A thick, hazardous smog from Canadian wildfires has cast an ashy cloud over Manhattan and seeped across the Hudson River to East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain and Argentina will contest the World Cup final on Sunday. The air quality at MetLife Stadium, the 82,500-seater venue home of the New York Giants and Jets, is currently listed as “very unhealthy”, and Argentina supporters arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal were handed complimentary high-filtration respiratory masks. FIFA insist they are relaxed that the smoke will disperse during Saturday’s rain showers before Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic blows his whistle.
Vincic, who officiated the shock defeat that the holders suffered earlier in the tournament, will take charge of a match that pits Lionel Messi – on eight goals and chasing his first World Cup Golden Boot – against teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. This could be Messi’s last international appearance, and Argentina are seeking to become the first country to retain the trophy on a different continent and the first since 1962 to win it back-to-back. “We know very well in Spain how he can make the difference at any point in the game,” former Spain captain Cesar Azpilicueta said, recalling how Messi changed position against England.
“Smog from Canadian wildfires chokes New York ahead of World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.”
Spain, who won Euro 2024, bring a 37-game unbeaten run into the final. Their first match of the tournament was a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, but they did not panic, Azpilicueta said, and they have not been behind in any of their seven games. “The strength of this Spain team is in the group, and in their mentality,” he added. “They have an identity they believe in, which means they always keep doing the same things.” Spain beat France in the semi-final after taking an early lead, staying positive rather than trying to hold on.
These two sides were originally scheduled to meet in the Finalissima – a match between the European and Copa America champions – but UEFA confirmed in March that the fixture in Qatar was cancelled due to escalating tensions and conflict in the Middle East. Now they meet for the ultimate prize. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was actually Lionel Scaloni’s mentor when the Argentina coach completed his UEFA Pro Licence course. “Everyone in Spain is feeling confident,” Azpilicueta said, “but of course Argentina will feel exactly the same way.”
