Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni meet in the World Cup final on Sunday, creating a “master and apprentice” matchup. Multiple outlets describe their long-running coaching connection: de la Fuente previously served as a teacher for Scaloni when Scaloni was training for his coaching qualifications. The Buenos Aires Times notes that nine years ago Scaloni was pursuing a coaching path as a former professional player and studied for his pro licence around the outskirts of Madrid. De la Fuente is identified as the teacher on that course. NDTV frames the final as a contest between de la Fuente and his former student, emphasizing that the coaches’ shared history centers on mentorship and professional development. With both teams reaching the final, the matchup highlights the contrast between their current roles—experienced national-team managers—while pointing back to their earlier relationship in Spain. The sources agree on the coaches involved, their prior connection through a coaching licence course, and that they face each other in Sunday’s World Cup final.