Spain vs Argentina – Bet Builder Tips | 18/1 odds and prediction

The Spain vs Argentina bet builder marks the end of the World Cup, as the two teams meet at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with the winners crowned as world champions.

Both nations were underdogs in their respective semi-finals, but they proved the bookmakers wrong with Spain beating France 2-0 and Argentina defeating England 2-1. 

Spain are the favourites to win the final, but with Argentina proving time and again that they don’t know when they’re beaten, a bet on the match winner market is worth avoiding.

Instead, I’ve picked out a bet builder with odds of 18/1, that is perfectly suited to a World Cup final that looks too close to call.

Spain vs Argentina match details

• Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
• Kick-off: 8pm BST
• Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
• Competition: FIFA World Cup Final
• TV channel: BBC1, BBC iPlayer, ITV1 and ITVX

Our 18/1 Bet Builder: Under 2.5 goals, Mikel Oyarzabal to score or assist, Alexis Mac Allister to register 1+ shots on target

My World Cup bet builder is a cracker at 18/1 and has a great chance of winning regardless of who lifts the trophy.

Spain has been defensively solid at this World Cup and goals should be at a premium in the final. The successful Spanish rearguard may also force Argentina to shoot from distance, bringing Alexis Mac Allister into play. 

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal is in good form. He is a creative footballer who offers more than just goals, so I’ve gone for him to score or assist. 

Tote are offering 18/1 on this wager, which is marginally better than the 17/1 on offer from Betfred and the 16/1 available at SBK.

Place this 18/1 bet builder with Tote

Spain vs Argentina bet builder breakdown

Under 2.5 goals

Why: World Cup finals are usually cautious matches, France did buck that trend in the last two, but they aren’t playing in this match.

Stat: Spain’s knockout matches have averaged 2.25 goals per game. They are likely to dominate possession and dictate the flow of the match.

Mikel Oyarzabal to score or assist

Why: Oyarzabal has a tremendous scoring record for Spain over the past 12 months. He is also their penalty taker and showed no sign of nerves executing his spotkick against France.

Stat: The Real Sociedad striker has scored five goals and registered one assist at the 2026 World Cup. He has contributed to goals in three of Spain’s matches.

Alexis Mac Allister to register 1+ shot on target

Why: Alexis Mac Allister has popped up in attacking positions on many occasions during the World Cup and has looked a goal threat from midfield.

Stat: The Liverpool midfielder is having an impressive World Cup and has hit the target in his last three matches for Argentina.

Place this 18/1 bet builder with Tote

How to place this Spain vs Argentina bet builder

If you need help placing your bet builder, then follow these simple steps below: 

• Open your Tote app and navigate to the 2026 World Cup section
• Find the Spain vs Argentina match 
• Click on the Bet Builder and add our three selections

The combined odds of 18/1 should appear on your bet slip along with the three selections. When you’re happy that everything looks right, submit your bet. 

There is still just about time to check out our World Cup betting offers page to see if you can find enhanced odds on any of your World Cup final bets. You can also use the bookmakers listed to compare odds and potentially find better value for your wagers.

Stats that matter for your bet

• Under 2.5 goals: Spain has conceded just one goal in seven matches at the World Cup. They have also scored 13 goals at an average of 1.85 goals per game.
• Mikel Oyarzabal to score or assist: Oyarzabal has scored or assisted in 14 of the 19 Spain matches he has been involved in since the beginning of 2025.
• Alexis Mac Allister to register 1+ shot on target: Mac Allister has had 13 shots at the World Cup, with nine of them headers.
• Additional information: Spain are 37 matches unbeaten if you discount their penalty shootout loss in the 2025 Nations League final.

Why we are backing this bet builder

We’ve already pointed out that Spain doesn’t concede many goals, and while it’s true that Argentina’s matches have all seen plenty of goals, we expect Spain to dominate the ball and dictate the play, which is why we’re siding with under 2.5 goals.

Spain finally has a reliable goalscorer in Mikel Oyarzabal. Okay, he might not be as clinical as Mbappe, Haaland or Kane, but he has scored 17 goals in his last 19 matches for Spain, as well as registering seven assists.  

The third leg of the bet builder is based on two possible scenarios. If Spain can dominate the ball and keep the defending champions at bay, the Argentine midfield will be encouraged to shoot from distance, something they are not shy about doing.

Mac Allister’s chances of registering a shot on target will also increase if Argentina can get a foothold in the game. 

The Liverpool midfielder found himself in advanced positions many times in the matches against England, Switzerland and Egypt. He was on target against the Swiss and was unfortunate not to score in the wins over Egypt and England.  

He only has to register one shot on target for this section of the bet to win.

Spain vs Argentina odds

Spain are 27/20 with Tote to get the win in regulation time and 4/6 to lift the trophy,

Argentina are 23/10 to win in 90 minutes and 11/10 to beat the Spanish by any method and retain the title they won against France on penalties in 2022.

The draw is tight at 21/20, with Spain at 8/1 to win the tie in extra-time and the same odds to win on penalties. Argentina are 10/1 to win in extra-time and 8/1 to win on penalties.

• Spain to win – 27/20 with Tote
• Draw with – 21/20 with SBK
• Argentina to win – 23/10 with Betfred

Spain vs Argentina match prediction and line-ups

It’s the European champions against the South American champions, two contrasting styles, an emerging superstar on one team and arguably the greatest player of all time on the other. This looks like the perfect World Cup final on paper.

Given the teams look evenly matched, the game is perfect for a bet builder. Spain were the underdogs in their semi-final against France, based more on the French firepower, but the Spanish managed to find a way to successfully nullify it.

Argentina were the underdogs against England, based on England’s strong squad and ability to change matches from the bench. In the end it was the Argentinian bench that won the game for them, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham somewhat subdued.

Both Spain and Argentina got their tactics spot on in their semi-final matches. Spain squeezed France and kept Michael Olise out of the game, Argentina frustrated England and then hit them with a barrage that Thomas Tuchel’s team couldn’t deal with in the final 25 minutes. 

The winner of the final will probably be decided by who gets their tactics right. Spain are the better team and know how to play without the ball. If they can repeat that against Argentina, they should be too strong for their South American opponents. 

However, Argentina have answered every question asked of them in this competition to date, and it would be foolish to think they haven’t got another gameplan to overcome Spain. 

Expect this one to go deep and to be decided by fine margins. We can see a draw in normal time, with the Spanish edging it in extra-time.

Prediction:

• Spain to win in extra-time
• Mikel Oyarzabal to score or assist
• Under 2.5 goals

Spain predictions: Such is the strength of this Spanish lineup there is no room in the midfield engine room for Pedri. 

Head coach Luis de la Fuente has no reason to change anything and should stick with a midfield of Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo playing just ahead of Rodri in a 4-3-3 system.

• Predicted XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian, Olmo; Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal.

Argentina predictions: Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni made one change for the England match from the team that beat Switzerland in the previous round, leaving out Rodrigo De Paul for Giuliano Simeone. The World Cup winning boss has to decide whether to stick with Simeone or bring back De Paul.

Unless he makes a dramatic tactical shift to face the Spanish, Scaloni should stick with his 4-4-2 system. Lautaro Martinez, the match winner against England, will again probably have to be content with a place on the bench, with Julian Alvarez starting up front alongside Messi.

• Predicted XI: Emi Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; Paredes, Simeone, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Alvarez, Messi.

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About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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