Spain and Argentina clash for world supremacy, Paquito’s last dance: “I feel privileged”. Chingotto’s respect: “Galán? They have three teams”

Juanjo Gutiérrez: “If I had to choose, this is the strongest Spain team I have coached, even with Galán and others missing”. In the biggest final in world padel, Augsburger is ready: “I’d love to play the decisive point, like two years ago”. Tapia: “Me and Chingo? I love playing with him”. Lebrón: “We have the new generations here and we’re enjoying every moment. Nervous? Yes, but also happy to be here”. Italy and Portugal will meet in the third-place play-off, just as they did two years ago.

 

 

DOHA – Two 2-0 victories and the stage is set for the eternal showdown between the two rivals: the FIP World Cup final will be Argentina-Spain, the reigning champions against their great rivals. The winners of the last two editions, Argentina, will face the team determined to dethrone them. The semi-finals were entertaining, but ultimately followed the expected script. Portugal took a set off Yanguas-Goñi. Italy suffered a clear defeat against Argentina, but remained competitive even with debutant Brambilla facing Chingotto-Tapia, putting up much more of a fight than the final scoreline (6-3 6-2) might suggest. There was never any doubt about the identity of the finalists: two teams that look as though they have stepped straight out of a Marvel film about padel. Heroes and superheroes, in other words. To find out who will be the good guys – in the sense of the team lifting the FIP World Cup 2026 trophy on the Centre Court at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex – we will have to wait until Saturday at 18:00 local time (16:00 CET), when teammates will become opponents: Coello against Tapia, or Lebrón against Augsburger, alongside all the others.

 

On a completely sold-out Grand Stand 1, the match between the Deus brothers and Yanguas-Goñi was a spectacular contest. One hour and 38 minutes of high-quality padel (including the outstanding Spanish fair-play gesture covered in a separate article), with the Spaniards having to fight their way back into the match before closing it out in three sets, 4-6 6-3 6-2. While Mike Yanguas and Aimar Goñi were battling the Portuguese, Leo Augsburger and Martín Di Nenno wrapped up their match against Italy’s top-ranked pair, Abbate-Montiel, with a double 6-1 in 50 minutes on Centre Court. Argentina then made it 2-0 thanks to Chingotto-Tapia‘s 6-3 6-2 victory over. On the Grand Stand, Graça-Araujo suffered the same fate, losing in two sets to El Lobo Lebrón and Paquito Navarro, 6-2 6-4. The final will therefore be Argentina-Spain, while Italy and Portugal will meet again in the third-place play-off at 11.30 local time (09.30 CET), just as they did two years ago, with the world bronze medal at stake.

 

 

Speaking about the impact of Galán’s absence, his partner Chingotto said: “He is an important player for them, but people have always said that Spain could field three consecutive teams, all made up of outstanding players. This match remains a 50-50 contest”. Tapia echoed his teammate’s diplomatic approach: “What is different compared with the national team two years ago? The eight best players were there then, and the eight best players are here today”. Two years ago, Chingotto-Tapia secured the point that levelled the final and paved the way for Argentina’s triumph. And what about tomorrow? “I really enjoy playing with him. If it happens again, I’d be delighted”. Augsburger added: “I’d love to play the second or third point. Being able to help decide the final, as I did two years ago, would be incredible”.

 

After hearing from the Argentinians, it was Spain’s turn. Paquito explained the background to the outstanding fair-play gesture (covered in a separate article) that handed Portugal the first set in the opening match: “There was some doubt about whether Aimar Goñi had touched the ground with his racket in the opponents’ court. From where we were, it looked like he had, but Arturo (Coello) was the one who took a closer look and was certain about what had happened. So the credit goes to him”. Then came a particularly emotional moment as Navarro reflected on what could be his last appearance for Spain: “My first call-up was in 2008 in Calgary… Whatever happens tomorrow, I have been and still am privileged to have worn this shirt alongside these players. Whether I play or not, I will enjoy every second”.

 

 

For Juanjo Gutiérrez, who has led Spain at four World Cups, the team taking on Argentina tomorrow is “the strongest I have coached, looking at the overall level of the players and their technical condition. We have players who could not be here and, if they were available, the level would be even higher. Considering the quality of the players and their current form, I choose this team”.

 

Lebrón, one of the leaders of this national team alongside Paquito, spoke with the authority of an experienced player while paying tribute to the younger generation: “We are delighted to have this new generation of players with us: Yanguas, Aimar, Javi Leal, Koki and Arturo, who is still very young but is already a reference point for all of us as the world number one. We always try to give them confidence and make them believe they can become champions. We should also try to enjoy this moment, which may not last forever. Tomorrow, when we arrive by bus, there will certainly be nerves and tension, but we have to be happy, go out there and enjoy ourselves, and do what we know how to do. And they know how to do it very, very well”.

 

One thing is certain: whatever happens tomorrow, it will be a truly special occasion.