Argentina and Spain picked out songs for each time they score a goal in the World Cup and for when they win their matches. We have a preview of what fans may hear during today’s final.
Transcript
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
The FIFA World Cup comes to a close this afternoon. Argentina and Spain will face off in New Jersey with the championship on the line. If you tune into the game and Spain scores, you’ll likely hear this song.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “DESPECHA”)
ROSALIA: (Singing in Spanish).
RASCOE: That’s “Despecha” by Spanish superstar Rosalia. Her song was one of two chosen by Spain’s national team to play in the stadium every time they score a goal. In this tournament, national teams chose the music for certain moments – like when they warm up, when they score and, of course, for victories.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LA CUMBIA DE LOS TRAPOS”)
YERBA BRAVA: (Speaking Spanish).
RASCOE: Argentina also went with homegrown artists, mostly cumbias from Buenos Aires. That’s “La Cumbia De Los Trapos” by Yerba Brava, one of Argentina’s victory songs. With Lionel Messi on your team, you get to celebrate a lot. Now, the U.S. was eliminated in the round of 16. But if you’re wondering about their goal music, here’s a southern rock classic with a new twist.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “FREE BIRD”)
MOONLIGHT: (Singing) Lord, I can’t change. Won’t you fly high…
RASCOE: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” remixed by DJ MOONLIGHT.
(SOUNDBITE OF MOONLIGHT SONG, “FREE BIRD”)
Copyright © 2026 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary. Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org may be edited after its original broadcast or publication. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
