There are plenty of cultural similarities between Spain and Argentina, but on the soccer field, they play entirely different genres.

Spain is a symphony: 11 players performing in perfect harmony under conductor Luis de la Fuente.

Argentina is heavy metal. They’re loud and chaotic, and certainly not everybody’s cup of tea, but there is no denying their energy. Especially when Lionel Messi steps to the front of the stage.

Both acts reached Sunday’s World Cup Final in New Jersey, but they took very different routes to get here.

While Spain was busy poetically dismantling tournament-favorites France in what was easily the most impressive performance of the World Cup, Argentina turned their tilt with England into a back-alley brawl. They set the tone early when Leandro Paredes clattered into English star Jude Bellingham in the second minute of the match.

It was the first of 19 fouls in the first 30 minutes of the match, and it unsettled England.

From there, Argentina didn’t pass up a chance to run through an English player. And when the time came for the defending champions to actually play, they did it with aplomb. Argentina had 88 percent of the possession after they fell behind 1-0 in the 55th minute, and a couple of moments of magic from Messi and his henchmen were enough to score La Albiceleste another famous victory.

All four of Argentina’s wins in the knockout stage have been dramatic. They needed extra time to oust Cape Verde and Switzerland, and in between those matches they dispatched Egypt in a controversial two-goal comeback.

Some would suggest Argentina has been lucky and on the right side of plenty of 50-50 refereeing decisions. Others are calling them the most resilient team in World Cup history.

But that’s besides the point for now. The important question for Sunday is whether La Albiceleste‘s blood-and-guts style will work against a Spanish side that rarely gets caught out of rhythm.

I have my doubts.

While Argentina was terrific in the second half of their match with England, the Three Lions are far more susceptible to the dark arts than La Roja. England’s midfield enjoys a scrap and were happy to engage with Messi’s henchmen.

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Spain’s midfield, led by the inimitable Rodri, will be happy to dance around any lunging Argentinians and keep this match at a simmer. If it boils over, La Roja will give up any advantage they have in this tilt.

Of course, one way to ensure that Argentina can’t spoil a contest is to keep the ball. No team is better at that than Spain, but this isn’t your uncle’s La Furia Roja that kills the tempo of the game with short, high-probability passes.

Under de la Fuente, Spain has been more willing to be direct and play the ball forward, which has kept defenses on their heels throughout their tournament.

Remarkably, Spain’s willingness to play with more risk hasn’t led to more goals against. They’ve conceded just one goal through their first seven matches, and they’ve allowed just 2.1 expected goals (xG) against.

Perhaps Messi can unlock Spain’s impassable backline with a moment of magic, but it’s hard to imagine that La Roja will fall victim to the same mistakes that England did in the semifinals.

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Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions were incredibly conservative, and didn’t put any pressure on Messi, allowing the best player ever to kick a soccer ball all day to pick them apart. Eventually, it cost them.

Spain’s unflappable defense, which is anchored by 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi, is much better equipped to mute Messi’s influence.

Argentina’s game plan Sunday will be to create a blood-and-thunder show with old-school physical play and classic South American tactics. However, no team is better equipped to weather that storm than Spain.

Bet on Spain to end Messi’s magical run.

The Play: Spain to lift the trophy (-152, FanDuel)

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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.