upon settlement. A \u00a310 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours. A \u00a35 Horse Racing Multiple token and a \u00a35 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Minimum 3 legs. Full T&amp;Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-goalkeeper-unai-simon-vs-emiliano-martinez\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Goalkeeper: Unai Simon vs Emiliano Martinez<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"JtSGz7vhFGkpkLlYJc0Y1\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many might have expected this to be a close battle. Emiliano Martinez remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, while Unai Simon can certainly hold his own. But the Spaniard has blown his Argentine counterpart away in every key goalkeeping metric. Despite being less busy, Simon has made more saves averaging 1.5 per 90 minutes at this summer&#8217;s World Cup, compared to Martinez&#8217;s 1.2 Of course, Simon has also saved more of the shots on target he has faced, at 90.91%. He&#8217;s only conceded one goal at the World Cup so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simon wasn&#8217;t a stranger to a misplaced pass in the semi-finals, but he remains the stronger on the ball of the two goalkeepers. Although shot-stopping is the main requirement for goalkeeping, the need for a passer has grown in recent years. Simon has averaged 24.3 passes per 90 at the World Cup this summer, with a 79.07% completion rate. Martinez, on the other hand, has completed 74.61% of his passes, but his number comes in at a fairly lower 18.8 per 90. Simon also wins the battles on long passes completed and accuracy, though things are slightly closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Unai Simon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-back-pedro-porro-vs-nahuel-molina\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Right-back: Pedro Porro vs Nahuel Molina<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"IHUmbxKOCEIweCFb7ECau\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pedro Porro almost completed a second Spanish clean sweep, but he does still blow Nahuel Molina away in the right-back spot. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/tottenham-hotspur\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> man hadn&#8217;t even started as Spain&#8217;s first-choice right-back, but took the spot from Marcos Llorente due to his performances. Porro is strong at both ends of the pitch and is key for a side like Spain. He has averaged 1.9 chances created per 90 at the World Cup so far, some way higher than Molina&#8217;s 0.6. Porro also trumps his Argentine counterpart for crosses attempted at 3.7 to 1.0 per 90. On the ball, Porro narrowly bests Molina for take-ons completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Porro does also largely win on the defensive stats too. He has averaged 4.3 ground duels won per 90 at the World Cup, more than Molina&#8217;s 2.7. But Molina has won more of his ground duels, with a 60.87% success rate. Porro has only won 56.76% of his ground duels. Porro has averaged slightly more tackles and interceptions per 90 than Molina, at 2.5 and 1.3 respectively. He is more comfortably clear in clearances (2.3 to 1.6) and ball recoveries (4.7 to 3.3) per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Pedro Porro<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-centre-backs-pau-cubarsi-vs-aymeric-laporte-vs-cristian-romero-vs-lisandro-martinez\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Centre-backs: Pau Cubarsi vs Aymeric Laporte vs Cristian Romero vs Lisandro Martinez<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"TnBQ8B_Ds60lRvoBu5uk3\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Argentina&#8217;s centre-backs have been quietly solid at the World Cup this summer, and they both win against Spain&#8217;s pair. Of course, they have been much busier, but they&#8217;ve still had to do their job. Cristian Romero comes out on top of the quartet, particularly strong in his duels. He has made 2.4 tackles per 90, which is more than partner Lisandro Martinez (1.8). Neither Pau Cubarsi nor Aymeric Laporte have averaged higher than 1.0 tackles per 90, thanks to the screening Rodri ahead of them. Romero also wins for 3.2 ground duels won per 90, slightly ahead of Martinez. Again, the Spanish pair pale in comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Martinez has won more of his ground duels, with a 70.37% success rate. Romero has won 61.29% of his, with Cubarsi (51.14%) and Laporte (50%) further back. Martinez also leads for his 5.0 clearances per 90, with Romero (4.2) his closet rival. Aymeric Laporte does average more interceptions per 90, though, at 1.9. It&#8217;s slightly more than Romero&#8217;s 1.7, while Martinez and Cubarsi are level on 0.8 interceptions per 90. Laporte has also completed the most forward passes per 90, at 29.2. Cubarsi has the best passing accuracy &#8211; though all have completed at least 93% of their attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winners: <\/strong>Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-left-back-marc-cucurella-vs-nicolas-tagliafico\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Left-back: Marc Cucurella vs Nicolas Tagliafico<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"uPh-I8CJy0sqdWwoCbB1y\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicolas Tagliafico completes an Argentina-dominated defence, besting Marc Cucurella in the left-back position. Like Porro, Tagliafico didn&#8217;t start as Argentina&#8217;s first choice, but took the spot from Facundo Medina. It&#8217;s not hard to see why, when you compare him to Cucurella &#8212; who has been unrivalled at left-back for Spain. Cucurella attempted 1.5 crosses per 90 at the World Cup this summer, slightly more than Tagliafico&#8217;s 1.4. But Tagliafico has been more of a danger, creating 0.9 chances per 90 to Cucurella&#8217;s 0.8. Again, a slight victory, and the two can really be considered level here. It&#8217;s a similar story for their take-ons completed, with both players level on 0.3 per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Tagliafico wins all the defensive metrics. He has made twice as many tackles per 90 at the World Cup, with 2.0 to Cucurella&#8217;s 1.0. He&#8217;s won even more ground duels too. Tagliafico has won 4.4 ground duels per 90, with a 55.65% success rate. Cucurella, meanwhile, has won just 1.8 ground duels per 90 with a 46.15% success rate. Tagliafico has also averaged more clearances (2.5), interceptions (1.4) and ball recoviers (4.0) per 90 than his Spanish rival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Nicolas Tagliafico<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381360\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381450\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#000000\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29204520\/1334062_1334062_smarkets-white-wordmark-no-padding.