Rafa Benítez believes that Argentina reached the World Cup final against Spain thanks to favorable refereeing.

“Spain plays beautifully, has incredible defensive skills, and Rodri provides balance and allows the rest of the team to perform at a very high level. Argentina’s resilience is unmatched. When it seems on the verge of collapse, it always manages to bounce back with a burst of energy. However, the favorable calls in its favor have been decisive,” emphasized the Spanish coach.

As for the great rivalry between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, he said: “It’s not impossible to compare them, although so far Messi has contributed more than Lamine, who arrived with some niggles, but it seems to me that he’s picking up the pace. Historically speaking, Leo is clearly ahead. But history can be rewritten. Messi makes everything look easier, but against England, it was Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez who decided the game.”

The former Panathinaikos coach doesn’t dare to predict tonight’s winner. “You never know. I’m Spanish and I’d like Spain to win, but Argentina has proven many times that it knows how to compete. It’s better not to take a stand, to avoid making a mistake,” he said.

*photo source: KYPE