Michael Owen: Argentina got very lucky on World Cup run —‘Spain are much better’

Former England striker Michael Owen has launched a scathing assessment of Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, insisting the defending champions have been “very lucky” and that Spain are a “much better” team heading into Sunday’s showpiece at MetLife Stadium.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner did not hold back. “Argentina have had a pretty fortunate path to the semi-finals,” Owen declared. “They struggled to get past Cape Verde, they struggled to get past Egypt, and they’ve been scoring goals in the last minute”.

Argentina survived a major scare against Cape Verde in the round of 32, winning 3-2, before coming from 2-0 down against Egypt in the round of 16. They then needed extra time to overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Owen reserved particular frustration for England’s own semi-final collapse in Atlanta. England led 1-0 through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike, but Enzo Fernández equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed home a 92nd-minute winner.

“We probably let them through rather than them beating us,” Owen said. “I don’t think they’ve been very impressive throughout the tournament”.

Owen, who scored one of England’s most famous goals against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, contrasted the Albiceleste’s struggles with Spain’s dominance. “Spain have impressed,” he insisted. “That performance against France was pure class. It was a very serious performance against a great opponent”. Spain beat France 2-0 in the other semi-final.

“I think Spain are a lot better than Argentina,” Owen concluded. “I hope they win the World Cup, and that they do it deservedly”.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United striker has also been highly critical of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in the semi-final defeat. Writing on X, Owen questioned: “Bringing on 3 defenders at 1-0 up. What message does that send?”.

Owen added: “We are a better team than Argentina, I’ve no doubt in my mind. But we deserved to get beat in the end. In fact, it could have been 4-1”.

England will face France in Saturday’s third-place playoff, while Argentina and Spain contest Sunday’s final.