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Smarkets Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">Smarkets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">10<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/smarkets-review\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Betting Exchange<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Modern Betting Platform<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Uniquely Designed Sportsbook<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Very Competitive Odds<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>New UK customers only. Min \u00a310 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of \u00a310 at min odds of 2.0 and get a \u00a310 Football Bet Builder token upon settlement. A \u00a310 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours. A \u00a35 Horse Racing Multiple token and a \u00a35 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Minimum 3 legs. Full T&amp;Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-central-midfielders-rodri-vs-fabian-ruiz-vs-leandro-paredes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Central midfielders: Rodri vs Fabian Ruiz vs Leandro Paredes<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"2yC0KXs6UbphxyzcBJaIm\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now here&#8217;s a surprise. Rodri has been one of Spain&#8217;s best players at the World Cup this summer. But he missed out in an interesting midfield matchup. The Spaniard is usurped by compatriot Fabian Ruiz, and Leandro Paredes, who will be the sole holiding player in Argentina&#8217;s midfield. That duo are pretty level, both winning four of the 10 key No.6 metrics. Now, Rodri does come out on top in two. He leads for his 3.2 tackles made per 90, and is among the best overall at the World Cup, as well as his 5.9 duels won. But as he isn&#8217;t the key passer of Spain&#8217;s midfield, Rodri loses out to Ruiz in those metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paredes does have the best passing stats of this trio. He has completed 94.83% of his passes at the World Cup so far, while averaging 31.3 forward passes per 90. Ruiz has completed 90.12% of his passes with 20.8 forward passes per 90, while Rodri has completed 92.91% of his passes and made 20.6 forward passes. Fabian has been cutting the ball out more, averaging 1.1 interceptions per 90, with 5.6 ball recoveries. Rodri suffers because that isn&#8217;t his role in Spain&#8217;s team &#8212; but he still manages more ball recoveries than Paredes. The Argentinian does win the battle for 2.1 clearances per 90, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winners: <\/strong>Fabian Ruiz and Leandro Paredes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-winger-lamine-yamal-vs-rodrigo-de-paul\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Right-winger: Lamine Yamal vs Rodrigo De Paul<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"DHNoba9krxreE0P3T1S2T\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Argentina, and Rodrigo De Paul, are hamstrung in the attacking positions for this combined XI due to their system. While De Paul does play on the right flank, he is very much a central midfielder pushed out wide. So he loses a fair few metrics. But it&#8217;s not a clean sweep for Lamine Yamal, who has been slowly getting up to speed after injury. De Paul is the more creative of the two, averaging 1.3 chances created and 0.3 assists per 90. Yamal has averaged 1.1 chances created per 90, without an assist. But Yamal is the bigger goal threat, with 1.9 shots on target per 90 and 0.2 goals. De Paul has only averaged 0.3 shots on target per 90 and is yet to score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a deeper starting position, De Paul might have been expected to best Yamal for his 0.5 through-balls per 90. But the Spaniard has averaged 0.6, asking questions of a different variety. Yamal has also completed 4.0 take-ons per 90 at the World Cup, with 52.38% success in them. While De Paul has won 100% of his attempted take-ons, it comes from a very low number. And Yamal is tough to stop, winning 1.5 fouls per 90 and boasting 9.3 touches in the opposition box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Lamine Yamal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-attacking-midfielder-dani-olmo-vs-enzo-fernandez\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Attacking midfielder: Dani Olmo vs Enzo Fernandez<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"LLhu8TdIhadlATbiMQrZg\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enzo Fernandez has found scoring form for Argentina of late, netting crucial goals to help <em>La Albiceleste<\/em> reach the final. Across the tournament as a whole, he has averaged 0.7 shots on target per 90, with 0.4 goals. That places him ahead of Dani Olmo, who is yet to score from his 0.3 shots on target per 90. But Olmo has had the better time creatively. The Spaniard has created 2.0 chances per 90 with 0.5 assists, while Fernandez is yet to provide an assist from his 0.7 chances created per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fernandez does also lead on passing accuracy, completing 93.91% of his attempts to Olmo&#8217;s 91.3% completion rate. And he&#8217;s averaged 4.3 ball recoveries to per 90 Olmo&#8217;s 3.3. But Olmo has been trickier on the ball. And that&#8217;s worked in his favour. The Spaniard has completed 1.1 take-ons per 90 at the World Cup this summer, winning 1.8 fouls. That&#8217;s compared to Fernandez&#8217;s 1.0 take-ons completed and 0.8 fouls won. Olmo also has more touches in the opposition box per 90, at 4.5 to 2.4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Dani Olmo<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381360\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381450\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#000000\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29204520\/1334062_1334062_smarkets-white-wordmark-no-padding.