Argentina or Spain? England legend John Terry makes World Cup final prediction

Chelsea and England legend John Terry has revealed his prediction for the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

Spain booked their place in Sunday’s final in New Jersey with a hugely impressive 2-0 win over tournament favourites France.

France were widely expected to reach the final as the standout team during the World Cup but were outplayed by European champions Spain.

Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal gave Spain the lead with a penalty midway through the first half that was won by 19-year-old Lamine Yamal.

France, who were bidding to reach a third successive World Cup final, could not get back into the game, with Pedro Porro’s second-half goal all but putting the tie to bed.

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain will face Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece event after the defending champions came from behind to beat England in the second semi-final.

Argentina were heading out as the match approached injury-time after Anthony Gordon gave England, attempting to end 60 years of hurt, the lead after half-time.

But Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez equalised with a strike from the edge of the box before Lautaro Martinez headed home an injury-time winner to send Argentina through.

While Terry was impressed by the ‘grit’ Argentina showed against England and says anything is possible with all-time great Lionel Messi in the side, the legendary defender expect Spain to lift the World Cup trophy.

‘Being present at both semi-finals, I have to say, for me, I have Spain as the favourites,’ Terry, who won five Premier League titles at Chelsea and earned 78 England caps, said on Sports Uncensored.

‘Both sides are very, very comfortable with the ball and in possession. But I just look at Argentina last night, everything went down their right with Lionel Messi.

‘Any time they switched over to the left, it very quickly came back down the right. Marc Cucurella was man of the match the other night in the first semi-final and Spain look very strong down the left-hand side.

‘Also, not conceding against France and barely conceding in the World Cup is incredible. They’ve got too much for Argentina in my opinion.

‘Argentine are a big, big threat and as we’ve seen throughout this World Cup they find a way. When you’ve got that magician in Messi you will always have a chance and an opportunity.

‘But I just think Spain will be too good for this Argentina side. Saying that I do think they showed a side last night which not many teams have, that grit and toughness.

‘What I loved about them against England actually was after any tackle all the players would be over and causing a bit of a scuffle.

‘They were so together, they’ve got grit about them, but I still think Spain will edge it.’

Scottish football icon Graeme Souness also views Spain as marginal favourites ahead of the World Cup final.

‘I think it’s a hard one to call,’ he said. ‘We’ve seen what Argentina are about.

‘At the start of the game they try to niggle you into thinking about different things rather than concentration on your game.

‘Spain, for me, are the favourites but I find it really hard to rule out Argentina because they can dig deep, you write them off at your peril.

‘I put Spain as the slight favourites but having played against plenty of Argentinian players, I know how mentally tough they are. They are proper footballers from a tough nation.

‘I think it’s a nip and tuck game, a really hard one to call.’ 

Argentina are aiming to win their fourth World Cup and became only the third team to win retain the trophy.

Spain, meanwhile, are looking to become two-time champions following their first World Cup victory in 2010.

The two losing semi-finalists, England and France, will go head-to-head in an underwhelming World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday.

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