Spain's defense to Messi: "No one will get through!"

If Lionel Messi and Argentina are to win back-to-back World Cup titles against Spain, they will have to find a way to break down one of the toughest defenses in the tournament's history. Spain's run to the final at East Rutherford was a triumph of team spirit, with every element of Luis de la Fuente's meticulously crafted machine contributing. But while the fluid midfield control of Rodri, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Fabian Ruiz grabbed the headlines, the cornerstone of Spain's success was their defense. The back four of new Real Madrid signing Marc Cucurella at left-back, center-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Kubarsi, right-back Pedro Porro, and goalkeeper Unai Simon behind them, conceded just one goal in seven matches. Another clean sheet at MetLife Stadium would give Spain the record for the fewest goals conceded in a successful World Cup campaign, a record currently held by France (1998), Italy (2006), and Spain (2010) with just two goals conceded.