Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, captain Lionel Messi, and goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez met with the media on Friday in New York City, just two days ahead of Argentina’s second consecutive World Cup final appearance.

Few considered Argentina – who are built around an aging core and led by a 39-year-old talisman – to make it this far. Yet the team has put together a string of heart-stopping, chaotic performances, capped off by a memorable and unexpected semi-final win over England, which set up a date with Spain on Sunday.

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In Spain, El Albiceleste will face a team that in many ways contrasts with Argentina. Where Argentina has thrived in chaos, Spain’s style is defined by possession and a meticulously organized defense that rarely falters. If Argentina’s route to the final has been filled with unpredictability, Spain’s has been systematic and a bit dull.

Yet Scaloni does not underestimate their opponents. He recognizes that facing Spain is likely to be Argentina’s toughest challenge yet, especially after Spain handled the World Cup favorites with ease in the semi-finals.

“If Spain leaves the hotel, I am already concerned,” said Scaloni. “Once they are on the bus and they leave the hotel, I am concerned. They are a great team. Everything concerns me about Spain.”

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Argentina is of course the defending World Cup champion, while Spain last lifted the trophy in 2010. Spain has no players with previous final experience, whereas Argentina boasts several. However, Scaloni does not regard Argentina’s recent experience as an advantage over a Spain team that has also faced significant pressure in key matches.

“They also have players who have played in globally big stages,” Scaloni noted. “And they are top players for their teams. So when it comes to pressure, when the ball starts rolling, players forget about this and they just focus on playing. They played a Euro final and a Nations League final. They also have a great deal of experience. I don’t think being in a final again plays in our favor.”

Spain, along with England and France, was widely expected to be contenders for the final. While Argentina remains a formidable side, they might not carry the same burden of expectation that those other teams do. Argentina’s path to the final has been tumultuous and emotionally charged – Scaloni has visibly teared up during their matches – but there is also a sense of freedom, which Scaloni, Martinez, and Messi all reflected on during Friday’s press conference.

“The best thing we have is that we’ve grown up in rough places playing ball,” said Scaloni. “Playing soccer and not thinking about what other people say. The pressure stays to the side, it’s not worth worrying about … [On Sunday, we need to] do what we’ve done since the beginning, just play ball and don’t even think about what could happen.”

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“What he said,” Messi added. “We grew up playing football with a lot of passion and with a lot of desire, all the time, wherever – in the school, the street, we played with little teams in our neighborhoods. We never thought of pressure. It always felt natural, the act of playing, of competing. This is a team sport, the rival always plays as well and you can’t always win. But since we were little, I learned that you lose more than you win. That made me grow a lot as a person and player.”

Win or lose, Sunday may end up being Messi’s final game for Argentina. Both Martinez and Scaloni were questioned about his legacy and current feelings, as they have been throughout the tournament. Scaloni redirected a reporter’s inquiry – “Ask Leo,” he replied – but acknowledged the importance of this match.

“He is pure history,” said Scaloni. “A legend. Reaching a final at 39 years of age is unbelievable. We must enjoy him as it happens. With Diego [Maradona], we miss him. But Messi is still with us. He is the history, he is the legend, and together with this group of people who have brought us these wonderful years, we’ll always remember him.”