A Decade Ago, Cucurella Brought Lautaro Martínez to Tears

Football is inherently unpredictable, and World Cup finals often unearth hidden narratives worth revisiting. One such story hails from the 2016 COTIF tournament. This prestigious international competition for U20 teams, held annually in L'Alcúdia, saw two of the most prominent squads battle it out in the final.

The clash between Spain and Argentina promised an evening of high-quality football, and it delivered. Spain ultimately triumphed, staging a comeback despite conceding an early goal to a young talent who was later named the tournament's best player – Lautaro Martínez.

The match went into extra time, where Luis de la Fuente's side managed to turn the score around. A standout on the field was a full-back with an unforgettable hairstyle and a famous surname: Cucurella.

Almost a decade later, Lautaro and Cucurella are set to face each other again in a World Cup final. The Inter striker and the Real Madrid defender played crucial roles in guiding their respective teams to the monumental showdown in New York. Thousands of hours of dedication have led them from that summer international tournament to MetLife Stadium, where they will play the match of their lives in one of the most captivating World Cup finals in history.

Spain's 2016 title victory had a significant architect in Luis de la Fuente. He had already lifted the trophy with "La Roja" three years prior, and years later, he made the leap to the senior national team, where his results are evident to all. De la Fuente almost passed the baton to a young Argentine coach who was then taking his first steps. In 2018, Argentina won the tournament, led by a duo who would later reach the pinnacle of football. Scaloni and Aimar were on the touchline, guiding Argentina to the final, overcoming a surprising Russian team that was the dark horse of that edition.