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Smarkets Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">Smarkets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/smarkets?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"Smarkets\"data-placement=\"bookmaker-offers-content-toplist\" data-rating=\"10\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">10<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/smarkets-review\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Betting Exchange<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Modern Betting Platform<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Uniquely Designed Sportsbook<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Very Competitive Odds<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>New UK customers only. Min \u00a310 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of \u00a310 at min odds of 2.0 and get a \u00a310 Football Bet Builder token upon settlement. A \u00a310 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours. A \u00a35 Horse Racing Multiple token and a \u00a35 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Minimum 3 legs. Full T&amp;Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-left-winger-alex-baena-vs-alexis-mac-allister\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Left-winger: Alex Baena vs Alexis Mac Allister<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"ZPIk0mD2C4Xq47wIj8sOI\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alexis Mac Allister suffers as De Paul did, due to a wider starting position. He only wins two of his matchups against Alex Baena, though things are very close across the board. Baena has averaged 0.9 shots on target per 90 at the World Cup this summer, slightly more than Mac Allister&#8217;s 0.6. It&#8217;s a similar score for goals and assists, with Baena&#8217;s 0.3 in each metric only just beating Mac Allister&#8217;s 0.2. But Baena has been a lot more creative, averaging 2.2 chances created per 90. Mac Allister has averaged 0.8 chances created per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the ball, Baena has completed 0.3 take-ons per 90 which places him just ahead of Mac Allister&#8217;s 0.2. But the Spaniard has actually been a lot less successful. He&#8217;s completed just 20% of his attempted take-ons, while Mac Allister has a 50% success rate. Mac Allister has also won more fouls per 90 at 1.5, though it&#8217;s only slightly more than Baena&#8217;s 1.4. Baena does average more touches in the opposition box, though, due to the more attacking nature of his role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Alex Baena<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-striker-mikel-oyarzabal-vs-lionel-messi-vs-julian-alvarez\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Striker: Mikel Oyarzabal vs Lionel Messi vs Julian Alvarez<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"4Bi04IE0e9W4o7hAv5cZQ\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This wasn&#8217;t even a contest. Lionel Messi has been arguably the best player of the World Cup, and he walks his way into this combined XI. The fact that Mikel Oyarzabal wins one the matchups against Messi and Julian Alvarez is admirable. But he has remarkably had 7.8 touches in the opposition box per 90, more than Messi&#8217;s 6.4. Of course, Messi has the freedom to roam from his position and has been more of a creator in recent weeks. That&#8217;s why his creative numbers are unrivalled. Messi has averaged 3.7 chances created per 90 at the World Cup, with 0.6 assists. That&#8217;s some way clear of both Oyarzabal and Alvarez combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things are slightly closer for shots, though Messi is still someway clear. The Argentine has averaged 4.1 shots excluding blocks per 90, with 2.7 on target. Oyarzabal, meanwhile, has averaged 3.4 shots excluding blocks per 90, hitting the target 1.9 times. Oyarzabal also has a very strong 0.9 goals per 90, but that&#8217;s not as good as Messi&#8217;s 1.2. Messi has the better conversion rate too, with 23.53%. But Oyarzabal isn&#8217;t too far behind, scoring with 22.73% of his shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winner: <\/strong>Lionel Messi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1469055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16125957\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to picked out an Spain vs Argentina Combined XI, ahead of this weekend&#8217;s World Cup Final. Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we\u2019ve chosen to compare are a combination of the teams&#8217; most-used XI at the World&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":1469061,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"spain vs argentina combined xi","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Spain vs Argentina Combined XI: Comparison Matrix makes the picks %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Spain vs Argentina Combined XI: We used our Comparison Matrix to put the best 11 players from the 2026 World Cup semi-final.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1469015","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ 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content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-argentina-combined-xi-comparison-matrix\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/16130652\/DaniOlmo16072026_ID3F1X23DCristianRomero16072026_ID3F22DN2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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