1. 27 March 2018 (Friendly): Spain 6-1 Argentina
The most recent meeting was an absolute demolition. In a pre-2018 World Cup friendly in Madrid, Spain handed Argentina a humiliating 6-1 defeat. A Messi-less Argentina, with the superstar watching injured from the stands, was torn apart. Isco was the hero
for Spain, scoring a magnificent hat-trick, with Diego Costa, Thiago Alcantara, and Iago Aspas also finding the net. Nicolas Otamendi’s header was the only consolation for a shell-shocked Argentine side. This result sent shockwaves through world football, highlighting Spain's prowess and Argentina’s deep-seated issues at the time.
2. 7 September 2010 (Friendly): Argentina 4-1 Spain
In a complete reversal of fortunes, this match saw Argentina thrash a freshly crowned World Champion Spain in Buenos Aires. Just two months after lifting the World Cup in South Africa, a Spanish side missing some key starters was humbled 4-1. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, and Carlos Tevez all scored in a first-half blitz. Fernando Llorente pulled one back for Spain late on, but Sergio Agüero added a fourth for Argentina in injury time, sealing a famous victory.
3. 14 November 2009 (Friendly): Spain 2-1 Argentina
Played in Madrid, this friendly was a tight affair between two talented squads. Spain, the reigning European champions, edged out Argentina with a late winner. Xabi Alonso gave Spain the lead, but an equaliser from Lionel Messi on the penalty spot seemed to have secured a draw for the visitors. However, another penalty was awarded to Spain in the dying minutes, which Xabi Alonso coolly converted to grab his second goal and a 2-1 victory for the home side.
4. 11 October 2006 (Friendly): Spain 2-1 Argentina
This was the first meeting between the two nations in seven years, played in Murcia, Spain. The home side secured another narrow 2-1 victory. A young Andres Iniesta was a key figure for Spain. The goals came from Xavi Hernandez and a late David Villa penalty. It was a match that showcased the emerging golden generation of Spanish football that would go on to dominate the world stage just a few years later.
5. 17 November 1999 (Friendly): Spain 0-2 Argentina
In a friendly match held in Seville, it was Argentina who came out on top. Goals from Kily Gonzalez and Mauricio Pochettino secured a comfortable 2-0 win for the South Americans. This victory for Argentina marked a period where they held the upper hand in the rivalry, showcasing a team filled with stars from Europe's top leagues.
6. 20 September 1995 (Friendly): Spain 2-1 Argentina
Playing at the Vicente Calderón in Madrid, Spain managed to get the better of a star-studded Argentine team that included players like Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone. A goal from Juan Antonio Pizzi and an own goal were enough for Spain to claim a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought friendly contest.
7. 12 October 1988 (Copa de la Hispanidad): Spain 1-1 Argentina
This match was part of a friendly tournament and ended in a 1-1 draw in Seville. Argentina were the reigning world champions at the time, having won the 1986 World Cup led by the legendary Diego Maradona, though he did not feature in this particular game. The result was a respectable one for a Spanish side testing its strength against the world's best.
8. 12 October 1974 (Copa de la Hispanidad): Argentina 1-1 Spain
Fourteen years earlier, in another edition of the same friendly cup played in Buenos Aires, the two teams again shared the spoils with an identical 1-1 scoreline. These matches, while only friendlies, were always intense affairs, carrying the weight of pride for two passionate footballing nations.
9. 11 October 1972 (Copa de la Hispanidad): Spain 1-0 Argentina
The early 70s saw the teams meet in a friendly tournament, with Spain securing a tight 1-0 victory on home soil in Madrid. These games were often tactical and cagey, and this result was a significant morale booster for the Spanish against a formidable South American opponent.
10. 13 July 1966 (World Cup Group Stage): Argentina 2-1 Spain
The only time the two nations have met in a World Cup before our hypothetical 2026 final was in the 1966 group stage in England. On that day, Argentina emerged as 2-1 victors, with a double from Luis Artime helping to eliminate Spain from the tournament. It remains a significant result in the history books of this long and storied rivalry.
