The 2026 World Cup final was billed as a meeting of the two best teams on the planet. Through 45 minutes at MetLife Stadium, it produced three shots — all from Spain — and none from the defending champions.
Spain and Argentina reached halftime scoreless in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in a cagey affair that kicked off six minutes late after a pre-match ceremony featuring Robbie Williams and Tom Cruise, plus logistical delays tied to the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump. Once play began, Spain held 64.6 percent of possession and registered every shot on goal. Argentina registered zero.
Lionel Scaloni’s side committed more fouls in the opening 45 minutes than they completed passes in the final third of the pitch. That ratio — fouls exceeding attacking output — is not a metric any coach designs around, but it mirrors the approach that carried Argentina past England in the semifinal: make the game a fight, not a football match.
Lamine Yamal nearly broke the deadlock inside five minutes, forcing a save from Emi Martínez after interplay with Dani Olmo. That was the high-water mark for entertainment. Mikel Oyarzabal tested Martínez from outside the box in the